Devine Scripture

Luke 1:48

What does Luke 1:48 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:48 means

Mary says God has looked on her lowliness and declares that future generations will call her blessed. She recognizes God’s condescension to the humble and anticipates eternal remembrance. The phrase acknowledges both personal humility and communal memory: God lifts the lowly, and generations will honor the instrument of his mercy. Theologically, it underscores God’s preference for the humble and his habit of reversing worldly expectations in fulfillment of his covenantal purposes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For he has had pity on his servant, though she is poor and lowly placed: and from this hour will all generations give witness to the blessing which has come to me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he has looked upon the low estate of his bondmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Context

This verse reflects Mary’s theological interpretation of her state: God’s favor toward the lowly draws future blessing upon her. It fits the Magnificat’s pattern of social reversal and covenant focus. The following verses develop this theme with concrete examples of how God acts toward the proud, the hungry, the rich, and Israel.

v.47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

v.48This passage

v.49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 102:17

    He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

  • Psalms 138:6

    For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.

  • Isaiah 66:2

    For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.

  • Luke 1:42

    and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

  • Luke 11:27

    And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck.

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