Luke 1:49
What does Luke 1:49 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:49 means
Mary praises God for doing great things and declares his name holy. She attributes mighty deeds to God and reverence to his character. Calling God “holy” emphasizes his moral perfection and separateness; praising “great things” underscores God’s active intervention in history. Mary’s thanksgiving is theological, seeing the events not in isolation but as manifestations of God’s mighty and holy action directed toward salvation and mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For he who is strong has done great things for me; and holy is his name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For He who is mighty did to me great things, And holy <FI>is<Fi> His name,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the Mighty One has done to me great things, and holy [is] his name;
Context
This verse continues the Magnificat’s praise, connecting God’s acts to his holy name. Having spoken of personal blessing, Mary enlarges the scope to God’s mighty deeds. The subsequent verses describe the nature of God’s actions—mercy, strength, and social reversal—grounding praise in specific historical and ethical outcomes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 2:2
There is none holy as Jehovah; For there is none besides thee, Neither is there any rock like our God.
- Isaiah 63:1
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
- Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.
- Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Psalms 111:9
He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.
- Psalms 99:9
Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his holy hill; For Jehovah our God is holy.
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