Luke 1:50
What does Luke 1:50 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:50 means
Mary affirms God’s mercy endures for generations on those who fear him. Mercy is presented as long-lasting covenant faithfulness toward the faithful, not merely a one-time act. Reverence for God correlates with experiencing his mercy. The generational scope connects current events to God’s promises made to ancestors, highlighting continuity in God’s saving plan and encouraging enduring trust and worship among those who honor him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949His mercy is for all generations in whom is the fear of him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And His kindness <FI>is<Fi> to generations of generations, To those fearing Him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and his mercy [is] to generations and generations to them that fear him.
Context
This verse continues the Magnificat’s trophy of God’s characteristics—now mercy over generations. It ties Mary’s personal experience to covenant faithfulness through time. The following lines move into God’s mighty deeds and social reversals that accompany his mercy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 103:11
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is his lovingkindness toward them that fear him.
- Psalms 103:17
But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;
- Psalms 31:19
Oh how great is thy goodness, Which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, Which thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in thee, Before the sons of men!
- Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
- Psalms 115:13
He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great.
- Revelation 19:5
And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.
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