Luke 1:46 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,

NIV: And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord

NASB: And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord,

CSB: And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord,

NLT: Mary responded, 'Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

KJV: And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

NKJV: And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

When the angel Gabriel approached an unmarried virgin (Luke 1:26–27), she responded to his amazing news (Luke 1:31–33) with humility and obedience (Luke 1:38). The angel's message included references to Old Testament prophecy (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 9:6–7). Those predictions were about the birth of the Messiah, who Mary will bear and name Jesus. The song Mary recites in this passage (Luke 1:47–55) is sometimes called "The Magnificat," and it demonstrates her familiarity with the Old Testament. Several of her comments either quote or refer to Scripture. The first part of her speech sounds very much like 1 Samuel 2:1–10. This is an example of a woman rejoicing over expecting a child.

Mary went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, as soon as she heard of her own pregnancy. Both Elizabeth and her unborn child reacted to the presence of the also-unborn Savior (Luke 1:41–42). Mary's reply here echoes that joyful response. It also continues the humble, faithful attitude she expressed when she was first visited by Gabriel.

To "magnify" God is to extoll, proclaim, celebrate, or approve of Him. This same attitude is expressed elsewhere in Scripture (Psalm 34:3; 1 Chronicles 17:23–24; Acts 10:46).

Mary's declaration also includes her admission of a need for salvation. Contrary to suggestions that she was sinless, or a component of God's forgiveness, Mary clearly notes that God is her "Savior" (Luke 1:47).

Luke 1:39–56 contains Mary's visit with her relative, Elizabeth, and her resulting praise of God. Both women are miraculously pregnant. Despite her old age, Elizabeth is several months pregnant with a boy who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 1:13). Mary, a virgin, has recently learned that God has conceived in her the Messiah, to be named Jesus (Luke 1:31). The unborn John reacts when he hears Mary's voice. Mary responds to this with extensive praise of God, calling Him her "Savior." After staying for a while—possibly until the birth of John—Mary returns home.

The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.