Mary, recently told she would bear the very Son of God (Luke 1:26–33), is celebrating with her relative, Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–42). Her initial response to an angelic message was humility and obedience (Luke 1:38). The extended praise she offers in this passage has become known as "The Magnificat." Most of this speech quotes or alludes to passages in the Old Testament, including Hannah's celebration when she learned she would bear the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1–10).

A key point here is that Mary refers to God as her "Savior." When Gabriel first appeared, he described Mary—very specifically, in Greek grammar—as a recipient of God's grace (Luke 1:28). False belief and poor translation have suggested Mary was "full of grace" and that she passes along grace to others. For her part, Mary clearly understood she was a sinner in need of salvation (Psalm 35:9). Her song of praise declares what God does, and how He saves, without suggesting that she is an active part in that process. She is honored and happy to obey God's plan and follow His will.

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.

Accessed 5/13/2024 10:48:08 AM

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