Luke 1:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

NIV: for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.

NASB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

CSB: because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.

NLT: For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.

KJV: For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

NKJV: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

When the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary (Luke 1:26–27), he made references to prophetic statements about the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7; 2 Samuel 7:12–16). His description of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31–33) was not lost on Mary. Not only did she respond in humility and faith (Luke 1:28), but she also seems to have grasped the meaning of the angel's words. As she celebrates the news with her relative, Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–42), Mary demonstrates familiarity with Scripture. Her song of praise—sometimes called "The Magnificat"—includes many quotes and allusions to the Old Testament (Luke 1:46–55).

In the early part of her speech, Mary humbly worshipped God for His role as her Savior (Luke 1:46–47). Her words echoed some of Hannah's prayer to God, as she asked for a child in 1 Samuel 1:11 and celebrated an answer to prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1. Here, she again gives all credit for this miracle to God. She acknowledges God's power (Psalm 50:1; 62:7; 106:2) and holiness (Exodus 15:11; Leviticus 20:26; Psalm 99:5).

As this song continues, Mary will speak of God's use of the Messiah in the present tense. This is a common technique in psalms, in prophecy, and in praise of God. That which He promises to do will certainly be done—His decree is a guarantee. Many of God's messages declare his future acts as if they were already happening. In a similar way, Mary's celebration of Messiah's influence takes on the "as good as done" tone.

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.