Luke 1:54 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

NIV: He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

NASB: He has given help to His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

CSB: He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy

NLT: He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.

KJV: He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

NKJV: He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

These words are part of Mary's song of praise, sometimes called "The Magnificat." This began (Luke 1:46) in reply to her relative, Elizabeth, who was celebrating Mary's role in bearing Jesus Christ (Luke 1:39–42). While acknowledging her need for a Savior (Luke 1:47), Mary has also made many references to the Old Testament. Some are in the form of quotations. Others are echoes of biblical ideas. These not only praise God for what He has done (Luke 1:51; Psalm 89:13), and who He is (Luke 1:49; Psalm 50:1; Exodus 15:11), they also celebrate how the Messiah will accomplish these things on an eternal scale (Luke 1:52–53; Revelation 21:1–5).

Prophecies about a Promised One were centered around the nation of Israel. This Messiah was to come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) and the family line of David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). He would fully accomplish the promises made to Jewish ancestors such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Isaiah 9:6–7). Isaiah records God referring to Israel as His servant and promising not to forsake the nation (Isaiah 44:21). This once again demonstrates the mercy God shows (Psalm 25:6; 86:15) to those who trust and honor Him (Deuteronomy 5:10; Psalm 103:17).

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.