Luke 1:54

Translations

Modern

He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,

Traditional

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

Literal

He took hold of Israel His servant, remembering mercy,

Latin

Suscepit Israël puerum suum, recordatus misericordiæ suæ:

Original

Greek

English

He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,

Notes

Luke 1:54–55

Gabriel’s words in 1:32–33 refer back to God’s promise to King David. Here, Mary refers to God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; 17:3–8).
The arrival of Jesus brought glory to Israel and salvation to Gentiles (see Luke 2:32).

Luke 1:46–55

Mary’s song is the first of three songs of praise in the birth story of Jesus. It is called the Magnificat (Latin for “magnifies”). The song has many similarities to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10.

The fact that God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes is a common theme throughout Luke’s Gospel. The coming of God’s kingdom brings salvation to rejected and outcast people.

Theme notes and profiles

Mary, Mother of Jesus Angels God’s Unified Plan of Salvation Making Sense of the Exile Praise and Rejoicing in Luke–Acts The Blessings of Jesus The Coming of the Spirit of God

Events

Mary Visits Elizabethc. 5 BC

Related verses

Psalm 98:3
He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Micah 7:20
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.
Isaiah 44:21
Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you.
Isaiah 46:3–4
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
Isaiah 49:14–16
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”
Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 63:7–16
I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us—the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion.
Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.
Jeremiah 33:24–26
“Have you not noticed what these people are saying: ‘The LORD has rejected the two families He had chosen’? So they despise My people and no longer regard them as a nation.
Luke 1:70–75
…as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
Zephaniah 3:14–20
Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
Zechariah 9:9–11
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Parallels

1 Samuel 2:1–11

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Genealogy of Jesus Christ God, Names of Gospel Hannah Jesus Christ Luke, Gospel of Magnificat Mary Mercy Music Poetry, Biblical Promise Spirit of God Travel Virgin Birth of Jesus Zacharias Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Elisabeth (Elizabeth): The Wife of Zacharias and the Mother of John the Baptist God: Faithfulness of Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ: Mary Visits Elisabeth (At Hebron?) Jesus, the Christ: Mary's Magnificat (At Hebron?) Joy of Mary, when She Visited Elisabeth Magnificat of Mary Mary: The Mother of Jesus: Visits Her Cousin, Elisabeth Miracles: Catalogue of The Incarnation of Jesus Poetry: Lyrics, Sacred of Mary Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalms of Mary Select Readings: Mary's Magnificat The Promises of God: God Remembers Women: As Poets: Mary Zacharias (Zechariah): The Father of John the Baptist

Luke 1:54

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