Luke 1:55

Translations

Modern

…as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Traditional

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Literal

…as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed to the age.”

Latin

…sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in sæcula.

Original

Greek

English

…as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

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 105:6–10
O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.
Genesis 17:19
But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
Galatians 3:16–17
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
Psalm 132:11–17
The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.
Genesis 22:18
And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 26:4
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,
Romans 11:28–29
Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.
Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 28:14
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

Parallels

1 Samuel 2:1–11

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

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 1:55

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