Luke 1:33 kjv

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:33 nkjv

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Luke 1:33 niv

and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."

Luke 1:33 esv

and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Luke 1:33 nlt

And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 33 Meaning

This verse is a pronouncement by the angel Gabriel to Mary, detailing the nature and extent of her son Jesus's reign. It signifies that Jesus, as the Messiah, will exercise perpetual and unchallenged rule over God's people, establishing a kingdom that will not dissolve or fade away. This divine promise underscores His sovereignty, His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the eternal Davidic king, and the enduring nature of His dominion.

Luke 1 33 Context

Luke 1:33 is part of the angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary concerning the miraculous birth of Jesus. Following his announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25), Gabriel now brings tidings of an even greater birth to Mary. In the preceding verse (Luke 1:32), Gabriel explicitly connects Jesus to the Davidic covenant, stating that "The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David." This sets the stage for the prophetic declaration in verse 33 regarding the eternal and everlasting nature of Jesus's reign, directly fulfilling the hopes of a coming Messiah who would rule an unending kingdom. The historical context reflects a time when Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people longed for a political king to liberate them, often misinterpreting messianic prophecies solely in terms of earthly conquest. Gabriel's words begin to redefine the nature of this long-awaited kingdom.

Luke 1 33 Word analysis

• and he will reign (καὶ βασιλεύσει, kai basileusei): The verb βασιλεύσει is future active indicative of βασιλεύω (basileuō), meaning "to be king, to rule, to reign." This signifies an active, personal, and continuous exercise of royal power by Jesus. It directly foretells His messianic kingship, emphasizing a coming reality of dominion rather than merely an honorary title.
• over Jacob's descendants (ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰακώβ, epi ton oikon Iakōb):
  • οἶκον (oikon): Translates as "house, household, family," but in a broader biblical sense, it signifies "descendants" or "nation" in the collective sense. Here, it refers to the people of Israel, the nation descended from Jacob.
  • Ἰακώβ (Iakōb): Jacob is the patriarch from whom the nation of Israel descends. The phrase "house of Jacob" traditionally refers to ethnic Israel. In the New Covenant, through Christ, the understanding of "true Israel" or God's people expands to include both Jew and Gentile believers who are "in Christ," thereby becoming spiritual descendants and heirs of the promises. This universal scope fulfills God's plan.
• forever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, eis tous aiōnas): Literally "into the ages" or "for the ages." This is a strong Greek idiom conveying eternal, endless duration. It is not merely "a very long time" but "without end," contrasting human kingdoms with a divine, timeless reign. This emphasizes the divine nature and stability of His rule.
• his kingdom (τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ, tēs basileias autou):
  • βασιλείας (basileias): "Kingdom, royal power, dominion." This refers to both the abstract concept of royal authority and the sphere over which that authority is exercised. It implies the totality of His rule, encompassing all creation and the spiritual domain.
• will never end (οὐκ ἔσται τέλος, ouk estai telos): Literally "there will not be an end." The negation "οὐκ" (ouk) strongly emphasizes the absolute perpetuity of His kingdom. This reinforces and clarifies "forever," highlighting the infinite nature of Christ's reign in direct opposition to the finite nature of all earthly powers and empires. It recalls Old Testament prophecies, especially Daniel's, about an indestructible kingdom established by God.

Luke 1 33 Bonus section

The affirmation of an eternal kingdom in Luke 1:33 provides a crucial theological link between the Old Testament prophetic expectations and the New Testament revelation of Christ's sovereignty. It signifies that Jesus's kingship is not a temporary or human-conceived dominion but a divine reality, already inaugurated spiritually through His first coming (Col 1:13) and progressively extending its sway, ultimately culminating in His glorious return when His reign will be fully established over all creation (Rev 11:15). This truth empowers believers with confidence in God's ultimate victory and Christ's ongoing work as the reigning Lord, providing assurance of an unshakeable future in His kingdom (Heb 12:28).

Luke 1 33 Commentary

Luke 1:33 encapsulates the essence of Jesus's messianic identity as proclaimed by Gabriel to Mary. It unequivocally states that Jesus will reign as King, a profound fulfillment of the ancient Davidic covenant, promising an eternal throne. This reign is initially presented "over Jacob's descendants," rooted in God's covenant with Israel. However, as revealed in the New Testament, this "house of Jacob" ultimately encompasses all who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, constituting the spiritual Israel, the true people of God (Gal 3:29, Rom 9:6-8). The double emphasis on "forever" and "will never end" underscores the divine, indestructible, and boundless nature of Christ's kingdom, contrasting sharply with all transient human empires. It signifies a spiritual dominion over hearts and lives that also culminates in a future, tangible cosmic reign. His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and justice, establishing God's will on earth as it is in heaven, not by human might but by divine power and spiritual transformation.