Luke 1:37 kjv

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37 nkjv

For with God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37 niv

For no word from God will ever fail."

Luke 1:37 esv

For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 1:37 nlt

For the word of God will never fail. "

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 37 Meaning

Luke 1:37 declares God's limitless power, asserting that for Him, no matter or situation, however seemingly improbable or naturally impossible, lies beyond His capability to accomplish. It serves as a foundational statement affirming divine omnipotence and faithfulness to His Word in the face of human understanding and limitations, specifically reassuring Mary about the miraculous conception of Jesus.

Luke 1 37 Context

Luke 1:37 is spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary during the Annunciation. Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, has just been told she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit and name Him Jesus, who will be the Son of God and heir to David's throne. Her response, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" (Lk 1:34), prompts Gabriel's further explanation. Prior to verse 37, Gabriel details the mechanics of the conception (Holy Spirit, power of the Most High) and provides the contemporary sign of her aged relative Elizabeth's six-month pregnancy. Verse 37 then serves as the ultimate theological rationale, silencing any human incredulity regarding the virgin birth and highlighting God's absolute freedom to act beyond natural norms. Historically, this declaration contrasts sharply with polytheistic beliefs where gods often had limited power or were subject to fate. For a Jewish audience, it reaffirms Yahweh's unique omnipotence, reminiscent of promises to barren matriarchs in the Old Testament.

Luke 1 37 Word analysis

• For (Greek: Hoti, ὅτι): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement (Gabriel's announcement to Mary about Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy). It connects the tangible miracle (Elizabeth's conception) to the overarching principle of God's power, justifying the seemingly impossible virgin birth.

• with God (Greek: para tou theou, παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ): The preposition para here implies agency, origin, or being in God's presence/realm. It means "from God," "by God's side," or "in the estimation of God." This emphasizes that the possibility emanates directly from God Himself, indicating His active involvement and inherent nature as the source of all power, not just a distant capability.

• nothing (Greek: ouk pan rhēma, οὐ πᾶν ῥῆμα): This is a powerful double negative: "not every word/thing." Ouk (not) negates pan rhēma (every word/thing). Rhēma can denote a "spoken word" (referring to God's promise) or "a thing/matter/deed" (referring to any event or concept). In this context, the latter meaning is primary: no thing at all is impossible. The construction emphatically denies any limitation whatsoever to God's capability, embracing all potential realities.

• will be impossible (Greek: adynatēsei, ἀδυνατήσει): This verb is in the future tense of adynateō (to be impossible, powerless). The word adynateō itself is formed from a- (negating prefix) and dynamis (power). Thus, adynatēsei literally means "will lack power" or "will be unable." By negating this, "nothing will lack power with God," the statement powerfully asserts that nothing is beyond His power. The future tense implies this is an everlasting truth about God's character.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For with God": Sets the divine origin and power as the unshakeable premise. It shifts the focus from human limitations (Mary's natural understanding) to divine omnipotence. It highlights that the agent of the "impossible" is God Himself.
  • "nothing will be impossible": This declarative phrase, building on the preceding point, is an absolute assertion of divine omnipotence. It is a polemic against human rationalism or the limitations inherent in creation. It establishes that all things, seen and unseen, conceivable or inconceivable by man, fall within the scope of God's power and ability to effect. The inclusion of rhēma potentially links this also to God's spoken word – if He declares it, it will be done, because nothing He says is impossible for Him to perform.

Luke 1 37 Bonus section

The profound impact of "For with God nothing will be impossible" extends far beyond the virgin birth. This declaration echoes throughout Scripture as a central theme of God's character and His interaction with humanity. It underscores that God's plan cannot be thwarted by any human, natural, or supernatural obstacle. The wording pan rhēma is quite comprehensive, implying "every word" (i.e., every divine promise or prophecy) or "every thing/matter" (i.e., every human situation or challenge). In both interpretations, the meaning holds true: God's capacity to fulfill His intentions or to intervene in any circumstance is absolute. This truth calls believers to relinquish fears tied to perceived impossibilities and instead rely on the boundless power of their Creator and Redeemer.

Luke 1 37 Commentary

Luke 1:37 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament, functioning as a theological bedrock for the miracle of the Incarnation. Gabriel's words to Mary move beyond a simple assurance; they proclaim a fundamental truth about God's nature. It establishes that God is not bound by human understanding of natural law, biological constraints, or societal expectations. The angel explicitly challenges the concept of "impossible" when God is the active agent. This truth is supported by the immediately preceding reference to Elizabeth's pregnancy in old age, which served as a tangible, living example of God overcoming barrenness. Thus, for Mary and for every believer, Luke 1:37 serves as a perpetual reminder that divine promises are guaranteed by divine omnipotence. It cultivates radical faith in a God who can bring forth life from a virgin, make a path through the sea, and raise the dead—because His power knows no limits. It is an invitation to trust God's ability above one's own perception of reality.