Luke 1:46 kjv
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:46 nkjv
And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luke 1:46 niv
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
Luke 1:46 esv
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luke 1:46 nlt
Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
Luke 1 46 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:3 | Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. | Invitation to join in magnifying God. |
| Ps 69:30 | I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. | Magnifying God through gratitude. |
| Ps 103:1 | Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! | The inner being praising God. |
| Ps 104:1 | Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great. | Soul praising God for His greatness. |
| Ps 145:1 | I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. | Personal commitment to bless and extol God. |
| 1 Sam 2:1 | My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. | Hannah's prayer, a strong parallel to Mary's Magnificat. |
| Isa 61:10 | I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall be joyful in my God. | Joy and rejoicing of the soul in God. |
| Hab 3:18 | Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. | Rejoicing in God who brings salvation. |
| Phil 1:20 | That Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. | Christ being glorified through one's whole existence. |
| Acts 2:11 | We hear them speaking in our own tongues the magnificent deeds of God. | Declaring the great works of God. |
| 1 Chr 29:10 | Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. | David's blessing, recognizing God's sovereignty. |
| Deut 32:3 | For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. | Call to acknowledge God's greatness. |
| Ps 8:1 | O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth. | Acknowledging God's excellent name throughout creation. |
| Rev 4:11 | "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power..." | Heavenly worship recognizing God's worthiness. |
| Jer 9:24 | But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me. | True glory is in knowing the Lord. |
| Luke 1:47 | My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. | Parallel line to Mary's praise, involving the 'spirit.' |
| Job 36:24 | Remember to magnify His work, which men behold. | Encouragement to magnify God's observable works. |
| Ps 99:5 | Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy. | Exalting God and recognizing His holiness. |
| Rom 15:6 | That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Unified glorification of God. |
| Ex 15:2 | The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. | Song of Moses, celebrating God's deliverance and salvation. |
| Ps 51:15 | O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall declare Your praise. | Desire for verbal praise. |
| Ps 35:27 | Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified. | A plea for the Lord to be continually magnified. |
Luke 1 verses
Luke 1 46 Meaning
Luke 1:46 introduces Mary's profound song of praise, the Magnificat, declaring her absolute devotion and joyful acknowledgment of God's active greatness in her life and in redemptive history. Her declaration, "My soul magnifies the Lord," expresses that her entire being is dedicated to exalting God and proclaiming His immense power and holiness. It signifies that God's works and character are so magnificent they are made more evident, more celebrated, and more glorious through her humble praise.
Luke 1 46 Context
Luke 1:46 stands as the opening verse of Mary's prophetic hymn, known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). This song immediately follows Elizabeth's Spirit-inspired greeting, where Elizabeth blesses Mary as the mother of her Lord (Luke 1:42-45). This encounter in Elizabeth's home serves as divine confirmation for Mary, reinforcing the message Gabriel delivered about her miraculous conception of the Son of God. Mary's response is not a simple affirmation but a profound theological declaration deeply rooted in her Jewish heritage.
Historically and culturally, Mary was a young Jewish woman living under Roman occupation. Her song draws heavily from Old Testament motifs, echoing the plight and hope of the Israelite people. It particularly mirrors Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2, a lament turned into a powerful song of hope for a future king, which resonates with Mary's experience as the mother of the Messiah. The Magnificat is also seen as an indirect polemic against the grandeur of earthly empires, particularly Rome, by declaring God's true sovereignty and His intention to uplift the humble and depose the powerful. Mary’s song asserts God’s plan, not through military might, but through an unexpected birth, reversing the world’s order.
Luke 1 46 Word analysis
- And Mary said: This simple introductory phrase establishes Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the speaker of this profound declaration. It marks the commencement of her spontaneous, Spirit-inspired praise.
- My soul: The Greek word is psychē (ψυχή), which refers to the entirety of one's inner being—the life force, emotions, will, and intellect. It signifies that Mary's praise flows not just from her lips, but from the very core of her existence, indicating deep personal engagement and conviction. This mirrors similar expressions in the Psalms, where the psalmist calls upon his soul to praise God (e.g., Ps 103:1).
- magnifies: The Greek word is megalunei (μεγαλύνει), from the verb megalunō (μεγαλύνω). This word means "to make great," "to enlarge," "to declare great," or "to glorify." It doesn't imply making God greater than He already is, but rather proclaiming, displaying, and exalting His inherent greatness. Mary's soul actively seeks to make God's attributes and deeds manifest and recognized as glorious, drawing attention to His grandeur and mighty acts. This word emphasizes glorification and showing forth God’s excellence.
- the Lord: The Greek word is Kyrios (Κύριος), commonly used in the Septuagint (LXX) to translate the Hebrew divine names YHWH (Yahweh) or Adonai. This title signifies God's absolute sovereignty, supreme authority, and His role as owner and master. By using "the Lord," Mary identifies the God who has chosen her as the omnipotent, covenant-keeping God of Israel who is now fulfilling His ancient promises through her.
Words-group analysis:
- "My soul magnifies the Lord": This phrase encapsulates Mary's deep spiritual disposition. It highlights that her praise is holistic, engaging her entire inner person—mind, emotion, and will—in reverent declaration of God's greatness. It is an act of devoted worship, expressing that the spiritual wellspring of her being overflows with adoration for God, causing His majestic character and awesome power to be extolled and celebrated through her words and her very life. It reveals a personal, intimate relationship with the divine sovereign.
Luke 1 46 Bonus section
- Echoes of Old Testament Saints: Mary’s opening lines immediately connect her prayer to the spiritual heritage of Israel. Her "magnifies the Lord" resonates deeply with calls to praise throughout the Psalms (e.g., Ps 34:3). The entirety of her song mirrors the powerful praises of women like Miriam (Ex 15:21) and particularly Hannah (1 Sam 2:1-10), signifying that Mary stands as a spiritual heir to the faithful women of Israel, embodying their hope and fulfilled promise.
- Prophetic Declaration: The Magnificat is more than a personal expression of joy; it is a divinely inspired prophetic declaration concerning the nature of God's coming kingdom through Jesus. It sets the tone for Jesus' ministry, highlighting the overthrow of worldly values and the establishment of divine justice.
- A Personal Yet Universal Statement: While deeply personal to Mary’s experience, her praise transcends individual sentiment to express universal theological truths about God’s character, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His preference for the humble. It serves as a model for all believers on how to respond to God's gracious intervention.
Luke 1 46 Commentary
Luke 1:46 introduces the Magnificat, Mary’s poetic response to the unique revelation she has received and Elizabeth's inspired confirmation. Far from a simple emotional outburst, it is a deeply theological and Spirit-led song. Mary's "soul" magnifying "the Lord" signifies that her praise originates from the core of her being, a response of humble adoration to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She proclaims God's greatness, not that He becomes greater, but that His already immense greatness is demonstrated and acknowledged through her. This act of "magnifying" the Lord aligns with ancient biblical tradition, where praising God means declaring His worthiness, holiness, and powerful acts. Mary, an unprivileged maiden, becomes the chosen instrument through whom God begins to "magnify" Himself in an unprecedented way through the incarnation. Her song is foundational to understanding the reversal theology prevalent in Luke's Gospel, where the humble are exalted and the powerful are brought low, underscoring God's righteous and merciful character.