46And Mary said: "My soul declares the greatness of the Lord, [1:47] and my spirit exults in God my Savior, [1:48] because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant-girl. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed, [1:49] because the Mighty One has done great things for me — and holy is his name, [1:50] and his mercy is for generation after generation to those who fear him. [1:51] He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the reasoning of their hearts. [1:52] He has brought down rulers from thrones and exalted the humble; [1:53] the hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. [1:54] He has taken hold of Israel his servant-child, remembering mercy, [1:55] as he spoke to our fathers — to Abraham and to his seed forever." [1:56] And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her house.
LUK 1:46-56
Maryʼs Song
In the world it was spoken into
Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, reflects the Jewish tradition of prophetic praise, echoing the language and themes of Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2. For first-century Jewish listeners, this hymn would resonate deeply with the expectation of God’s deliverance for the oppressed and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel. Mary’s declaration of God’s greatness and her acknowledgment of her lowly state ('') align with the Jewish understanding of God’s preference for the humble and marginalized. The reversal of fortunes—bringing down rulers and exalting the humble—mirrors the prophetic hope for justice and the restoration of Israel. The mention of God’s mercy to those who fear Him (' ') underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The reference to Abraham and his descendants ('') ties Mary’s experience to the broader narrative of God’s faithfulness to Israel. This song would have been heard as a declaration of God’s imminent intervention in history, fulfilling His promises through the birth of Mary’s child.
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How other translations render this
LUK 1:46
- KJV
- And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
- BSB
- Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
- Koinōnos
- And Mary said: "My soul declares the greatness of the Lord,
LUK 1:47
- KJV
- And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
- BSB
- and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
- Koinōnos
- and my spirit exults in God my Savior,
LUK 1:48
- KJV
- For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
- BSB
- For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
- Koinōnos
- because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant-girl. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
LUK 1:49
- KJV
- For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
- BSB
- For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
- Koinōnos
- because the Mighty One has done great things for me — and holy is his name,
LUK 1:50
- KJV
- And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
- BSB
- His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
- Koinōnos
- and his mercy is for generation after generation to those who fear him.
LUK 1:51
- KJV
- He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
- BSB
- He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
- Koinōnos
- He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the reasoning of their hearts.
LUK 1:52
- KJV
- He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
- BSB
- He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
- Koinōnos
- He has brought down rulers from thrones and exalted the humble;
LUK 1:53
- KJV
- He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
- BSB
- He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
- Koinōnos
- the hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
LUK 1:54
- KJV
- He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
- BSB
- He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
- Koinōnos
- He has taken hold of Israel his servant-child, remembering mercy,
LUK 1:55
- KJV
- As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
- BSB
- as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
- Koinōnos
- as he spoke to our fathers — to Abraham and to his seed forever.
LUK 1:56
- KJV
- And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
- BSB
- Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
- Koinōnos
- And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her house.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 1:46
- Magnifies:The word translated 'magnifies' means to make something great or powerful, to exalt it. It implies a declaration of greatness, not an act of making something larger.
LUK 1:48
- humiliation:The term translated 'humiliation' refers to a state of lowliness or abasement, often implying a humble or lowly condition rather than a feeling of shame.
LUK 1:54
- [the] servant:The word translated 'servant' can also mean 'child' or 'boy/girl.' In this context, it emphasizes a relationship of dependence and devotion, much like a child to a parent, rather than merely a hired worker.
LUK 1:55
- descendants:The word translated 'descendants' literally means 'seed.' This term carries the imagery of a continuous lineage or offspring, emphasizing the biological and historical continuity of Abraham's family line.