Luke 1:46
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 1:46
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Chapter Context
Luke 1 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of covenant, fellowship, redemption. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-80: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 1:46
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Analysis
Mary's Magnificat (vv.46-55) begins 'My soul doth magnify the Lord' (μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν κύριον). The verb 'megalynō' (μεγαλύνω) means to make great or enlarge—not that Mary can literally make God greater, but that she exalts and proclaims His greatness. This hymn is saturated with Old Testament allusions, particularly Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10), demonstrating Mary's deep scriptural knowledge. The structure follows Hebrew poetic parallelism, and the content emphasizes God's mighty acts in salvation history: remembering mercy, scattering the proud, exalting the humble, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. Mary sees her personal experience as part of God's larger redemptive pattern of reversing worldly values and vindicating the faithful.
Historical Context
The Magnificat represents one of four hymns in Luke's infancy narrative (along with Zacharias's Benedictus, the angels' Gloria, and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis). Early Christian worship incorporated these hymns, as evidenced by their preservation in liturgical language. Some ancient manuscripts attribute the Magnificat to Elizabeth, though overwhelming textual evidence supports Mary. The hymn's revolutionary social content—exalting the lowly, deposing the mighty—would resonate with Luke's emphasis on Jesus' concern for the marginalized.
Reflection
- How does Mary's Magnificat demonstrate that worship involves both personal praise and theological reflection on God's character?
- What does Mary's extensive biblical knowledge reveal about spiritual formation and the importance of Scripture memorization?
Word Studies
- Lord: Κύριος (Kurios) G2962 - Lord, Master
Cross-References
- References Lord: Psalms 35:9, Isaiah 45:25, 61:10, Romans 5:11, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Philippians 4:4
- Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 3:3, 1 Peter 1:8