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In this lesson:
Re-read Luke 1:26-38 (lesson 102) before continuing. Mary's song of praise (1:46-55). The "Magnificat" (Latin for magnify, to praise) reveals much about Mary and her faith. Each sentiment expressed in the Magnificat also appears in the Old Testament. Notice how Mary speaks of future events in the past tense. This was a common practice to show that predicted events would undoubtedly come true. Study Tip: Don't forget to read the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
Mary visiting her cousin Elisabeth.
Both pregnant by divine intervention. By an unknown artist. |
Abraham -
The father of all Jews (Romans 4:11-16; Galatians 3:7), spiritual forefather of Christians (Galatians 3:29), and a "friend" of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Abraham was also called the "Father of a multitude," "exalted Father" and Abram (Genesis 15:1; 17:4-5). Born in Ur (present-day Iraq), Abraham is perhaps the greatest of the Old Testament personalities. His story is part of almost every eastern religion, including Islam where he is considered the father of all Arab peoples through his son Ishmael. A man of tremendous faith, Abraham left his home and family because God asked him to (Genesis 12:1; Acts 7:2-4). Then, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test. Believing God knew best, Abraham set off to obey (Genesis 22:1-10). As Abraham prepared to knife his own son, God sent an angel to save the boy (Genesis 22:11-13). Abraham's faith earned him God's promise (the Abrahamic Covenant) to make his descendants (the Israelites) a great and populous people (Genesis 17:2-7; 22:16-18; 26:4; 24) and to bless the Gentiles through him (Genesis 12:2-3; 15:1-21; 18:18; 22:18; 28:14; Exodus 32:13). Abraham's deeds frequently disappointed God, but he never lost his righteousness because it is never deeds that earn righteousness, it is faith (Genesis 15:6). Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy-five (Genesis 25:7) and was buried alongside his wife Sarah in a cave at Machpelah (Genesis 23:9; 25:7-10). Centuries later a Christian church was built over the cave. Subsequently, the church was converted into an Islamic Mosque. Tracing Jesus' roots back to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-16) proves that Christ's lineage dates back to
the beginning of the Jewish nation. You can read more about Abraham in Genesis 11:26-25:34.
The father of all Jews (Romans 4:11-16; Galatians 3:7), spiritual forefather of Christians (Galatians 3:29), and a "friend" of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Abraham was also called the "Father of a multitude," "exalted Father" and Abram (Genesis 15:1; 17:4-5). Born in Ur (present-day Iraq), Abraham is perhaps the greatest of the Old Testament personalities. His story is part of almost every eastern religion, including Islam where he is considered the father of all Arab peoples through his son Ishmael. A man of tremendous faith, Abraham left his home and family because God asked him to (Genesis 12:1; Acts 7:2-4). Then, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test. Believing God knew best, Abraham set off to obey (Genesis 22:1-10). As Abraham prepared to knife his own son, God sent an angel to save the boy (Genesis 22:11-13). Abraham's faith earned him God's promise (the Abrahamic Covenant) to make his descendants (the Israelites) a great and populous people (Genesis 17:2-7; 22:16-18; 26:4; 24) and to bless the Gentiles through him (Genesis 12:2-3; 15:1-21; 18:18; 22:18; 28:14; Exodus 32:13). Abraham's deeds frequently disappointed God, but he never lost his righteousness because it is never deeds that earn righteousness, it is faith (Genesis 15:6). Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy-five (Genesis 25:7) and was buried alongside his wife Sarah in a cave at Machpelah (Genesis 23:9; 25:7-10). Centuries later a Christian church was built over the cave. Subsequently, the church was converted into an Islamic Mosque. Tracing Jesus' roots back to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-16) proves that Christ's lineage dates back to
the beginning of the Jewish nation. You can read more about Abraham in Genesis 11:26-25:34.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 1:39-56
The visitation 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. |
Margin notes:
"Into a city of Juda." (1:39) - Many Bible scholars believe Elisabeth lived in Hebron. Elisabeth was a Levi and Hebron was a Levitical city in Judah (Joshua 21:10-11). This would have been about a seventy-mile walk from Mary's home in Nazareth. "Saluted Elisabeth." (1:40) - "Greeted Elisabeth." "The mother of my Lord." (1:43) - Apparently, Elisabeth knew that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah. "There shall be a performance." (:45) - "It will be fulfilled." "My soul doth magnify the Lord." (1:46) - "My soul praises the Lord." Notice the similarity of this verse and Psalm 34:2-3. "Low estate." (1:48) - "Humble state." The same sentiment is expressed by Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:11-13 when she asked God for a baby. "Holy is his name." (1:49) - The same praise as found in Psalm 111:9. "Them that fear him." (1:50) - "Those that revere Him." The same thought is expressed in Psalm 103:13 and 103:17. "He hath scattered the proud." (1:51) - "He has scattered the proud (Genesis 11:8). See also 2 Samuel 22:28 and 1 Peter 5:5. "He hath put down the mighty from their seats." (1:52) - "He has brought down the mighty from their Thrones." The same sentiment as expressed in Job 12:19. "Exalted them of low degree." (1:52) - "Exalted those in humble standings." "He hath filled the hungry." (1:53) - As prophesied in Psalm 107:9. "He hath holpen his servant Israel." (1:54) - "He has helped His servant, Israel." Means, God kept His promise to Abraham and blessed Israel (Genesis 22:16-18; 2 Samuel 22:50-51; Psalm 89:2-4; 98:3; 103:17-18; Micah 7:18-20). "He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." (1:55) - "He promised our forefathers, Abraham, and Abraham's descendants." To read the promise, see Genesis 17:7 and 22:17. "Mary abode with her about three months." (1:56) - "Mary stayed with her for about three months." Mary arrived when Elisabeth was six months pregnant (Luke 1:36-39). |
Notice the similarity between Mary's Magnificat and Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
New Living Translation
Luke 1:39-56
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town
40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.
43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?
44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
The Magnificat: Mary's Song of Praise
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town
40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.
43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?
44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
The Magnificat: Mary's Song of Praise
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." (1:41)
"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." (1:49)
"And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house." (1:56)
"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." (1:49)
"And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house." (1:56)
Today's Question:
1. What did Mary mean by "all generations shall call me blessed?" (1:48)
Prayer... the original wireless connection.
1. What did Mary mean by "all generations shall call me blessed?" (1:48)
Prayer... the original wireless connection.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Mary's words were a simple acknowledgment of the great gift God had given mankind through her. Mary was from a poor family, lived in a small town, and was engaged to a humble carpenter, yet she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah. Mary had the same reason to rejoice over the birth of Christ and the promise of salvation as we have. After all, Jesus was her Savior, too (1:47). The Magnificat is Mary's praise to God for this wonderful thing He was doing for all mankind through her.
Application thought for the day:
What does this segment teach about Jesus and salvation?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke