Luke 1 · Verse 38

Luke 1:38

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38, King James Version

Luke 1:38 in other translations

BSB“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
WEBMary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
ASVAnd Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
YLTAnd Mary said, ‘Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,' and the messenger went away from her.
DARBYAnd Mary said, Behold the bondmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
BBEAnd Mary said: I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say. And the angel went away.
WebsterAnd Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

What does Luke 1:38 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
38. Marvellous faith in such circumstances!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (m), &c. This was an expression of resignation to the will of God, and of faith in the promise. To be the hand-maid of the Lord is to be submissive and obedient, and is the same as saying, "I fully credit all that is said, and am perfectly ready to obey all the commands of the Lord."

(m) Ps 116:16 (n) "according to thy word" Ps 119:38

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 38 Behold the handmaid of the Lord - I fully credit what thou sayest, and am perfectly ready to obey thy commands, and to accomplish all the purposes of thy grace concerning me. It appears that at the instant of this act of faith, and purposed obedience, the conception of the immaculate humanity of Jesus took place; and it was Done unto her according to his word. See Luk 1:35.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:26-38

We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:26-38 →

Luke 1:38 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΕἶπενEipenSaidG2036
δὲdethenG1161
Μαριάμ·MariamMary;G3137
ἰδοὺidouBeholdG2400
ἡhētheG3588
δούληdoulēhandmaidG1401
κυρίου·kuriouof [the] Lord;G2962
γένοιτόgenoitoWould [that] it happenG1096
μοιmoito meG3165
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὸtotheG3588
ῥῆμάrhēmadeclarationG4487
σου.souof you.G4771
καὶkaiAndG2532
ἀπῆλθενapēlthendepartedG565
ἀπ᾽ap᾽fromG575
αὐτῆςautēsherG846
ὁhotheG3588
ἄγγελος.¶angelosangel.G32

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 1:38

  • Romans 4:20-21

    He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

  • Psalms 119:38

    Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

  • Psalms 116:16

    O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

  • 2 Samuel 7:25-29

    And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Behold.
2Sa 7:25-29; Ps 116:16; Ro 4:20,21
be.
Ps 119:38

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 1:37

    For with God nothing shall be impossible.

  • Luke 1:38

    And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

  • Luke 1:39

    And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

Read all of Luke 1

Luke 1:38 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase á mí conforme á tu palabra. Y el ángel partió de ella.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Marie dit: Voici l’esclave du ✶Seigneur; qu’il me soit fait selon ta parole. Et l’ange se retira d’auprès d’elle.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Maria aber sprach: Siehe, ich bin die Magd des Herrn; es geschehe mir nach deinem Worte. Und der Engel schied von ihr.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Dixit autem Maria: Ecce ancilla Domini: fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Et discessit ab illa angelus.