Luke 1 · Verse 48

Luke 1:48

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luke 1:48, King James Version

Luke 1:48 in other translations

BSBFor He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
WEBfor he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
ASVFor he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
YLTBecause He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,
DARBYFor he has looked upon the low estate of his bondmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
BBEFor he has had pity on his servant, though she is poor and lowly placed: and from this hour will all generations give witness to the blessing which has come to me.
WebsterFor he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

What does Luke 1:48 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 1:46-55

46-55. A magnificent canticle, in which the strain of Hannah's ancient song, in like circumstances, is caught up, and just slightly modified and sublimed. Is it unnatural to suppose that the spirit of the blessed Virgin had been drawn beforehand into mysterious sympathy with the ideas and the tone of this hymn, so that when the life and fire of inspiration penetrated her whole soul it spontaneously swept the chorus…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:46-55 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 48. He hath regarded the (t) low estate of his handmaid. Literally, he has looked upon the low or humble condition of his handmaid. That is, notwithstanding her humble rank and poverty, he has shown her favour. And this example abundantly teaches what is elsewhere fully taught in the Bible, that God is not a respecter of persons; that he is not influenced, in conferring favours, by wealth, honour, or office, Rom 2:11; 10:11,12. He seeks the humble and the contrite; he imparts his rich blessings to those who feel that they need them, and who will bless him for them, Ps 138:6; Is 57:15.

From henceforth. Hereafter, or in consequence of this.

All generations. All men. All posterity.

(u) Call me blessed. Pronounce me highly favoured or happy in being the mother of the Messiah. It is therefore right to consider her as highly favoured or happy; but this certainly does not warrant us to worship her or to pray to her. Abraham was blessed in being the father of the faithful; Paul in being the apostle to the Gentiles; Peter in first preaching the gospel to them; but who would think of worshipping or praying to Abraham, Paul, or Peter?

(t) Ps 136:23 (u) Mal 3:12, Lk 11:27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 48 He hath regarded - Looked favorably, etc., επεβλεψεν. In the most tender and compassionate manner he has visited me in my humiliation, drawing the reasons of his conduct, not from any excellence in me, but from his own eternal kindness and love. All generations shall call me blessed - This was the character by which alone she wished to be known; viz. The blessed or happy virgin. What dishonor do those do to this holy woman, who give her names and characters which her pure soul would abhor; and which properly belong to God her Savior! By her votaries she is addressed as Queen of Heaven, Mother of God, etc., titles both absurd and blasphemous.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:39-56

It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:39-56 →

Luke 1:48 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.

ὅτιhotiForG3754
ἐπέβλεψενepeblepsenHe has lookedG1914
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τὴνtēntheG3588
ταπείνωσινtapeinōsinhumiliationG5014
τῆςtēsof theG3588
δούληςdoulēshandmaidenG1401
αὐτοῦ.autouof Him.G846
ἰδοὺidouBeholdG2400
γὰρgarforG1063
ἀπὸapofromG575
τοῦtou<the>G3588
νῦνnunhenceforthG3568
μακαριοῦσίνmakariousinwill count blessedG3106
μεmemeG3165
πᾶσαιpasaiallG3956
αἱhaitheG3588
γενεαὶgeneaigenerationsG1074

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

Cross references for Luke 1:48

  • Psalms 138:6

    Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26-28

    For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

  • Malachi 3:12

    And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

  • 1 Samuel 1:11

    And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

  • Psalms 136:23

    Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

  • Luke 11:27

    And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

  • Luke 1:28

    And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

  • 2 Samuel 7:18-19

    Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God?

  • 1 Samuel 2:8

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

  • James 2:5-6

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

  • Genesis 30:13

    And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

  • Luke 1:42

    And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
regarded.
1Sa 1:11; 2:8; 2Sa 7:8,18,19; Ps 102:17; 113:7,8; 136:23; 138:6
Isa 66:2; 1Co 1:26-28; Jas 2:5,6
all.
28,42; 11:27; Ge 30:13; Mal 3:12

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

Context

  • Luke 1:47

    And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

  • Luke 1:48

    For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

  • Luke 1:49

    For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Read all of Luke 1

Luke 1:48 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque ha mirado á la bajeza de su criada; porque he aquí, desde ahora me dirán bienaventurada todas las generaciones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car il a regardé l’humble état de son esclave; car voici, désormais toutes les générations me diront bienheureuse;
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn er hat hingeblickt auf die Niedrigkeit seiner Magd; denn siehe, von nun an werden mich glückselig preisen alle Geschlechter.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,