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Luke 1:37

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 1:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For no word from God shall be void of power.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For no word from God shall be void of power.
Luke 1:37 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.
36And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.
37For no word from God shall be void of power.
38And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
40and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.] That is consistent with his nature and perfections, with his counsels, purposes, and promises: every thing that he has said, purposed, or promised, he is able to do, and will; every word that he has spoken, every thing predicted by his prophets, or declared by his angels, and particularly this of a virgin's conceiving and bearing a Son: so that the angel not only answers her question, how this should be, but confirms her faith in it; partly by the instance of her cousin Elisabeth, and partly by observing the infinite omnipotence of God.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For, &c.--referring to what was said by the angel to Abraham in like case (Gen 18:14), to strengthen her faith.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thy cousin Elizabeth ... - The case of Elizabeth is mentioned to inspire Mary with confidence, and to assure her that what was now promised would be fulfilled. It was almost as improbable that Elizabeth should have a child at her time of life, as it was that Mary should under the circumstances promised. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“with: Luk 18:27; Gen 18:14; Num 11:23; Job 13:2; Jer 32:17, Jer 32:27; Zac 8:6; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Phi 3:21 Luke 1:38”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification