Luke 1:49

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 1:49 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.
Luke 1:49 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

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 he that is mighty hath done to me great things, etc.] With respect to the incarnation of Christ, a new, a great, and unheard of thing; in causing her, though a virgin, to conceive; and also to bear such a Son, who should be called Jesus, a Saviour, Immanuel, God with us; and who was no other than the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace: wherefore she describes God the author of it, by a proper periphrasis of him, “he that is mighty”; since this was a work of almighty power, and very justly adds, and holy is his name: seeing this was brought about without any impurity, through the overshadowing influence of the Holy Ghost; whereby the human nature was preserved from…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that is mighty - God. Hath done to me great things - Hath conferred on me great favors and distinguished mercies. And holy is his name - This is an expression of Mary’s feelings, desiring to bestow on God all honor and praise. As the highest honor, she declared that his “name” was “holy” - that is, that God was free from sin, injustice, and impurity. The “name” of God is often put for God Himself. The proper name of God is יהוה Yahweh, a word expressive of His “essential being,” derived from the word “to be,” Exodus 3:14; Exodus 6:3; Psalms 83:18. That name is holy; is to be regarded as holy; and to make a common or profane use of it is solemnly forbidden, Exodus 20:7. return to 'Top of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Gen 17:1; Psa 24:8; Isa 1:24, Isa 63:1; Jer 10:6, Jer 20:11 hath: Psa 71:19-21, Psa 126:2, Psa 126:3; Mar 5:13; Eph 3:20 and: Exo 15:11; Sa1 2:2; Psa 99:3, Psa 99:9, Psa 111:9; Isa 6:3, Isa 57:15; Rev 4:8, Rev 15:4 Luke 1:50”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification