Bible Strands
Luke 1:33
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The angel Gabriel is speaking to Mary in Nazareth, completing the announcement of her son's identity: Davidic throne (v. 32) followed by its duration (v. 33).
The words — βασιλεύω (basileuō) is the active verb "to reign," not a static title; it is the same root as basileus (king), so the sentence says he will do the reigning, not merely hold the name. The object "the house of Jacob" (οἶκος Ἰακώβ) is a covenant idiom for Israel as a whole, not a building.
The thread — Daniel 2:44 promises a kingdom that "will never be destroyed," and Daniel 7:13 gives dominion to "One like a Son of Man"; Hebrews 1:8 applies the same language directly to the Son, calling his throne God's.
Why it lands — The verse binds a specific political promise (David's throne, Jacob's house) to an absolute temporal claim (never ends), forcing the reader to decide whether the messianic hope is a national restoration or something that outgrows the nation it was framed in.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Cross-references
- Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
- Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
- Daniel 7:27 Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
- 2 Samuel 7:16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”
- Psalms 89:35 Once and for all I have sworn by My holiness—I will not lie to David—
- Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
- Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
- Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.