Bible Strands
Luke 1:48
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Mary speaks these words in the Magnificat, addressing God directly as she prophesies over her immediate pregnancy and her future role.
The words — The Greek ταπείνωσιν (tapeinōsin) literally denotes "humility" or "humble state," identifying the lowly condition that receives divine attention.
The thread — The text states that God looks upon lowliness, which aligns with Psalm 138:6's claim that the LORD attends to the lowly, and anticipates Malachi 3:12's promise that nations will call a people blessed.
Why it lands — The passage declares that God's favor rests on human lowliness rather than status, requiring readers to reject self-reliance and accept divine initiative.
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
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Cross-references
- Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
- Malachi 3:12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- 1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
- Psalms 136:23 He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever.
- Luke 11:27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!”
- Luke 1:28 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
- Genesis 30:13 Leah said, “How happy I am! For the women call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
- 1 Samuel 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.
- 2 Samuel 7:18 Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?