Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:39-41 In those days (cf. 6:12; Acts 1:15) links the present account with the preceding. It is likely that both the hill country and Judah refer to the (largely hilly) region of Judea. The baby leaped could be seen as the prophetic first instance of John preparing the way for Jesus (see Luke 1:17, 76). John's prophetic role is evidenced even as an unborn child in the womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, explains the baby's leaping (vv. 42-45).

1:42-45 Blessed are you among women. The reason for Mary's blessedness is located in the second blessed is, i.e., because of the blessedness of the child she will bear (lit., the fruit of your womb).

1:44 The baby in my womb leaped for joy pictures the unborn child at the sixth month of pregnancy as a distinct person, able to feel "joy."

1:45 Mary is blessed for her faith, but she is most blessed for the privilege of bearing the Son of God (see note on vv. 42-45).

1:46-55 Mary's song of praise in these verses traditionally has been called the "Magnificat," a title derived from the opening word (magnificat, magnifies) in the Latin Vulgate translation. The Magnificat is the first of three hymns in Luke 1-2, the other two being the "Benedictus" (1:68-79) and the "Nunc Dimittis" (2:29-32).

1:46-47 My soul magnifies the Lord. Mary's hymn of praise (the Magnificat) follows the common form of Psalms of Thanksgiving, which begin by thanking God and then telling why one is thankful. The Magnificat carries echoes of the content and form of Ps. 103:1. my spirit rejoices. Mary's entire being is caught up in praise to God. God my Savior. Mary herself is not free from sin but is in need of a Savior.

1:48 For indicates that Mary is about to present the grounds or foundation of her praise (vv. 46-47). he has looked. This first ground for Mary's praise recalls Hannah's hymn (1 Sam. 2:1-10). humble estate. Cf. Luke 1:52; 1 Cor. 1:26-29. God often uses people who are not great in the world's eyes to work his great purposes on the earth. from now on. Cf. Luke 12:52; 22:18, 69; Acts 18:6. All generations . . . blessed recalls Luke 1:42.

1:50-55 The hymn moves from Mary to what her son's birth means for believing Israelites. fear. Reverent, humble obedience that seeks to please God. The second ground for Mary's praise is introduced by He has shown strength with his arm, an anthropomorphism for God's might. has scattered . . . has brought. Mary's use of the aorist tense expresses her certainty of what God will do. To Abraham and to his offspring emphasizes the fulfillment of salvation history.