Luke 1:48 (WEB)
for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Luke 1:48 (KJV)
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Key words
- ταπείνωσιςtapeinōsis · Greek
- 'low estate' — humility; Hannah uses the same word in her prayer (1 Samuel 1:11 LXX).
- δούληdoulē · Greek
- 'handmaiden' — a female servant or slave.
- μακαριοῦσίν με πᾶσαι αἱ γενεαίmakariousin me pasai hai geneai · Greek
- 'all generations shall call me blessed' — from makarizō, 'to call blessed,' the verb of public praise.
Why it matters
Mary prophesies that every generation will call her blessed. Pitre opens with this verse as Scripture's own answer to the claim that honouring Mary is unbiblical: the Bible expects her to be praised by all generations. Every belief about Mary, he insists, rests on a belief about Jesus, and this praise begins with what God has done for her.