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.
Catechism · 6
I Believe
“It is for this faith that all generations have called Mary blessed.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:48
The First Commandment
“To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:46-49.
In the Fullness of Time
“That is why the Canticle of Mary,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:46-55.
The Way of Prayer
“In countless hymns and antiphons expressing this prayer, two movements usually alternate with one another: the first "magnifies" the Lord for the "great things" he did for his lowly servant and through her for all human beings” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:46-55.
"I Believe in the Holy Spirit"
Against all human hope, God promises descendants to Abraham, as the fruit of faith and of the power of the Holy Spirit. In Abraham's progeny all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
“It is the thanksgiving of the whole People of God, and thus of the Church, which Mary in her canticle” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:46-55.
Fathers and councils · 10
Jerome
“…may teach us how far they are beneath the holiness of blessed Mary, the Lord’s Mother, who, conscious that God was dwelling in her, proclaims without reserve, “Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 48 sq.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…Him, recognized Him; that Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Ghost, said many things; that Mary herself received the Holy Ghost to conceive the Lord.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35–79.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
She gives the reason why it becomes her to magnify God and to rejoice in Him, saying, For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden; as if she said, “He Himself foresaw, therefore I did not look for Him.” I…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
O true lowliness, which hath borne God to men, hath given life to mortals, made new heavens and a pure earth, opened the gates of Paradise, and set free the souls of men. The lowliness of Mary was made the heavenly…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
But she, whose humility is regarded, is rightly called blessed by all; as it follows, For, behold, from henceforth all shall call me blessed.
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
She does not call herself blessed from vain glory, for what room is there for pride in her who named herself the handmaid of the Lord? But, touched by the Holy Spirit, she foretold those things which were to come.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Luke
But why was she lowly and cast down, who carried in her womb the Son of God? Consider that lowliness, which in the Scriptures is particularly praised as one of the virtues, is called by the philosophers “modestia.”…
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
For if as the Prophet says, Blessed are they who have seed in Sion, and kinsfolk in Jerusalem, (Isa. 31:9. apud LXX.) how great should be the celebration of the divine and ever holy Virgin Mary, who was made…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
For it was fitting, that as by the pride of our first parent death came into the world, so by the lowliness of Mary should be opened the entrance into life.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
And therefore she says, all generations, not only Elisabeth, but also every nation that believed.
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Cross-references · 7
Cited together in Catechism §722.
Cited together in Catechism §2676.
Cited together in Catechism §2676.
Cited together in Catechism §148.
Cited together in Athanasius of Alexandria on Luke 1:48 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §722 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Catechism §2676.