And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Read it in contextJesus' birth announced
Start reading at Luke 1:26 (Luke 1:26 to Luke 1:56).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The announcement to Mary and her visit to Elisabeth connect Jesus' coming with God's mercy and covenant promises.
1:26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
1:27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
1:28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
1:29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
1:30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
1:31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
1:32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
1:33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
1:34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
1:35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
1:36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
1:37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
1:38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
1:39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
1:40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
1:41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
1:42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
1:43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
1:44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
1:45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
1:46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
1:47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
1:48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
1:51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
1:52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
1:53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
1:54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
1:55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
1:56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 1:1–1:80): Luke addresses Theophilus in the preface. Zacharias, Elisabeth, Mary, Gabriel, relatives, and neighbors appear in the birth-announcement accounts. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Jesus' birth announced. Read Luke 1:26 through Luke 1:56 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The announcement to Mary and her visit to Elisabeth connect Jesus' coming with God's mercy and covenant promises. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Jesus' birth announced (Luke 1:26 to Luke 1:56).
Start reading at Luke 1:26. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 1:26, Luke 1:56, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of PaulFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name. Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Connection to the wholeThe dedication explains the account's purpose; the announcement to Zacharias introduces the child who will prepare a people for the Lord.
Connection to the wholeJohn's naming and Zacharias' prophecy identify his preparatory role and bring the opening chapter toward the arrival of the promised salvation.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.