Luke 1:46-55, Luke 1:67-75 NASB

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:47

In God my Saviour - God is called “Saviour,” as he saves people from sin and death. He was “Mary’s” Saviour, as he had redeemed her soul and given her a title to eternal life; and she rejoiced for that, and especially for his mercy in honoring her by her being made the mother of the Messiah. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:48

He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid - Literally, he has looked upon the low or humble condition of his handmaid. That is, notwithstanding her humble rank and poverty, he has shown her favor. And this example abundantly teaches what is elsewhere fully taught in the Bible, that God is not a respecter of persons; that he is not influenced, in conferring favors, by wealth, honor, or office, Romans 2:11; Romans 10:11-12. He seeks the humble and the contrite; he imparts his rich blessings... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:49

He that is mighty - God.Hath done to me great things - Hath conferred on me great favors and distinguished mercies.And holy is his name - This is an expression of Mary’s feelings, desiring to bestow on God all honor and praise. As the highest honor, she declared that his “name” was “holy” - that is, that God was free from sin, injustice, and impurity. The “name” of God is often put for God Himself. The proper name of God is יהוה Yahweh, a word expressive of His “essential being,” derived from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:50

His mercy - Favor shown to the miserable and the guilty.Is on them - Is shown or manifested to them.That fear him - That “reverence” or honor Him. One kind of fear is that which a servant has of a cruel master, or which a man has of a precipice, the plague, or death. This is not the “fear” which we ought to have toward God. It is the fear which a dutiful child has of a kind and virtuous father a fear of injuring his feelings; of dishonoring him by our life; of doing anything which he would... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:51

Hath showed strength with his arm - The “arm” is the symbol of strength. The expression in this and the subsequent verses has no particular reference to his mercy to Mary. From a contemplation of His goodness to her, she enlarges her views to a contemplation of His goodness and power in general, and to a celebration of the praises of God for all that he has done to all people. This is the nature of true piety. It does not terminate in thinking of God’s mercy toward ourselves. It thinks of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:52

Hath put down the mighty - The “mighty” here denotes princes, kings, or conquerors. See Isaiah 14:12-14.Their seats - Their “thrones,” or the places where they sat in pomp and power.Exalted them - Raised them up, or placed them in the seats of those who had been removed.Low degree - Low or humble birth and condition in life. This probably has reference to the case of her ancestor David. Mary was celebrating the mercies of God to herself, to her family, and of course to her ancestors. It was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:53

He hath filled the hungry with good things - This is a celebration of the general mercy of God. He hath daily fed the poor, the needy, and those who came to Him with humble hearts.The rich he hath sent ... - While the poor come to him for a supply of their daily wants, the rich come not that their necessities should be supplied, but come with lofty hearts, and insatiable desires that their riches may be increased. When this is the case, God not unfrequently not only “withholds” what they ask,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:54

Hath holpen - Hath helped or assisted. The word rendered “holpen” denotes properly, “to take hold of one, to help him up when he is in danger of falling,” and here means that God had succored his people when they were feeble, and were in danger of falling or being overthrown.His servant Israel - His people the Israelites, or those who truly revered him and kept His commandments. See Isaiah 41:8-9; Hosea 11:1.In remembrance of his mercy - Or that His mercy may be remembered. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:55

As he spake to our fathers ... - That is, He has dealt mercifully with the children of Israel, according as He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promise particularly here referred to is that respecting the Messiah which was now about to be fulfilled; but there is no doubt that there was also included the promises respecting all the other mercies which had been conferred on the children of Israel. See Genesis 22:17-18.Forever - These words are to be referred to the preceding verse - “in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:46-48

Luke 1:46-48 . And Mary said Under a prophetic impulse, several things which perhaps she herself did not then fully understand. Having heard Elisabeth speak, as above related, she likewise was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence uttered extempore a hymn, remarkable for the beauty of its style, the sublimity of its sentiments, and the spirit of piety which runs through the whole of it: and manifesting the deep sense she had of her own unworthiness, and of the goodness of God... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:47

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:48

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:49

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:50

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:51

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:52

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:53

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:54

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:55

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:46-48

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