Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.
Parallel translations
- KJV And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
- BSB “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
- ESV And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- NKJV Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- NASB And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- NLT Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Mary submits in faith, calling herself the Lord's servant and accepting his word. Her humble obedience is exemplary.
Overview
Mary yields fully to God's will, embracing the costly calling with trust. Her response of faith contrasts with Zacharias' doubt. She models the believer's proper posture: glad submission to whatever God ordains.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Rom 4:20–21Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,
- Ps 119:38Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
- Ps 116:16Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant. You have freed me from my chains.
- 2 Sam 7:25–29Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 1:38 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.