Luke 1:46-47

Luke 1:46-47

[46] And  Mary  said,  soul  doth magnify  the Lord,  [47] And  spirit  hath rejoiced  in  God  Saviour. 

What does Luke 1:46-47 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Mary"s reply to Elizabeth was also an inspired utterance. This "Magnificat" has strong connections with Hannah"s prayer of thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. However it also alludes to at least12other Old Testament passages. [1] Mary"s familiarity with the Old Testament shows her love for God and His Word. A striking feature of this poem is the fact that Mary viewed God as overthrowing established authorities ( Luke 1:52). This would have been of special interest to Luke"s original readers. She viewed herself as occupying an important role in the history of salvation ( Luke 1:48).
Structurally the song divides into four strophes: Luke 1:46-55. Mary did not necessarily compose this song on the spot. She was a reflective person ( Luke 2:51) who may have given it much thought before the Holy Spirit enabled her to share it with Elizabeth. Some students of this passage have concluded that Luke really composed it, but this is unlikely since he gave Mary the credit for it ( Luke 1:46).
In the first strophe ( Luke 1:46-48), Mary praised God for what He had done for her.
Luke 1:46-47 are synonymous parallelism in which the second line restates the idea of the first line. The term "Magnificat" comes from the first word in the Latin translation of this song that in English is "exalts" or "glorifies." Mary focused on God in whom she rejoiced because He had saved her ( Habakkuk 3:18; cf. 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalm 35:9). The phrase "God my Savior" is the equivalent of "God of my salvation" ( Psalm 24:5; Psalm 25:5; Micah 7:7; Habakkuk 3:18).
"Note that in beginning the Magnificat by praising "God my Savior," Mary answered the Roman Catholic dogma of the immaculate conception, which holds that from the moment of her conception Mary was by God"s grace "kept free from all taint of Original Sin." Only sinners need a Savior." [2]
As an Old Testament believer, Mary"s hope of salvation rested in God and His promises. Her hope was not in her own ability to make herself acceptable to God.