What Does Luke 1:38 Mean?
Two renderings of the same sentence, the verses it belongs to, and what the passage is doing — so you can decide what it means rather than take someone's word for it.
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." Luke 1:38, King James Version
The same verse in modern English
"“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38, Berean Standard Bible
What it sits inside
A verse quoted on its own is the commonest way one gets misread. Here it is with what comes immediately before and after, in the King James Version.
Luke 1:36 And, 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.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
A conversation built on it
Mary was young, unmarried, and had zero qualifications for what God was asking. She had every reason to say no. Instead she said 'Be it unto me.' Obedience doesn't mean you understand. It means you trust the One asking.
Questions people ask
What does Luke 1:38 mean?
In modern English (Berean Standard Bible) it reads: ““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.” The King James rendering most people know is: “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
What is the context of Luke 1:38?
The verses immediately around it read: (Luke 1:36) And, 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. (Luke 1:37) For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; (Luke 1:40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
How is Luke 1:38 used in a conversation about this?
Mary was young, unmarried, and had zero qualifications for what God was asking. She had every reason to say no. Instead she said 'Be it unto me.' Obedience doesn't mean you understand. It means you trust the One asking.
Reading it is one thing. Saying what it stirs up is another.
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