Luke 1 (KJV)

Read Luke chapter 1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Luke 1

Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

Luke 1:37

"For with God nothing shall be impossible.…"

Luke 1:45

"And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a perfo…"

Luke 1:46-47

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit …"

Luke 1:36

"And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a…"

Luke 1:38

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto m…"

Popular Verses in Luke 1

Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

Luke 1:37 KJV

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Luke 1 Summary

Luke 1 sets the stage for the Incarnation with two miraculous announcements. The angel Gabriel appears first to Zechariah, an elderly priest, promising that his barren wife Elizabeth will bear a son — John the Baptist — who will prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah doubts and is struck mute until the child is born.

Gabriel then visits the virgin Mary in Nazareth with the greatest announcement in history: she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of the Most High. Mary's response is stunning faith: 'Be it unto me according to thy word.' When Mary visits Elizabeth, the baby leaps in Elizabeth's womb, and Mary breaks into the Magnificat — a soaring song of praise celebrating God's reversal of human values: He scatters the proud, brings down rulers, and exalts the humble.

Key Themes

AnnunciationNothing Impossible with GodMary's FaithThe Magnificat

Key Verses in Luke 1

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."

— Luke 1:37

Gabriel's declaration to Mary — the theological foundation for everything that follows in the Gospel.

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

— Luke 1:38

Mary's surrender — total availability to God's plan despite personal cost and social risk.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

— Luke 1:46-47

The Magnificat opens with worship — Mary responds to impossible news with praise, not panic.

Life Application

Mary models the response God looks for: 'Be it unto me according to thy word.' She didn't understand everything — she simply said yes. When God's plan disrupts your plan, can you respond with surrender rather than resistance? Nothing is impossible with God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Magnificat?

The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is Mary's song of praise, named from the Latin translation of its opening word ('magnify'). It celebrates God's faithfulness, His reversal of social hierarchies (scattering the proud, exalting the humble), and His fulfillment of promises to Abraham. It draws heavily on Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2.

Why was Zechariah struck mute but Mary wasn't?

Zechariah expressed disbelief ('Whereby shall I know this?') despite being a priest who should have expected God's supernatural work. Mary asked a logistical question ('How shall this be?') from genuine curiosity, not doubt. Her immediate surrender ('Be it unto me') showed faith Zechariah initially lacked.

Read the full summary of Luke