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Answer
The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer, poem, or hymn of praise found in Luke 1:46–55.
Luke 1 recounts many of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, culminating in the well-known passage in Luke 2. The Magnificat is part of this initial section of Luke.
Luke 1:5–24 predicts the arrival of John the Baptist, who is to prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel appears to the priest Zechariah while he is carrying out his duties in the temple and informs him that he will have a son named John. This news is startling, as Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, have been unable to have children. Elizabeth had been barren and is now beyond childbearing age. Additionally, Elizabeth is Mary’s cousin.
In Luke 1:26–38, an angel appears to Mary and reveals that, despite being a virgin, she will give birth to the Messiah. While Mary demonstrates great faith, she likely also harbored many questions and some uncertainty, as this was an unprecedented event in human history. She may have pondered how her parents and Joseph, her fiancé, would react (as detailed in Matthew 1). Seeking counsel beyond her immediate family, Mary decides to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country.
Luke 1:39–45 describes the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who is approximately six months pregnant at this time, is filled with the Holy Spirit and reveals that upon hearing Mary’s voice, her unborn child (John) leaped in her womb. Elizabeth proceeds to bless Mary.
In Luke 1:46–55, Mary responds to Elizabeth’s blessing with what is commonly known as the Magnificat. While some Bibles may title this passage the “Song of Mary,” the Bible does not specify that she sang it. (The Magnificat is poetic and is now sung at various services during the Advent/Christmas season.)
Season, especially in churches with a liturgical tradition.) The first line of Mary’s response is translated variously:
• NASB: My soul exalts the Lord
• NIV: My soul glorifies the Lord
• KJV: My soul doth magnify the Lord
• ESV: My soul magnifies the Lord
The Latin translation of Mary’s response begins with the word magnificat, which simply means “magnify” (or “exalt,” “glorify,” etc.). The Magnificat is a poem of praise to God, praising Him for His blessing to Mary and His faithfulness to Israel. The Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted— not the least being a poor young girl who will be the mother of the Messiah.
Here is the text of the Magnificat, as found in the English Standard Version:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
Commentators have pointed out that the Magnificat is full of quotations of and allusions to passages in the Old Testament. Many of t
The truths Mary expresses are mirrored in Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. The Magnificat also anticipates numerous themes that are later explored in the book of Luke and in Jesus’ ministry.
