Luke 1:38 "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 ►

New International Version
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

New Living Translation
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

Berean Literal Bible
And Mary said, "Behold, the Lord's handmaid. May it happen to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

King James Bible
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

New King James Version
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

NASB 1977
And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Mary said, “Behold, the slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Amplified Bible
Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

Christian Standard Bible
“See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

American Standard Version
And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Contemporary English Version
Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said." And the angel left her.

English Revised Version
And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mary answered, "I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me." Then the angel left her.

Good News Translation
"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

International Standard Version
Then Mary said, "Truly I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you have said happen to me." Then the angel left her.

Majority Standard Bible
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

NET Bible
So Mary said, "Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

New Heart English Bible
And Mary said, "See, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Weymouth New Testament
"I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her.

World English Bible
Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Mary said, “Behold, the maidservant of the LORD; let it be to me according to your saying,” and the messenger went away from her.

Berean Literal Bible
And Mary said, "Behold, the Lord's handmaid. May it happen to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Young's Literal Translation
And Mary said, 'Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,' and the messenger went away from her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Mary said Behold the servant of the Lord; may it be to me according to thy word. And the messenger departed from her.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.

New American Bible
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Mary said, Here I am, a handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel went away from her.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Maryam said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of THE LORD JEHOVAH; let it be done to me according to your word”, and the Angel departed from her.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.

Godbey New Testament
And Mary said; Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; may it be done unto me according to thy word. And the angel went away from her.

Haweis New Testament
Then said Mary, Behold a servant of the Lord, be it to me according to thy declaration. And the angel departed from her.

Mace New Testament
then said Mary, "behold the servant of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." upon which the angel disappeared.

Weymouth New Testament
"I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her.

Worrell New Testament
And Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; may it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Worsley New Testament
Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Gabriel Foretells Jesus' Birth
…37For no word from God will ever fail.” 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. 39In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 1:24-25
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and embraced Mary as his wife. / But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

John 2:5
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Romans 1:5
Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Philippians 2:7-8
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

Hebrews 10:7
Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”

Genesis 21:1
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.

Exodus 3:4
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.

1 Samuel 3:10
Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Psalm 40:7-8
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll: / I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Treasury of Scripture

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.

Behold.

2 Samuel 7:25-29
And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said…

Psalm 116:16
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Romans 4:20,21
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; …

be.

Psalm 119:38
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

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Luke 1

1. The preface of Luke to his whole gospel.
5. The conception of John the Baptist;
26. and of Jesus.
39. The prophecy of Elisabeth and of Mary, concerning Jesus.
57. The nativity and circumcision of John.
67. The prophecy of Zachariah, both of Jesus,
76. and of John.

Berean Study Bible

I am the Lord’s servant
The phrase "I am the Lord’s servant" reflects Mary's humble submission and willingness to serve God. The Greek word for "servant" here is "doulē," which implies a bondservant or slave, indicating complete devotion and obedience. In the historical context, a servant had no rights of their own and was entirely at the disposal of their master. Mary's declaration is a profound expression of her faith and trust in God's plan, echoing the Old Testament figures who identified themselves as servants of the Lord, such as Moses and David. This phrase sets a tone of humility and readiness to fulfill God's will, a model for Christian discipleship.

Mary answered
The act of Mary answering signifies her active participation in God's plan. Unlike other biblical figures who hesitated or doubted when called by God, Mary's response is immediate and affirmative. This highlights her unique role in salvation history and her exemplary faith. The historical context of a young Jewish woman in first-century Palestine responding with such courage and conviction is remarkable, given the societal norms and expectations of women at the time.

May it happen to me
This phrase is a powerful expression of consent and acceptance. The Greek word "genoito" is an optative mood verb, which conveys a wish or desire, often used in prayers. Mary's use of this word indicates her wholehearted agreement with God's plan, despite the personal cost and potential social repercussions. It reflects a deep trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, serving as an inspiration for believers to embrace God's will in their own lives.

according to your word
Mary's reference to "your word" underscores her faith in the message delivered by the angel Gabriel. The Greek term "rhema" refers to a spoken word or utterance, emphasizing the power and authority of God's promises. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of God's word as living and active, capable of bringing about His purposes. Mary's trust in God's word is a testament to her faith and an encouragement for believers to rely on the truth and reliability of Scripture.

Then the angel left her
The departure of the angel signifies the completion of the divine message and the beginning of its fulfillment. This moment marks a transition from divine revelation to human action, as Mary now carries the responsibility of bearing the Messiah. The angel's leaving also highlights the solitude and faith required of Mary as she embarks on this extraordinary journey. It serves as a reminder that while divine encounters may be brief, their impact and the call to faithfulness endure.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(38) Behold the handmaid of the Lord . . .--The words seem to show a kind of half-consciousness that the lot which she thus accepts might bring with it unknown sufferings, as well as untold blessedness. She shrinks, as it were, from the awfulness of the position thus assigned to her, but she can say, as her Son said afterwards, when His time of agony was come, "Not my will, but Thine be done." It may be that the more immediate peril of which St. Matthew speaks (1:19). flashed even then upon her soul as one that could not be escaped. (Comp. Luke 2:35.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 38. - Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. "God's message," writes Godet, "by the mouth of the angel was not a command. The part Mary had to fulfill made no demands on her. It only remained, therefore, for Mary to consent to the consequences of the Divine offer. She gives this consent in a word at once simple and sublime, which involved the most extraordinary act of faith that a woman ever consented to accomplish. Mary accepts the sacrifice of that which is dearer to a young maiden than her very life, and thereby becomes pre-eminently the heroine of Israel, the ideal daughter of Zion." Nor was the immediate trouble and sorrow which she foresaw would soon compass her round by any means the whole burden which submission to the angel's message would bring upon the shrinking Nazareth maiden. The lot proposed to her would bring probably in its wake unknown sufferings as well as untold blessedness. We may with all reverence think Mary already feeling the first piercings in her heart of that sharp sword which was one day to wound so deeply the mother of sorrows; yet in spite of all this, in full view of the present woe, which submission to the Divine will would forthwith bring upon her, with an unknown future of sorrow in the background, Mary submitted herself of her own free will to what she felt was the will and wish of her God.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

“[I am]
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord’s
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

servant,”
δούλη (doulē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1399: A female slave, bonds-maid. Feminine of doulos; a female slave.

Mary
Μαριάμ (Mariam)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3137: Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.

answered.
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“May it happen
γένοιτό (genoito)
Verb - Aorist Optative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

to me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

according to
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

word.”
ῥῆμά (rhēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angel
ἄγγελος (angelos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

left
ἀπῆλθεν (apēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

her.
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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NT Gospels: Luke 1:38 Mary said Behold the handmaid (Luke Lu Lk)