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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mary's response, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," echoes Scripture itself, showing she understood this moment might bring suffering alongside blessing. Her "let it be" isn't just passive acceptance, but an active surrender, trusting God's plan even when its full weight, including potential anguish, began to dawn on her.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Mary that she will miraculously conceive a son, the Son of the Most High, who will reign forever. After Mary expresses her astonishment and asks how this can be possible, the angel assures her that with God nothing is impossible, even citing her relative Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy as proof. Mary then submits to God's plan with humble obedience, and the angel departs.
Mary's initial reaction wasn't immediate, unquestioning belief. What does her questioning reveal about faith, and how does she move past it?
When the angel Gabriel announced she would conceive the Son of God, Mary's first question was practical: 'How shall this be?' (Luke 1:34). This wasn't a lack of faith, but a natural human response to an astonishing, supernatural event. She was grappling with a reality beyond normal experience.
But notice how she moves from this understandable question to her profound 'yes'. The angel's explanation about the Holy Spirit's power and the example of Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy helped her. She then declared, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'
This transition shows us that faith isn't always about instant understanding. It's about moving from confusion or questioning towards trust, especially when God's power is at work in ways we can't fully grasp.
Mary called herself 'the servant of the Lord.' What does this title reveal about her heart and the nature of true obedience?
Mary's declaration, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord,' is powerful. It's not just a job title; it's a statement of identity and complete surrender. She saw herself as wholly belonging to God, ready to do His will, no matter the cost.
This humility is key. She didn't demand explanations or try to control the situation. Instead, she submitted herself to God's plan, acknowledging His absolute authority and power. The phrase 'let it be to me according to your word' is the ultimate act of yielding.
Her response teaches us that true obedience isn't forced compliance; it's a willing surrender that flows from recognizing God's sovereignty and trusting His promises, even when the path ahead is unclear or difficult.
Ask a follow-up
Mary's 'yes' to God wasn't just about a miracle; it involved accepting an unknown, potentially difficult future. What can we learn from her foresight?
While Mary's response is one of faith and surrender, the commentary suggests she may have had a 'half-consciousness' that her acceptance might bring suffering, not just blessing. She knew accepting God's call could lead to hardship.
Her acceptance echoes Jesus' own prayer in Gethsemane: 'Not my will, but yours be done.' This willingness to embrace God's plan, even with its potential pain, is a profound aspect of faith. She wasn't naive; she was courageous.
When we say 'yes' to God, we are often saying yes to a path that isn't fully mapped out. We might not see all the challenges ahead, but like Mary, we can trust that God's plan is ultimately for our good and His glory, even when it involves trials.
Understand the original words
doulē · Greek Noun
A female slave or bondservant; in a theological context, one who is entirely surrendered to the authority, ownership, and purposes of the Lord.
kyrios · Greek Noun
The supreme Authority and Master; a title used for God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the believer's obligation of obedience and submission.
rhēma · Greek Noun
A divine utterance, message, or promise; in this context, the specific prophetic word delivered to Mary regarding the birth of the Messiah.
Mary's response, echoing Old Testament phrases, highlights her faith rooted in Scripture. It demonstrates an immediate, selfless acceptance of God's plan, even acknowledging the potential for suffering that comes with such a divine calling.
c. 1200 BC
King David Reigns in Jerusalem
David, from the tribe of Judah, establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, solidifying his royal lineage and the Davidic covenant.
740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Virgin Birth
The prophet Isaiah foretells that a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, a sign of God's presence and deliverance.
c. 20 BC - 15 BC
Mary and Joseph Betrothed
Mary, a young woman from Nazareth, is betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of King David. This betrothal carries legal weight, similar to marriage.
c. 6 BC— this verse
Angel Appears to Mary
The angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth, announcing that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God. Mary responds with humble submission, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
c. 6 BC
Angel Appears to Zechariah
Gabriel also appears to Zechariah, announcing the birth of John the Baptist to his elderly and previously barren wife, Elizabeth. Zechariah's doubt is met with divine silence until John's birth.
c. 6 BC
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Mary travels to visit her relative Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant. Upon Mary's arrival, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and recognizes the significance of Mary's greeting.
This passage shows a similar humble submission to God's will, mirroring Mary's 'let it be to me according to your word' when Samuel accepts God's pronouncement, even knowing it involves difficult consequences.
Genesis 22:1Abraham's response to God's testing ('Here am I') echoes Mary's readiness to embrace God's plan, even when it's unfathomable and potentially painful.
Matthew 1:19Joseph's response to the angel's message about Mary reveals a similar struggle with the unexpected, yet ultimately leads to obedience and acceptance of God's plan for Jesus.
Romans 12:1Paul calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Mary's 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord' is a profound example of this sacrificial offering of oneself to God's purposes.
John 6:38Jesus' statement, 'For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me,' reflects the ultimate fulfillment of Mary's surrendered attitude, demonstrating perfect obedience to the Father's plan.
cambridgeLuke 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."
38 . be it unto me according to thy word ] The thoughts of the Virgin Mary seem to have found their most natural utterance in the phrases of Scripture. 1 Samuel 3:18 , “If it be the Lord let Him do what seemeth Him good.” For Mary too was aware that her high destiny must be mingled with anguish. And the angel departed from her ] We can best appreciate the noble simp…
calvinLuke 1:34-38: "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"
- And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man? 35. And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which shall be born shall be called the Son of God. 36. And, behold, Elisabeth thy cousin, even she hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her w…
Mary's response, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," echoes Scripture itself, showing she understood this moment might bring suffering alongside blessing. Her "let it be" isn't just passive acceptance, but an active surrender, trusting God's plan even when its full weight, including potential anguish, began to dawn on her.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Mary that she will miraculously conceive a son, the Son of the Most High, who will reign forever. After Mary expresses her astonishment and asks how this can be possible, the angel assures her that with God nothing is impossible, even citing her relative Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy as proof. Mary then submits to God's plan with humble obedience, and the angel departs.
The angel Gabriel has just announced to Mary that she will miraculously conceive a son, the Son of the Most High, who will reign forever. After Mary expresses her astonishment and asks how this can be possible, the angel assures her that with God nothing is impossible, even citing her relative Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy as proof. Mary then submits to God's plan with humble obedience, and the angel departs.
"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." — Mary's response, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," echoes Scripture itself, showing she understood this moment might bring suffering alongside blessing.…
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Last reviewed October 2026