for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mary highlights that "holy is his name" not just as a descriptor of God's character, but as the very foundation for His "great things" happening. This emphasizes that God's holiness is the source and guarantee of His mighty works, even when they seem impossible to us.
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mary has just visited her relative Elizabeth, who, though elderly and thought to be barren, is miraculously pregnant. Elizabeth greeted Mary with prophetic words, recognizing Mary’s divine calling and the presence of her own unborn son (John the Baptist) leaping in her womb. Mary’s response is a song of praise for the incredible things God has done for her, beginning with her miraculous conception of Jesus.
Mary bursts into song, and the first thing she exclaims is about God's incredible power and what He's done. What does 'great things' really mean here?
When Mary says, 'he who is mighty has done great things for me,' she's not just talking about general blessings. The word for 'great things' here can refer to mighty deeds or miracles. Imagine Mary, a young, humble woman, chosen for an impossible task. Her song is a direct response to the awe-inspiring, miraculous event of her conception of Jesus.
This highlights a key theme: God often works through the unexpected and the seemingly impossible. He doesn't just offer gentle guidance; He unleashes His power in ways that leave us breathless and in awe. For Mary, these 'great things' were deeply personal, showcasing God’s power to fulfill His promises through her, despite her humble circumstances.
After marveling at God’s mighty deeds, Mary’s heart immediately turns to His character. Why is His holiness so central to her praise?
Mary pivots from God's actions to His very nature: 'and holy is his name.' This isn't just a polite add-on; it's foundational. God’s holiness means His absolute purity, His separation from sin, and His perfect righteousness. It’s the bedrock upon which all His actions, including the 'great things' He does, are built.
When we acknowledge God's holiness, we’re recognizing that His mighty acts aren't random or self-serving. They are expressions of His perfect character. His name, representing His very being, is worthy of the highest reverence precisely because He is holy. This truth grounds Mary’s personal experience of God’s favor in the unchanging reality of who God is.
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Understand the original words
hagios · Greek Adjective
A divine attribute describing God’s transcendence, moral purity, and separation from all that is sinful, common, or profane.
Mary's song is filled with echoes of Old Testament themes and language, particularly from Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2). This shows how deeply her faith was rooted in God's promises and past faithfulness, even as she experienced a unique, miraculous event.
~21-20 BC
Conception of John the Baptist
Zechariah, a priest, is visited by the angel Gabriel and told his wife Elizabeth will bear a son, John. Zechariah is struck mute for his disbelief.
~21-20 BC
Conception of Jesus
The angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth and announces she will conceive a son through the Holy Spirit, who will be called Jesus.
~20 BC— this verse
Mary visits Elizabeth
Mary travels to the hill country of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth. Upon Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's unborn child, John, leaps in her womb.
~20 BC
Mary's Song of Praise
In response to Elizabeth's blessing, Mary bursts into a song of praise, known as the Magnificat, celebrating God's miraculous work in her life.
~19 BC
Birth of John the Baptist
Elizabeth gives birth to John. Zechariah's speech is restored, and he prophesies about John's ministry.
~19 BC
Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies. He is laid in a manger, and angels announce his birth to shepherds.
This passage echoes Mary's sentiment, declaring, 'There is none holy like the Lord!' highlighting the unique holiness of God that Mary also exclaims in her song.
Psalm 24:8The description of God as 'mighty in battle' resonates with Mary's acknowledgment of the 'mighty One' who has done great things, underscoring His power and sovereignty.
Isaiah 41:14This verse identifies God as Israel's redeemer, mirroring the 'mighty One' who acts on behalf of the humble, as Mary experiences and proclaims.
Psalm 111:9The psalm states that God's 'name is holy and awesome,' directly correlating with Mary's praise for His holy name, emphasizing its reverence and awe-inspiring nature.
Luke 1:50This verse immediately follows and complements Luke 1:49, stating 'his mercy is for those who fear him, from generation to generation.' It shows that the 'great things' done by the mighty and holy God are intimately tied to His enduring mercy.
barnesLuke 1:49: "For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."
He that is mighty - God. Hath done to me great things - Hath conferred on me great favors and distinguished mercies. And holy is his name - This is an expression of Mary's feelings, desiring to bestow on God all honor and praise. As the highest honor, she declared that his "name" was "holy" - that is, that God was free from sin, injustice, and impurity. The "name" of God is often put for God Himself. The prop…
jfbLuke 1:39-56: "And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;"
Lu 1:39-56. Visit of Mary to Elisabeth.39. hill country—the mountainous tract running along the middle of Judea, from north to south [Webster and Wilkinson].with haste—transported with the announcement to herself and with the tidings, now first made known to her, of Elisabeth's condition.a city of Juda—probably Hebron (see Jos 20:7; 21:11).
Mary highlights that "holy is his name" not just as a descriptor of God's character, but as the very foundation for His "great things" happening. This emphasizes that God's holiness is the source and guarantee of His mighty works, even when they seem impossible to us.
Mary has just visited her relative Elizabeth, who, though elderly and thought to be barren, is miraculously pregnant. Elizabeth greeted Mary with prophetic words, recognizing Mary’s divine calling and the presence of her own unborn son (John the Baptist) leaping in her womb. Mary’s response is a song of praise for the incredible things God has done for her, beginning with her miraculous conception of Jesus.
Mary has just visited her relative Elizabeth, who, though elderly and thought to be barren, is miraculously pregnant. Elizabeth greeted Mary with prophetic words, recognizing Mary’s divine calling and the presence of her own unborn son (John the Baptist) leaping in her womb. Mary’s response is a song of praise for the incredible things God has done for her, beginning with her miraculous conception of Jesus.
"for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." — Mary highlights that "holy is his name" not just as a descriptor of God's character, but as the very foundation for His "great things" happening. This emphasizes that God's holiness is the source and…
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Last reviewed October 2026