Luke 1:43
in Luke 1And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me?
KJV
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
⋯
This verse in Luke 1
Commentary
14 notes on this verseShe says it not ignorantly, for she knew it was by the grace and operation of the Holy Spirit that the mother of the prophet should be saluted by the mother of his Lord, to the advancement and growth of her own pledge; but being aware that this was of no human deserving, but a gift of Divine grace, she therefore says, Whence is this to me, that is, By what right of mine, by what that I have done, for what good deeds?
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
(non occ. vide Theoph. et. Tit. Bost.) Now in saying this, she coincides with her son. For John also felt that he was unworthy of our Lord's coming to him. But she gives the name of "the mother of our Lord" to one still a virgin, thus forestalling the event by the words of prophecy. Divine foreknowledge brought Mary to Elisabeth, that the testimony of John might reach the Lord. For from that time Christ ordained John to be a prophet. Hence it follows, For, to, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded, &c.
This is the prophetess Elisabeth, who by the Holy Spirit was privileged to prophesy both concerning the Lord Christ and the Holy Virgin, speaking thus: And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Thus both the father …
The Medieval Church3 voices
(super Ezech. lib. i. Hom. i. 8.) She was touched with the spirit of prophecy at once, both as to the past, present, and future. She knew that Mary had believed the promises of the Angel; she perceived when she gave her the name of mother, that Many was carrying in her womb the Redeemer of mankind; and when she foretold that all things would be accomplished, she saw also what was to follow in the future.
(Severus.) From this place we derive the refutation of Eutyches, in that Christ is stated to be the fruit of the womb. For all fruit is of the same nature with the tree that bears it. It remains then that the virgin was also of the same nature with the second Adam, who takes away the sins of the world. But let those also who invent curious fictions concerning the flesh of Christ, blush when they hear of the real child-bearing of the mother of God. For the fruit itself proceeds from the very substance of the tree. Where too are those who say that Christ passed through the virgin as water through an aqueduct? Let these consider the words of Elisabeth who was filled with the Spirit, that Christ was the fruit of the womb. It follows, And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
And how has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? She does not inquire as if she does not know what she indeed recognizes to be of the Holy Spirit, namely, that she is blessed by the mother …
8 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church3 voices
Just as later, when Christ came to be baptized, John forbade Him out of reverence, saying, "I am not worthy" (Matt. 3:14, 11), so now he proclaims through his mother: "How is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" calling her …
"And whence does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Oh! What great humility in the mind of the prophet! How true the utterance of the Lord, in which he said, "Upon whom does my spirit rest if …
He therefore introduces an admirative proclamation when Elizabeth says: And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For this is greatly praiseworthy and also wonderful, that a woman should be the Mother of God, and that the …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
And whence is this to me,..... How comes it to pass, that such notice is taken of me, such an honour is done me; that besides being favoured with a child, who shall be great, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
And whence is this to me? - An expression of humility. Why is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me, as if to honor me? Mother of my Lord - The word “Lord” sometimes denotes “divinity,” and sometimes superior, master, teacher, or governor. It was given by the Jews to their expected Messiah; but whether they understood it as denoting divinity cannot now be ascertained. It is clear only that Elizabeth used it as denoting great dignity and honor.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
We should observe in this passage — the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers. We read of a visit paid by Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both of these holy women were cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elizabeth might never have been so filled with the Holy Spirit, as we are here told she was; and Mary might never have uttered that song of praise which is now known all over the Church of Christ.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
We should observe in this passage — the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers. We read of a visit paid by Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both of these holy women were cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elizabeth might never have been so filled with the Holy Spirit, as we are here told she was; and Mary might never have uttered that song of praise which is now known all over the Church of Christ. The words of an old divine are deep and true, "Happiness communicated, doubles itself. Grief grows greater by concealing — joy grows greater by expression." We should always regard communion with other believers as an eminent means of grace. It is a refreshing break in our journey along the narrow way, to exchange experience with our fellow travelers. It helps us insensibly, and it helps them — and so it is a mutual gain. It is the nearest approach that we can make on earth, to the joy of Heaven. "As iron sharpens iron, so does the countenance of a man his friend." We need reminding of this. The subject does not receive sufficient attention, and the souls of believers suffer in consequence. There are many who fear the Lord and think upon His name — and yet forget to speak often one to another. (Malachi 3:16.) First let us seek the face of God — then let us seek the face of God's friends. If we did this more, and were more careful about the company we keep — we would oftener know what it is to feel filled with the Holy Spirit. We should observe in this passage — the clear spiritual knowledge which appears in the language of Elizabeth. She uses an expression about Mary which shows that she herself was deeply taught of God. She calls her, "the mother of my Lord."
The mother of my Lord - The prophetic spirit, which appears to have overshadowed Elisabeth, gave her a clear understanding in the mystery of the birth of the promised Messiah.
The words behind it
13 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| πόθεν | pothen | from where | G4159 → | 29 times |
| μοι | moi | to me | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| τοῦτο | touto | this | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἔλθῃ | elthe | may come | G2064 → | 628 times |
| ἡ | he | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μήτηρ | meter | mother | G3384 → | 83 times |
| τοῦ | tou | of the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| κυρίου | kuriou | Lord | G2962 → | 711 times |
| μου | mou | of mine | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| πρὸς | pros | to | G4314 → | 700 times |
| ἐμέ; | eme | me myself? | G1473 → | 839 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
πόθενfrom where
pothenG4159 →29 times
μοιto me
moiG3165 →1936 times
τοῦτοthis
toutoG3778 →1381 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἔλθῃmay come
eltheG2064 →628 times
ἡthe
heG3588 →19766 times
μήτηρmother
meterG3384 →83 times
τοῦof the
touG3588 →19766 times
κυρίουLord
kuriouG2962 →711 times
μουof mine
mouG3165 →1936 times
πρὸςto
prosG4314 →700 times
ἐμέ;me myself?
emeG1473 →839 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Luke 2:11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
it leads to
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of…
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
- Acts 2:36
Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
- Titus 3:4–7
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
- Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Isaiah 9:6
Through
John 20:28Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
it leads to
- John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
- 1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world,…
- John 1:1
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies40
Show the next 6 titles
- David, a Type of Christ
- Elijah the Tishbite
- Why Four Gospels
- The Genealogies of Christ
- Luke, the Study Guide
- Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21
Show the next 6 titles
About Luke

This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Ancient Greek Expositor, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bede, On the Gospel of Luke; Bede, Homilies on the Gospels 1.4; Bonaventure, Commentary on Luke, Chapter 1; Cosmas Indicopleustes, The Christian Topography, Book 5; Gregory the Dialogist, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Luke.
