Luke 1:32

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

He {G3778} shall be {G2071} great {G3173}, and {G2532} shall be called {G2564} the Son {G5207} of the Highest {G5310}: and {G2532} the Lord {G2962} God {G2316} shall give {G1325} unto him {G846} the throne {G2362} of his {G846} father {G3962} David {G1138}:

He will be great, he will be called Son of Ha`Elyon. ADONAI, God, will give him the throne of his forefather David;

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Context of Luke 1:32

This powerful verse is part of the angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, found in the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel has just informed Mary that she will miraculously conceive a son, Jesus, through the power of the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35). Luke 1:32 then elaborates on the identity and destiny of this extraordinary child, revealing His divine nature and royal lineage. It sets the stage for understanding Jesus' unique role in salvation history, connecting Him directly to the expectations of the Jewish people for their Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Unparalleled Greatness: The declaration "He shall be great" signifies Jesus' supreme importance and authority, distinguishing Him from all other human figures. This greatness is not merely earthly but tied to His divine nature and eternal reign.
  • Divine Sonship: Being "called the Son of the Highest" unequivocally establishes Jesus' divine origin and unique relationship with God the Father. This title emphasizes His deity and position as the Son of God, a foundational truth of Christian theology.
  • Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy: The promise that "the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David" is a direct reference to the ancient Davidic Covenant. God had promised King David that his throne would be established forever through his descendants. This verse confirms that Jesus, though born to humble parents, is the rightful heir to David's throne, fulfilling centuries of Messianic expectation for a king who would rule eternally (Isaiah 9:7).

Linguistic Insights

The term "Highest" in Greek is Hypsistos (Ὕψιστος), which is frequently used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to refer to God Almighty. By calling Jesus the "Son of the Highest," Gabriel affirms Jesus' essential unity and shared nature with God, establishing His divine identity. This isn't merely a title of honor but a declaration of His intrinsic deity.

Practical Application and Significance

Luke 1:32 provides profound assurance to believers. It highlights that Jesus is not just a prophet or a good teacher, but the divinely appointed King and Son of God. For those seeking to understand Jesus' identity, this verse offers clear answers: He is both truly God and truly human, the promised Messiah. His greatness and eternal reign mean that His kingdom is not of this world, yet it impacts every aspect of our lives. This promise of an everlasting throne brings hope and stability, reminding us that God's plan is unfolding precisely as prophesied, culminating in the eternal reign of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Isaiah 16:5

    And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

  • Luke 1:35

    And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

  • 2 Samuel 7:11

    And as since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

  • 2 Samuel 7:13

    He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

  • Psalms 132:11

    ¶ The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
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