Luke 1:37

Context of Luke 1:37

The statement "For with God nothing shall be impossible" is spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary during the Annunciation. Mary, a virgin, had just received the astonishing news that she would conceive a son, Jesus, by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31). Her natural question, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34), prompts Gabriel's profound response. As further evidence of God's miraculous power, Gabriel also reveals that Mary's elderly cousin Elizabeth, who was barren, was six months pregnant (Luke 1:36). This verse serves as the divine assurance that what seems utterly beyond human capability is entirely within God's power.

Key Themes and Messages

• God's Omnipotence: This verse is a foundational declaration of God's unlimited power. It emphasizes that God is not bound by natural laws or human limitations. What is impossible for humanity is entirely possible for the Creator.
• Faith and Trust: Gabriel's words are an invitation to Mary, and to us, to place our trust in God's ability to perform the supernatural. It encourages a belief that transcends logical explanations and relies solely on divine intervention.
• Miracles and Divine Intervention: The verse underscores the reality of miracles and God's active involvement in human history. The virgin birth of Jesus and the miraculous conception of John the Baptist are prime examples of God doing what only He can do.
• Hope in the Face of Impossibility: For those facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse offers immense hope, reminding believers that God can make a way where there appears to be none.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "nothing shall be impossible" is ouden adynatēsei (οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει). The word adynatēsei comes from adynatos, meaning "powerless, impossible, unable." The emphatic negation ouden ("nothing") before it makes the statement absolute: "nothing will be impossible" or "nothing will be unable." The phrase "with God" (para tou theou) signifies that this power originates from God Himself and is inherent in His nature. This echoes similar declarations of God's power found elsewhere in Scripture, such as Genesis 18:14 ("Is anything too hard for the LORD?") and Jeremiah 32:27.

Practical Application

Luke 1:37 is a timeless truth that offers profound encouragement and a powerful challenge to believers today.

• Overcoming Despair: When faced with overwhelming circumstances, personal struggles, or societal challenges that seem impossible to resolve, this verse reminds us that our limitations are not God's.
• Prayer and Faith: It encourages us to pray with boldness and to exercise faith, knowing that God can work beyond our understanding and expectations. Just as Mary had to believe in the miraculous conception of Jesus, we are called to trust God for His solutions.
• God's Plan: This verse reassures us that God's purposes will always prevail, even when human efforts fail or opposition seems too strong. His divine plan is not hindered by earthly impossibilities.
• Trust in His Sovereignty: It calls us to surrender our anxieties and fears, resting in the knowledge that God is sovereign and capable of handling any situation. As Jesus later taught, "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).