And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

LUKE 1:42KJV
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Luke 1:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 1:42 mean?

Luke 1:42 records Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, loudly blessing Mary and the child she is carrying, saying Mary is especially favored among women and that the child in her womb is also blessed. This verse highlights both Mary’s unique role and the special significance of her unborn child.

Elizabeth is speaking to Mary after Mary visits her. Elizabeth, herself pregnant with John the Baptist, recognizes through divine insight that Mary’s child is extraordinary. The verse captures Elizabeth’s joyful outburst, emphasizing the honor given to Mary and to Jesus even before his birth.

The Greek behind Luke 1:42

  • "Blessed" (εὐλογημένη, eulogēmenē): This word means to be spoken well of or favored. Elizabeth uses it to describe both Mary and the child, showing a sense of honor and divine approval.
  • "Fruit" (καρπός, karpos): This term literally means "fruit," but here it refers to the child in Mary’s womb. The phrase "fruit of thy womb" is a respectful and poetic way of speaking about pregnancy in ancient times.
  • "With a loud voice" (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, phōnē megalē): The Greek emphasizes that Elizabeth did not speak quietly or privately; she proclaimed her blessing with strong emotion and volume, showing her excitement and conviction.

Why Luke 1:42 matters

  • Luke 1:42 clarifies that Mary’s special status comes from God’s choice and blessing, not from anything she did on her own.
  • The verse shows that even before Jesus is born, his importance is recognized by others through the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
  • This moment connects Mary’s story to the larger theme of God working through unexpected people and moments, setting the stage for the events that follow in Luke’s Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“womb” Greek G2836 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
  • Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
  • Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

“Blessed” Greek G2127 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Luke 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
  • Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

“fruit” Greek G2590 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Mark 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
  • Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

“voice” Greek G5456 · used in 129 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
  • Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;