What does Luke chapter 1 verses 46 to 55 say?

Answer 1

This is Mary's joyful response to Elizabeth's own song of praise and thankfulness. All of the Greek manuscripts say the Magnificat was Mary's speech.

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Answer 2

Luke 1:47-55 is a song of praise, called the Magnificat. It was actually based on Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel chapter 2, as a parallel reading of the two will show. In fact, some manuscripts of the New Testament indicate that it was not Mary but Elizabeth who sang the Magnificat in Luke 1.47-55, as do the early Church Fathers Irenaeus and Origen . Although uncertain, this makes some sense, given the parallels between the stories of Hannah and Elizabeth and between 1 Samuel 2 and Luke.