Luke 1:37 Meaning and Explanation
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Context of Luke 1:37
Spoken by the angel Gabriel at the annunciation, immediately after Mary asks how she can conceive, and right after he reveals that her aged kinswoman Elisabeth is also with child.
What Does Luke 1:37 Mean?
The angel says this to assure Mary that the miracle announced to her rests entirely on God's power, not on human possibility. Mary has just asked how she could bear a son when she has not known a man (Luke 1:34). Instead of explaining the mechanics, Gabriel points her past the limits of nature to the One who set those limits in the first place. The statement is sweeping yet personal: it is given to settle the heart of a young woman facing something unprecedented.
The phrasing deliberately echoes the promise given to Abraham and Sarah, where God asked, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). Luke wants the reader to hear that same voice now speaking to Mary. The God who opened a barren womb in old age, and who has just done so again for Elisabeth (Luke 1:36), is fully able to do what He has spoken. The verse does not promise that God will do whatever we wish; it grounds confidence in His character and His word. What God declares, He has the power to perform. For every reader who faces a situation that looks closed, this verse reframes the question, turning it from what is possible for us to what is possible for Him.
Luke 1:37 in the Original Language
The Greek reads ouk adynatesei para tou Theou pan rhema, literally "no word from God shall be without power." The term rhema (word) ties God's promise to His ability to fulfill it.
Bible Verses Related to Luke 1:37
“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
- Genesis 18:14
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
- Jeremiah 32:27
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
- Matthew 19:26
How to Apply Luke 1:37 Today
When facing what looks beyond hope, anchor your confidence in the God who keeps His word rather than in the odds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 1:37
Does Luke 1:37 mean God will do anything I ask?
No. The verse declares that nothing God has promised is beyond His power. It assures us of His ability to keep His word, not that He grants every human request.
Why does the angel mention this to Mary?
Mary had asked how conception was possible for her. Rather than explain how, Gabriel directs her trust to God's unlimited power, echoing God's earlier promise to Sarah.