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Greek Prep Index

Exegetical Considerations
Luke 1:46-55
Mary, Mother of our Lord/ August 15, 2004

1. What is the literary context of this text?

a. How does that context provide an interpretive framework for this passage?

2. What has been the characterization of
a. Mary up to this point in the story?

b. Elizabeth up to this point in the story?

c. The God-given mission of Mary’s now conceived son?

3. What is the theological understanding of megalunei in v. 46?

a. How does that relate to a theological understanding of the Magnificat?

4. What Old Testament passages are being echoed in line of the text?

a. What is the literary effect of such echoes?

b. What is the theological effect of such echoes?

5. How does v. 47 recall v. 31?

6. How does v. 48 recall v. 25?

7. What is a theological understand of makariousin in v. 48?

a. How does that relate to the use of the perfect passive kecharitomene in v. 28?

8. What is the theological and social vision presented by an unmarried, pregnant, teenage girl in vv. 46-55?

a. What is the significance of the fact that the Greek work eleos used in vv. 50,54 is the LXX rendering of hesed?

9. What is the theological understanding of tapeinosin/tapeinous in vv. 48,52?

10. How does v. 55 recall vv. 19-20,45?

11. What is the depiction of God’s in-breaking activity in this text?