“And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 1:45 Mean?
Elizabeth speaks this blessing to Mary, who has just arrived at her home pregnant with Jesus. "Blessed is she that believed" identifies the source of Mary's blessedness: not her worthiness, but her belief. She believed the angel's promise, and that belief is what made her blessed.
The word "performance" means fulfillment — completion of what was promised. Elizabeth is declaring that God's promises to Mary will be fulfilled. What was spoken will come to pass.
This blessing is specifically about a woman who believed. In a culture where women's voices and faith were often overlooked, Elizabeth singles out Mary's act of belief as the most important thing about her.
The verse connects belief with fulfillment: because Mary believed, there will be a performance of the promise. Her faith did not create the promise — God did. But her faith was the posture that received it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What promise from God are you still waiting to see fulfilled?
- 2.How is Mary's faith a model for receiving things you do not understand?
- 3.What does it mean that the 'performance' belongs to God while the believing belongs to you?
- 4.How does Elizabeth's affirmation of Mary's faith encourage you in your own?
Devotional
Blessed is she that believed. Elizabeth does not say blessed is she that was perfect, or brave, or qualified. Blessed is she that believed.
Mary was a teenager from nowhere who was told something impossible and said yes. Her qualification was not her résumé. It was her willingness to believe a promise that made no human sense.
For there shall be a performance. What God promised will be completed. The performance is not Mary's — it is God's. She believed; he performs. The fulfillment belongs to the one who made the promise.
If you are holding a promise from God that has not been fulfilled yet — something spoken into your life that you are still waiting for — Elizabeth's words are for you. Blessed is she that believed. The believing is the hard part. The performance belongs to God.
You do not have to make the promise come true. You have to believe it. The rest is his.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And blessed is she that believed..... Meaning Mary, a woman, a very young woman, and who had had things very incredible…
Blessed is she that believed - That is, “Mary” who believed what the angel spoke to her. She was blessed not only in the…
Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be, etc. - Or, Blessed is she who hath believed that there shall be, etc.…
We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour…
blessed is she that believed Perhaps Elizabeth had in mind the affliction which had followed her husband's doubt. Comp.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture