New Testament
Luke 11:27
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While he was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!"
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And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
What Luke 11:27 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a woman in the crowd expresses admiration for Jesus by proclaiming that his mother is blessed for giving birth to him and nursing him. This statement highlights the honor and reverence given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the context of his teachings. The woman's exclamation reflects a common cultural sentiment of valuing motherhood and the special role of women in nurturing and raising children. Jesus, however, redirects the focus from physical lineage to spiritual kinship, emphasizing that true blessedness comes from hearing and obeying God's word. This moment illustrates the importance of spiritual relationships over mere biological connections, inviting listeners to consider what it means to be part of God's family through faith and obedience.
How to apply Luke 11:27 to your life
This verse encourages us to appreciate the role of mothers and the importance of nurturing relationships. It also reminds us that true blessing comes from our relationship with God, urging us to focus on spiritual growth and obedience to His word rather than just physical lineage or heritage.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Plain Meaning
A woman in the crowd calls out a blessing on Jesus' mother. 'Blessed is the womb that bare thee' means: how happy is the woman who gave birth to you. 'The paps which thou hast sucked' means the woman who nursed him as a baby. She is saying Jesus is so remarkable that his mother must be the most fortunate woman alive.
Read It in Context
Jesus has just been teaching and casting out a devil. The crowd has been watching. The woman speaks up from that crowd. Jesus answers her directly in the very next verse.
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 11:27 mean?
In Luke 11:27, a woman praises Jesus' mother for her role in giving birth to him, highlighting the honor of motherhood. Jesus responds by emphasizing that true blessedness comes from hearing and obeying God's word, shifting the focus from physical lineage to spiritual relationships.
What is the significance of the woman's statement in Luke 11:27?
The woman's statement in Luke 11:27 reflects a cultural appreciation for motherhood and the special role of women. It shows admiration for Mary, but Jesus uses this moment to teach that spiritual kinship and obedience to God are more important than biological connections.
What does Jesus mean by spiritual kinship in Luke 11:27?
In Luke 11:27, Jesus indicates that being part of God's family is based on faith and obedience rather than physical lineage. He teaches that true blessings come from listening to and following God's word, which is more significant than merely being related to him by blood.
How does Luke 11:27 relate to the theme of motherhood?
Luke 11:27 highlights the honor given to mothers, as the woman praises Jesus' mother for her nurturing role. This verse acknowledges the importance of motherhood while also redirecting the focus to the spiritual responsibilities and blessings that come from following God's teachings.
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