Luke 1:33
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Study Note
Study Note
Gabriel's announcement that the child born of Mary 'shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end' applies the unconditional Davidic covenant of 2 Samuel 7:13 to Jesus. The phrase 'house of Jacob' deliberately expands the scope beyond Judah to encompass all twelve tribes, resonating with messianic restoration theology in Isaiah and Ezekiel. The word 'forever' (eis tous aiōnas) echoes Daniel 7:14, where the one like a son of man receives an everlasting dominion — a text Jesus applies to himself in the Gospels. This verse stands at the opening of Luke's narrative as a programmatic Christological statement: the entire Gospel and Acts unfolds as the inauguration of this eternal kingdom.
Other Translations
and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.'
He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Cross References
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
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