Definition: And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 1:38. It's a really beautiful and important moment in the story of Jesus’ birth! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Mary is recognizing that she’s being guided by God. “Mary said…” – This tells us Mary was listening to something or someone. “…Behold the handmaid of the Lord…” – “Handmaid” can be a little tricky, but it means a helper, an attendant, or someone who is dedicated to serving. In this context, it refers to her role as a devoted follower of God. “be it unto me according to thy word.” – This is the core of the verse. “Thy” is a gentle way of saying "your." It means that Mary's life and actions should be guided by God’s will, just like she’s following His instructions. It’s about obeying His plan for her. “And the angel departed from her.” – The angel who appeared to Mary is leaving. This suggests a significant shift in Mary’s destiny – she's being entrusted with something important. So, it’s like this: Mary was given a special and guiding role by God, and He showed her that He wanted her to follow His instructions completely. What does this mean for Jesus? It means that from the very beginning, God had a plan for Jesus – a plan that would involve Him following His divine will and being guided by Him. In short, it’s a powerful statement about Mary's faith and obedience to God. It emphasizes that she was chosen as a special person who would play a vital role in the coming of Jesus. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse further? For example, would you like to know: What kind of “handmaid” is Mary being referred to? Why does the angel leave?