“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37 (ESV)
When you stand at the edge of an impossible situation—a diagnosis that shatters hope, a relationship that seems beyond healing, a dream that feels forever out of reach—Luke 1:37 speaks directly into that darkness with a promise that defies human logic: Nothing is impossible with God.
This isn’t wishful thinking or religious rhetoric. This is the eternal truth spoken by the angel Gabriel to a young virgin named Mary, in a moment that would forever change the course of human history. If God can bring forth the Savior of the world from the womb of an ordinary girl in Nazareth, what makes you think your impossible is too difficult for Him?
The Complete Verse: What Does Luke 1:37 Really Say?
Luke 1:37 (NIV): “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:37 (ESV): “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (KJV): “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
While English translations vary slightly, the core message remains unshakeable: God’s power knows no limits. The Greek phrase “ouk adunatesei para tou Theou pan rhema” literally means “not will be impossible with God every word/thing.” Every promise God makes, every plan He declares, carries the full weight of His omnipotence behind it.
The Context: Mary’s Encounter with the Angel Gabriel
To fully grasp the power of Luke 1:37, we must understand the extraordinary conversation that preceded it.
The Miraculous Announcement (Luke 1:26-33)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (itself a miracle, as she was barren and advanced in years), God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary. Gabriel’s message was staggering:
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:30-32, NIV)
Mary’s Question and God’s Answer (Luke 1:34-37)
Mary’s response was honest and human: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)
Gabriel didn’t rebuke her for questioning—he explained the divine plan: The Holy Spirit would come upon her. The power of the Most High would overshadow her. The holy child born to her would be called the Son of God.
And then came the verse that has anchored millions of believers through their own impossible circumstances:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
Gabriel reminded Mary of her relative Elizabeth—barren, elderly, now six months pregnant. If God could open a closed womb and bring life where there was none, He could certainly accomplish the virgin birth of His own Son.
Breaking Down “Nothing Is Impossible with God”
The Greek Meaning Behind the Promise
The Greek word for “impossible” here is adunatesei, derived from adunatos, meaning “without power” or “unable.” When the Bible says “nothing is impossible with God,” it’s declaring that there is no situation, no matter how dire, that exists outside the realm of God’s power.
The phrase “para tou Theou” means “with God” or “in the presence of God.” In God’s presence, in His will, in His timing, impossibility ceases to exist.
What “Nothing” Truly Encompasses
- Your shattered marriage. God can restore what sin has torn apart (Joel 2:25).
- Your terminal diagnosis. God can heal when medicine has no answer (Jeremiah 32:27).
- Your financial ruin. God can provide when bank accounts run dry (Philippians 4:19).
- Your prodigal child. God can redeem the wandering heart (Luke 15:20).
- Your broken dream. God can resurrect what you thought was dead (Ezekiel 37:3).
Nothing means nothing. No addiction. No anxiety. No diagnosis. No debt. No division. No defeat.
Biblical Examples of God’s Impossible Made Possible
Abraham and Sarah’s Child in Old Age (Genesis 18:14)
When God promised Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age (Abraham was 100, Sarah was 90), Sarah laughed in disbelief. God’s response echoed the same truth of Luke 1:37:
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14, NIV)
Isaac, whose name means “laughter,” was born exactly as God promised—a living testimony that age, biology, and human limitations bow to divine power.
The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)
When the Israelites stood trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the impassable Red Sea, God didn’t tell Moses to negotiate or surrender. He told him to move forward. The sea parted. The people walked through on dry ground. The impossible became reality.
Jesus Walking on Water (Matthew 14:25-27)
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee during a storm, they were terrified. Peter, emboldened by faith, asked to join Him—and did the impossible himself, walking on water until doubt crept in.
The lesson? When you keep your eyes on Jesus, the impossible becomes possible.
The Resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:5-7)
The greatest impossibility ever conquered: death itself. When Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, He didn’t just defeat death—He proved once and for all that nothing, not even the grave, is beyond God’s power.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:6, NIV)
How to Apply Luke 1:37 to Your Life Today
When You Face Financial Impossibilities
Perhaps you’re drowning in debt, facing job loss, or watching your savings evaporate. God, who fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, can multiply what you have and provide what you lack (Matthew 14:19-20).
Prayer: “Lord, You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. You see my financial need, and I trust that nothing is impossible for You. Provide for me according to Your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Amen.”
When Health Challenges Seem Insurmountable
Maybe the doctor’s report is grim, the prognosis bleak, the treatment options exhausted. The God who healed the lepers, gave sight to the blind, and raised Lazarus from the dead still heals today (James 5:14-15).
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, You are the Great Physician. I bring my body, my diagnosis, my fear before You. I believe that nothing is impossible with You. Heal me according to Your will, and give me peace in the waiting. Amen.”
When Relationships Appear Beyond Repair
Whether it’s a broken marriage, an estranged family member, or a friendship destroyed by betrayal, God specializes in restoration and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Prayer: “God of reconciliation, this relationship feels dead. But I know You can resurrect what seems lost. Soften hearts, heal wounds, and restore what the enemy has stolen. Nothing is impossible with You. Amen.”
When Your Dreams Feel Out of Reach
If you’ve been waiting for a promise that feels delayed, a calling that seems deferred, or a dream that appears denied, remember: God’s timing is perfect, and His promises never fail (Habakkuk 2:3).
Prayer: “Lord, I surrender my dreams, my timeline, my expectations to You. I trust that what You have promised, You will fulfill. Nothing is impossible with You. Help me wait with faith, not frustration. Amen.”
Praying Luke 1:37 Over Your Impossible Situation
Here is a powerful prayer you can pray daily:
“Father God, I come before You with [name your impossible situation]. It feels overwhelming, insurmountable, and beyond my control. But Your Word says that nothing is impossible with You. I choose to believe that promise today.
Just as You opened Elizabeth’s womb, just as You brought forth Jesus from a virgin’s womb, just as You parted the Red Sea and raised Christ from the dead—You can move in my situation.
I surrender my doubt. I release my fear. I place my trust entirely in Your power, Your timing, and Your goodness. I declare that what is impossible with man is possible with You.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”
Common Questions About God’s Power and Impossibilities
Does This Mean God Will Give Me Everything I Want?
No. Luke 1:37 doesn’t mean God is a cosmic vending machine who grants every wish. It means God’s will cannot be thwarted. Mary’s “yes” to God’s plan led to the cross before the crown, suffering before glory.
God’s “impossibles” are always aligned with His perfect will and your ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
What If My Prayers Seem Unanswered?
Unanswered prayers often become God’s greatest protection. Sometimes the miracle isn’t getting what you asked for—it’s being spared from what would have harmed you.
Trust that God’s “no” or “not yet” is just as powerful as His “yes” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
How Do I Build Faith When Doubt Feels Overwhelming?
Faith isn’t the absence of doubt—it’s the choice to trust despite doubt. Mary questioned the angel, yet she still said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Strengthen your faith by:
- Reading God’s Word daily (Romans 10:17)
- Recalling past miracles in your life (Psalm 77:11)
- Surrounding yourself with believers who encourage your faith (Hebrews 10:25)
- Praying boldly, even when you don’t feel it (Mark 9:24)
Conclusion: Living in the Confidence of Luke 1:37
The same God who spoke to Mary in Luke 1:37 is speaking to you today. Your impossible situation is not a surprise to Him. It’s not too difficult for Him. It’s not beyond His reach.
Nothing—absolutely nothing—is impossible with God.
So take that step of faith. Speak to your mountain. Declare God’s promises over your life. Trust that the God who created the universe with a word can certainly handle whatever you’re facing.
And when your breakthrough comes—and it will—you’ll look back and say with Mary:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV)
Amen.