The interpretation timeline

Luke 1:38

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Methodist · 1 Catholic · 1 Reformed

Luke 1:38 · Douay-Rheims
“And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1832
A.D.
Adam Clarke Methodist
1762–1832
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord - I fully credit what thou sayest, and am perfectly ready to obey thy commands, and to accomplish all the purposes of thy grace concerning me. It appears that at the instant of this act of faith, and purposed obedience, the conception of the immaculate humanity of Jesus took place; and it was Done unto her according to his word. See Luk 1:35.”
Source
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“Behold the handmaid. With all modesty and humility of heart and mind, the blessed Virgin consented to the divine will: and from that moment in her was conceived the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. (Witham) — Thus ought the virgin, who brought forth meekness and humility itself, to shew forth an example of the most profound humility. (St. Ambrose)”
Source
1871
A.D.
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.