Luke 1:26-38
26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 26: “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,”
This verse sets the scene. It tells us the timing and location. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, is six months pregnant. Gabriel, a messenger from God, is sent to Nazareth, a small town in Galilee.
Verse 27: “to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”
Mary is introduced. She is a virgin engaged to Joseph. Joseph is from the lineage of David, which is significant for fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah.
Verse 28: “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'”
Gabriel greets Mary with a message of favor. He assures her that God is with her. This greeting is both comforting and significant.
Verse 29: “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”
Mary is confused and troubled. She is trying to understand the meaning behind Gabriel’s greeting.
Verse 30: “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.'”
Gabriel reassures Mary. He tells her not to be afraid and confirms that she has found favor with God.
Verse 31: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
Gabriel delivers the core message. Mary will conceive a son and name him Jesus. This is a direct and clear prophecy.
Verse 32: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,”
Gabriel describes Jesus’ future. He will be great and called the Son of the Most High. He will inherit David’s throne, indicating his royal and divine status.
Verse 33: “and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Jesus’ reign is eternal. He will rule over the descendants of Jacob forever. His kingdom is everlasting.
Verse 34: “‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’
Mary questions the angel. She is a virgin and wonders how she can conceive a child. Her question is practical and sincere.
Verse 35: “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’
Gabriel explains the divine mechanism. The Holy Spirit will come upon Mary. The power of the Most High will overshadow her. The child will be holy and called the Son of God.
Verse 36: “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.”
Gabriel provides a sign. Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, is now six months pregnant. This miracle supports the possibility of Mary’s conception.
Verse 37: “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Gabriel emphasizes God’s omnipotence. God’s word is infallible. What He says will happen, will indeed happen.
Verse 38: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.”
Mary submits to God’s will. She accepts her role as the Lord’s servant. Her faith and obedience are evident. The angel then departs.