Luke 1:26-56

1:26 | Gabriel is God’s announcing angel. This conversation with Mary probably took place in her home in Nazareth, a city of questionable reputation (John 1:46).

1:28-33 | This passage is often called “the Annunciation.” Many scholars believe that Luke learned the details of this story directly from Mary as part of his research for writing this Gospel.

1:28 | The Latin Vulgate translates highly favored as “full of grace.” This was a special grace endowed by God that Mary could not impart to others. The same phrase describes every believer (Eph. 1:6). Blessed are you among women does not set her above all others (Judg. 5:24); instead, the statement foreshadows her unprecedented role in history.

1:29-30 | Gabriel’s appearance was so out of the ordinary that it totally perplexed Mary – but after her confusion came consideration. The phrase translated she considered what manner of greeting this was means that she turned the event over and over again in her mind.

1:30-33 | The angel described the Redeemer to Mary in very specific terms. In fact, he mentioned seven prophecies (Isa. 7:14) concerning Jesus Christ. The first five were fulfilled when Jesus came to this earth the first time. The last two are yet to be fulfilled (Isa. 9:6-7).

1:31-33 | The name Jesus corresponds to the OT name Joshua, which means “Yahweh Saves.” It was a common name at the time. Jewish historians claim that every Jewish woman in Mary’s day prayed secretly that she might be chosen to become the mother of the Messiah.

1:34 | Asking in faith is very different from asking out of doubt. Mary’s question merely sought clarification about what puzzled her; she did not dismiss the angelic message in unbelief. That she admitted her inability to comprehend the revealed will of God demonstrated her humility and her humanity, not hesitation.

1:35-36 | This is one of the clearest statements on the virgin birth in the entire Bible. Mary did not completely understand the doctrinal significance of the angel’s explanation, but she did know a miracle was about to take place within her. Elizabeth’s pregnancy was further proof of Gabriel’s message.

1:37 | Had Joseph begotten Jesus, then Jesus would have been merely human, not divine. Only a miraculous virgin birth can account for the God-Man. Because of Mary, His mother, Jesus was human; as the eternal Son of God, a member of the Trinity, He is God.

1:38 | Mary’s response is one that all believers should emulate.

1:39-40 | The distance to Elizabeth’s house was at least 40 miles. Still, Mary made haste to get there. If the angel’s words about Elizabeth were true, then what Gabriel had told her was true as well.

1:41-44 | This is one of several passages where Luke emphasizes the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, who had filled John from the moment of his conception, also filled Elizabeth and gave her supernatural knowledge about the child conceived in Mary.

1:45 | In contrast to Zacharias, Mary believed the angel’s report, although she could not imagine how the events he proclaimed would actually occur.

1:46-55 | Mary’s song of praise has been dubbed “the Magnificat,” taken from the Latin translation of the beginning of her song: Magnificat anima mea Dominum, or My soul magnifies the Lord. In many respects, it resembles Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and it quotes or appears to allude to a dozen OT passages.

1:47-48 | Even Mary recognized herself as a lowly human in need of a Savior; she was not divine, nor did she believe herself to be. She was simply divinely blessed.

1:50 | The theme of mercy plays a significant role in the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. Pure love and compassion prompted God to go to such great lengths to respond to the miserable plight of His people, sending His own Son to save them.

1:54-55 | Apparently, Mary knew Scripture and understood that her Son was the fulfillment of many divine promises to Israel down through the centuries, beginning with God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7).