Luke 1:26-37 · Bible study
Luke 1:26-37 Commentary: Annunciation in Nazareth
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did God choose Nazareth and a virgin for the news of Christ's birth? This study explores the grace, promise, and faith in the Annunciation.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God announces the incarnation through Gabriel to a virgin in Nazareth, fulfilling messianic promises and revealing grace.
- Key words: κεχαριτωμένη (highly favored, perfect passive participle indicating God’s gratuitous grace); ἐπισκιάσει (overshadow, evoking the Shekinah, Cambridge); ῥῆμα (spoken word from God, active and creative).
- Main debate: Whether κεχαριτωμένη denotes Mary’s inherent state (Catholic tradition read as “full of grace”) or God’s active favor (Protestant emphasis, following Vincent).
- Theological theme: the humility of God in the incarnation; the union of divine initiative and human response.
- Best use: Advent preaching, teaching on the virgin birth, and small-group study on faith in God’s promises.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
28The angel appeared 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.
30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name 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 the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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.
36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
37For no word from God will ever fail.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
26Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
29But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
30The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name 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 the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
KJV King James Version 1769
26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.
29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.
30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
31And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.
36And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.
37For no word from God shall be void of power.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
26And in the sixth month was the messenger Gabriel sent by God, to a city of Galilee, the name of which is Nazareth,
27to a virgin, betrothed to a man, whose name is Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of the virgin is Mary.
28And the messenger having come in unto her, said, `Hail, favoured one, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women;'
29and she, having seen, was troubled at his word, and was reasoning of what kind this salutation may be.
30And the messenger said to her, `Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God;
31and lo, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus;
32he shall be great, and Son of the Highest he shall be called, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father,
33and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.'
34And Mary said unto the messenger, `How shall this be, seeing a husband I do not know?'
35And the messenger answering said to her, `The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God;
36and lo, Elisabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her who was called barren;
37because nothing shall be impossible with God.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
26But in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent of God to a city of Galilee, of which [the] name [was] Nazareth,
27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name [was] Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
28And the angel came in to her, and said, Hail, [thou] favoured one! the Lord [is] with thee: [blessed art thou amongst women].
29But she, [seeing] [the angel], was troubled at his word, and reasoned in her mind what this salutation might be.
30And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God;
31and behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb and bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
32He shall be great, and shall be called Son of [the] Highest; and [the] Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father;
33and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for the ages, and of his kingdom there shall not be an end.
34But Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man?
35And the angel answering said to her, [The] Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and power of [the] Highest overshadow thee, wherefore the holy thing also which shall be born shall be called Son of God.
36And behold, Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her that was called barren:
37for nothing shall be impossible with God.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
26And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,
27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.
28And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
30And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
31Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
32He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
33And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?
35And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren.
37Because no word shall be impossible with God.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 1:26
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that God’s choice of Nazareth, an obscure Galilean village (John 1:46), underscores the humility of the incarnation. Calvin notes that God’s ways confound human expectations; Barnes adds that the fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 2:23) validates Jesus’ messianic credentials through lowliness. The angel greets Mary with the perfect passive participle κεχαριτωμένη, meaning “endued with grace” (Vincent), not “full of grace” as an inherent quality. The promise that Jesus “will be called the Son of the Most High” and receive David’s throne directly echoes 2 Samuel 7 and Isaiah 9, linking him to covenantal hope. Mary’s question (“How can this be?”) is consistently read not as unbelief, unlike Zechariah’s demand for a sign, but as a sincere inquiry into the manner of conception (Clarke; JFB). The angel’s answer, grounding conception in the Holy Spirit’s overshadowing, points back to the creative power of God (Genesis 18:14). The passage thus affirms the virgin birth, Jesus’ divine sonship, and the eternal nature of his kingdom.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: All Christian traditions affirm that this passage teaches the virgin birth of Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit; that Jesus is the divine Son of God and the promised Davidic king; and that Mary responded in faith to God's extraordinary call.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Mary's title 'highly favored' | Mary received a unique grace from God to be the mother of the Messiah. | Roman Catholic tradition, based on the Vulgate's 'full of grace,' sees this as implying her sinless state from conception; Protestant interpreters emphasize the passive sense of the Greek (κεχαριτωμένη) as 'endued with grace,' pointing solely to God's action. |
| Jesus' kingdom forever | Jesus is the Davidic king whose reign has no end. | Some Christians understand this as a literal earthly reign at the end of history; others see it as Jesus' present spiritual reign through the Church, with a future consummation. |
| Mary's knowledge of a man | Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. | The passage does not address her marital life after Jesus' birth; thus some traditions (Catholic, Orthodox) hold her perpetual virginity, while most Protestants infer that she later had children with Joseph. |
| The nature of conception by the Holy Spirit | Jesus' conception was a direct act of God, not by natural means. | The word 'overshadow' (ἐπισκιάσει) is interpreted by some as a literal creative act, while others see a more mystical, spiritual union; both affirm the supernatural character. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage takes place in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, tying John the Baptist’s birth to Jesus’ by a six-month interval (Barnes; Cambridge). Nazareth was a small, unremarkable town in Galilee, a region often looked down upon by Judeans (John 7:41). Betrothal was a legally binding commitment, often arranged a year before the marriage ceremony; Mary was “espoused” (ἐμνηστευμένην) but not yet living with Joseph, which made her pregnancy scandalous without an angelic explanation (Cambridge; Wesley). Joseph is identified as being of the house of David, a lineage crucial for messianic expectation (Luke 2:4). The angel Gabriel, whose name means “man of God,” had earlier appeared to Zechariah in the temple (Luke 1:19), showing a pattern of divine messengers preparing for redemption.
Socially, a woman’s barrenness was considered a reproach (Luke 1:25), so Elizabeth’s pregnancy was itself a miracle that strengthened Mary’s faith. The angel’s greeting “Hail” (χαῖρε) was a common salutation, yet the following phrase “highly favored” signaled extraordinary grace. Mary’s response, being “troubled” and “pondering” the greeting, reflects both the cultural expectation of modesty and the sheer astonishment of receiving such a message. Herod’s reign, with its political tension and Roman occupation, formed the backdrop: the hope for a Davidic king was politically charged, yet Luke presents a quiet, non-political fulfillment through a virgin in Nazareth.
Textual Notes
The Greek text is well-established. The most notable variant is in verse 28: a few significant manuscripts omit “blessed are you among women” (εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν), but the reading is strongly supported and almost certainly original. In verse 35, some witnesses read “the holy thing which will be born” without “of you,” but the variant does not affect meaning. No other variants of interpretive weight appear in the supplied sources or in standard critical editions.
Reception History
The annunciation has been central to Christian devotion across traditions. In the early church, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus contrasted Mary’s obedience with Eve’s disobedience, a theme that persisted. The text became the basis for the Hail Mary prayer (from the angel’s greeting and Elizabeth’s words in 1:42). Medieval art often depicted Gabriel’s visit in a domestic setting, emphasizing Mary’s humility. Reformation interpreters such as John Calvin focused on the grace given to Mary as God’s initiative, warning against exalting her beyond Scripture. Today, Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike honor Mary as the Theotokos (God-bearer) and as a model of faith, though they differ on the extent of her ongoing intercession. The Annunciation is celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God chooses the unlikely. Nazareth, a virgin, a humble home, God’s greatest work begins in obscurity, reminding us that grace, not status, qualifies us (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
- God fulfills his promises. The angel’s words echo Isaiah 7:14, 2 Samuel 7, and Daniel 2:44. Jesus is the promised Son of David whose kingdom never ends.
- God invites a faithful response. Mary’s question seeks understanding, not proof. Her “let it be” (v.38) models trust in God’s power when circumstances seem impossible.
Five-point outline
- The setting: an overlooked town and a betrothed virgin.
- The greeting: “You are highly favored”, grace given, not earned.
- The promise: a son who will be great, Davidic, and eternal.
- The question: “How can this be?”, a humble request for explanation.
- The answer: the Holy Spirit’s overshadowing, the sign of Elizabeth, and the certainty of God’s word.
Illustration hooks
- A small-town student receives a full scholarship to a prestigious university, no one expected it, but the selection was based on potential, not pedigree.
- A young woman in a developing nation is chosen to lead a major community project; her humility becomes her strength.
- A business passes over experienced candidates and hires an intern for a key role; the outsider brings fresh vision.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If God could choose such an obscure place for the incarnation, does he care about my ordinary life?
- Mary was “troubled” by the angel’s greeting, is it okay to feel unsettled when God interrupts my plans?
- How can I trust God’s promises when biology and logic say “impossible”?
Leading a Discussion
This passage announces the greatest event in history: God becoming flesh. As you study, notice the details, the place, the person, the promises, and reflect on how God still works through the small and surprising.
Discussion questions
- Read Luke 1:26-27. Why do you think Luke mentions Nazareth and the betrothal so specifically? What does that tell you about God’s ways?
- In verse 28, Gabriel calls Mary κεχαριτωμένη, “highly favored.” What does this word imply about Mary’s role? Does it describe her character or God’s action?
- Mary was “troubled” and “pondered” the greeting (v.29). How does her reaction compare to Zechariah’s in Luke 1:11-20? What might that teach us about different kinds of questions?
- The angel promises Jesus will be “great,” “Son of the Most High,” and given “the throne of his father David” (v.32-33). Which Old Testament passages does this call to mind? How does this shape your understanding of Jesus’ kingship?
- Mary asks, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (v.34). The angel explains the Holy Spirit’s role and points to Elizabeth. What does this sign add to Mary’s assurance?
- Verse 37: “For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” Where else in Scripture do we see this principle? How does it challenge the limits we place on God?
- If you were in Mary’s place, what would be your biggest struggle: the social scandal, the theological mystery, or the sheer magnitude of the task? How does this passage speak to that struggle?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 2:23 | and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene. |
| Luke 1:19 | The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. |
| Luke 2:4 | Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, |
| John 1:45 | Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” |
| John 1:46 | Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” |
| John 7:41 | Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? |
| Genesis 3:15 | I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” |
| Isaiah 7:14 | Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that the angel's announcement carefully distinguishes Christ's two natures. The holy thing born of Mary is the human nature, which receives the title Son of God, not the eternal divine nature itself. For this reason he explicitly rejects calling Mary "mother of God," calling that phrase blasphemy.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes the immense honor given to Mary, a poor virgin of Nazareth, in being chosen as the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. He also explains that the Holy Spirit directly created Jesus' human body to keep it pure and free from inherited sin, which is why Jesus is uniquely called the Son of God.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses the deliberate contrast between the public announcement of John's birth in the temple and the private, obscure promise of Christ to a humble virgin. God chose this hidden way to humble pride and test faith, concealing salvation's treasure from the wise and revealing it to the lowly.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes highlight that the angel greets Mary as "freely beloved," emphasizing God's unearned grace rather than her merit. Mary's troubled reaction stems from her humble confusion at such a salutation. The angel answers her practical question about virginity by pointing to the Holy Spirit's power and Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy, proving nothing is impossible with God.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that the angel Gabriel was sent to a poor virgin in despised Nazareth, showing the low state of David's house. He notes Mary's deep perplexity at a man greeting her, since Jewish custom forbade it. Her question was not doubt, but humble wonder at how this miraculous conception would occur.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the angel’s greeting to Mary—“highly favoured,” “the Lord is with thee”—uses language previously said of Noah, Gideon, and Jael. This gives no basis for adoring Mary, since it contains no prayer or worship directed to her. He reads the titles as pointing to Christ’s unique divine sonship and a spiritual kingdom.