Luke 1:28
The angel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
The angel appeared to her
This phrase introduces the divine messenger, an angel, who is sent by God to deliver a message to Mary. The Greek word for "angel" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), meaning "messenger." In the biblical context, angels are often depicted as God's emissaries, bringing messages of great importance. The appearance of an angel signifies a moment of divine intervention and revelation, highlighting the significance of the message to follow. Historically, angelic appearances in the Bible often precede pivotal events in God's redemptive plan, underscoring the gravity of this encounter.

and said, 'Greetings
The word "Greetings" is translated from the Greek word "χαῖρε" (chaire), which can also mean "rejoice" or "be glad." This salutation is not merely a casual greeting but carries a sense of joy and divine favor. It sets the tone for the message that follows, indicating that what is about to be revealed is a cause for celebration and joy. In the cultural context of the time, such a greeting from an angel would have been both startling and profoundly significant, suggesting that Mary is about to receive news of great importance.

you who are highly favored!
The phrase "highly favored" comes from the Greek word "κεχαριτωμένη" (kecharitōmenē), which means "endowed with grace" or "graced." This term indicates that Mary has been uniquely chosen and blessed by God. Theologically, this highlights the doctrine of grace, emphasizing that God's favor is not earned but given. Mary's selection as the mother of Jesus is an act of divine grace, underscoring her special role in salvation history. This phrase has been the subject of much theological reflection, particularly in discussions about Mary's role and status within the Christian tradition.

The Lord is with you
This declaration is a profound assurance of God's presence. The phrase "The Lord is with you" echoes similar assurances given to key figures in the Old Testament, such as Moses (Exodus 3:12) and Gideon (Judges 6:12), when they were called to significant tasks. It signifies divine support and empowerment for the mission ahead. In the context of Mary's life, this assurance would have been both comforting and empowering, as she was about to embark on a journey that would change the course of history. Theologically, it reminds believers of the constant presence and support of God in their lives, especially when called to fulfill His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Angel Gabriel
A messenger of God who is often associated with delivering important announcements. In this context, Gabriel is sent to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.

2. Mary
A young Jewish woman living in Nazareth, chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. Her response to Gabriel's message is one of humility and faith.

3. Nazareth
A small town in Galilee, significant as the place where Mary lived and where the angel Gabriel visited her.

4. The Annunciation
The event where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.
Teaching Points
Divine Favor
God's favor is not based on human merit but on His sovereign choice and grace. Mary was chosen by God for a unique purpose, reminding us that God’s plans often exceed our understanding.

Presence of God
The assurance "The Lord is with you" is a powerful reminder of God's presence in our lives. As believers, we are never alone, and His presence empowers us to fulfill His calling.

Response to God's Call
Mary's acceptance of God's plan with humility and faith serves as a model for how we should respond to God's calling in our own lives.

Role of Angels
Angels are messengers of God, and their interactions with humans in the Bible often signify important divine interventions. We should be open to the ways God communicates with us, whether through Scripture, prayer, or other means.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of being "highly favored" apply to believers today, and how can we live in a way that reflects God's favor?

2. In what ways can we be more aware of God's presence in our daily lives, as Mary was assured that "The Lord is with you"?

3. How can Mary's response to the angel's message inspire us to respond to God's calling in our own lives?

4. What are some other biblical examples of individuals who found favor with God, and what can we learn from their accounts?

5. How can we discern and respond to the messages God may be sending us, whether through Scripture, prayer, or other means?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 7:14
This prophecy speaks of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son, which is fulfilled in Mary as described in Luke 1:28.

Genesis 6:8
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, similar to how Mary is described as "highly favored," indicating a special grace and purpose.

Ephesians 1:6
This verse speaks of believers being accepted in the Beloved, paralleling the favor and grace bestowed upon Mary.
The Angel's GreetingJohannes Eckhart Luke 1:28
Absence of Self-ConsciousnessStopford A. Brooke, M. A.Luke 1:26-30
Angelic VisitationsH. W. Beecher.Luke 1:26-30
Blessed Among WomenJ. H. McIlvaine, D. D.Luke 1:26-30
Blessed of GodWallin.Luke 1:26-30
Calmness of MaryHarriet B. Stowe.Luke 1:26-30
Encouragement to the HumbleH. Melvill, B. D.Luke 1:26-30
God's Presence with His PeopleHenry R. Burton.Luke 1:26-30
Mary a Typical JewessHarriet B. Stowe.Luke 1:26-30
Mary the Flower of a Selected RaceHarriet B. Stowe.Luke 1:26-30
Mary to be Held in HonourHorace Bushnell, D. D.Luke 1:26-30
Mary, the Mother of JesusHorace Bushnell, D. D.Luke 1:26-30
Mary's Home-LifeE. T. Marshall, M. A.Luke 1:26-30
Mary's PietyHorace Bushnell, D. D.Luke 1:26-30
Mary's True Place in Christian EsteemE. T. Marshall, M. A.Luke 1:26-30
The AnnunciationW. Burkitt, M. A.Luke 1:26-30
The AnnunciationDr. Parker.Luke 1:26-30
The Blessed Among WomenVan Oosterzee.Luke 1:26-30
The Glory of MaryHarriet B. Stowe.Luke 1:26-30
The Mother of Jesus -- a Woman's Sermon to WornMarianne Farningham.Luke 1:26-30
Thou Hast Found FavourRudolf Stier.Luke 1:26-30
The Beginning of the Creation of GodR.M. Edgar Luke 1:26-38
People
Aaron, Abia, Abijah, David, Elias, Elijah, Elisabeth, Gabriel, Herod, Jacob, Jesus, John, Joseph, Mary, Theophilus, Zacharias, Zechariah
Places
Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Nazareth
Topics
Amongst, Angel, Blessed, Favored, Favoured, Gabriel, Grace, Greetings, Hail, Highly, Joy, Messenger, O, Peace, Rejoice, Special, Women
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 1:28

     5263   communication
     5408   messenger
     8369   worthiness

Luke 1:5-38

     5658   boys

Luke 1:24-31

     5720   mothers, examples

Luke 1:26-28

     4140   angel of the Lord
     5976   visiting

Luke 1:26-33

     5426   news
     5695   girls

Luke 1:26-38

     2515   Christ, birth of
     4112   angels, messengers
     4145   archangels
     5548   speech, divine
     6710   privileges

Luke 1:26-56

     5745   women

Luke 1:28-34

     5962   surprises

Library
July 19 Morning
He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.--LUKE 1:49. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?--Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.--Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy.--Hallowed be thy name. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. Who is this
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

August 3 Morning
His mercy is on them that fear Him.--LUKE 1:50. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. If ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.--The Lord
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 9 Morning
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.--LUKE 1:53. Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.--When
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 24 Morning
Abraham believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.--GEN. 15:6. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

True Greatness
He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.'--LUKE i. 15. So spake the angel who foretold the birth of John the Baptist. 'In the sight of the Lord'--then men are not on a dead level in His eyes. Though He is so high and we are so low, the country beneath Him that He looks down upon is not flattened to Him, as it is to us from an elevation, but there are greater and smaller men in His sight, too. No epithet is more misused and misapplied than that of 'a great man.' It is flung about indiscriminately
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Magnificat
'And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48. For He hath regarded the low estate of His hand-maiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name, 50. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. 51. He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52. He hath put down
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Elijah Come Again
'There was, in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now well stricken in years. 8. And it came to pass, that, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Zacharias's Hymn
'And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; 70. As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began; 71. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Dayspring from on High
'The day-spring from on high hath visited us, 79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.'--LUKE i. 78, 79. As the dawn is ushered in by the notes of birds, so the rising of the Sun of Righteousness was heralded by song, Mary and Zacharias brought their praises and welcome to the unborn Christ, the angels hovered with heavenly music over His cradle, and Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed it. The human members of this
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Fourteenth Day. The Holy one of God.
Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.'--Luke i. 35. 'We have believed and know that Thou art the Holy One of God.'--John vi. 69. 'The holy one of the Lord'--only once (Ps. cvi. 16) the expression is found in the Old Testament. It is spoken of Aaron, in whom holiness, as far as it could then be revealed, had found its most complete embodiment. The title waited for its fulfilment in Him who alone, in His own person, could perfectly show forth
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Angel's Greeting
THE ANGEL'S GREETING St Luke i. 28.--"Hail, thou that art highly favoured among women, the Lord is with thee." Here there are three things to understand: the first, the modesty of the angel; the second, that he thought himself unworthy to accost the Mother of God; the third, that he not only addressed her, but the great multitude of souls who long after God. I affirm that had the Virgin not first borne God spiritually He would never have been born from her in bodily fashion. A certain woman said
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

Jesus Born the Son of God.
(Christmas Sermon.) "Glory to God in" the Highest, on earth peace; goodwill towards men. Amen." TEXT: LUKE i. 31, 32. "Behold, . . . thou shalt bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High." THESE were the words of promise spoken by the angel to Mary, that Ho whom she should bear should be called the Son of the Highest; and as this promise is after wards brought into direct connection with the statement that the power of the Highest
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet
But now, having introduced to you her magnificat, we will dwell upon these words, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," and I do earnestly hope that many of us can adopt the language without being guilty of falsehood: we can as truly say as Mary did, "My soul doth magnify the Lord." If there are any of you present to-night who cannot say it, get to your chambers, fall upon your knees, and cry to the Lord to help you to do so; for as long as a man cannot magnify God he is not fit for heaven, where the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

"The Tender Mercy of Our God"
"His heart is made of tenderness, His bowels melt with love." The main point of this morning's sermon will be to bring out into prominence those few words, "the tender mercy of our God." To me they gleam with kindly light: I see in them a soft radiance, as of those matchless pearls whereof the gates of heaven are made. There is an exceeding melody to my ear as well as to my heart in that word "tender." "Mercy" is music, and "tender mercy" is the most exquisite form of it, especially to a broken heart.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

A Harp of Ten Strings
IT IS VERY CLEAR that Mary was not beginning a new thing; for she speaks in the present tense, and in a tense which seems to have been for a long time present: "My soul doth magnify the Lord." Ever since she had received the wonderful tidings of the choice which God had made of her for her high position, she had begun to magnify the Lord; and when once a soul has a deep sense of God's mercy, and begins magnifying him, there is no end to it. This grows by what it feeds upon: the more you magnify God,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Judgment Upon Zacharias
UNBELIEF is everywhere a great sin, and a grievous mistake. Unbelief has proved the ruin of those countless multitudes who, having heard the gospel, rejected it, died in their sins, have been consigned to the place of torment, and await the fiercer judgment of the last day. I might ask the question concerning this innumerable host, "Who slew all these?" The answer would be, "Unbelief." And when unbelief comes into the Christian's heart, as it does at times--for the truest believer has his times of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ
The Voice of the Disciple With the deepest devotion and fervent love, with all affection and fervour of heart, I long to receive Thee, O Lord, even as many Saints and devout persons have desired Thee in communicating, who were altogether well pleasing to Thee by their sanctity of life, and dwelt in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal Love, my whole Good, Happiness without measure, I long to receive Thee with the most vehement desire and becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or could have.
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Prayer and Consecration
"Eudamidas, a citizen of Corinth, died in poverty; but having two wealthy friends, Arctæus and Carixenus, left the following testament: In virtue of my last will, I bequeath to Arctæus my mother and to Carixenus my daughter to be taken home to their houses and supported for the remainder of their lives. This testament occasioned much mirth and laughter. The two legatees were pleased and affectionately executed the will. If heathens trusted each other, why should not I cherish a far greater
Edward M. Bounds—The Essentials of Prayer

Luke's Preface and Dedication.
^C Luke I. 1-4. [1] ^c 1 Forasmuch as many [of whom we know nothing and have even no tradition] have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled [completed, or accomplished according to the divine will] among us, 2 even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses [the apostles were necessarily such and there were some few others--Acts i. 21-23] and ministers of the word [the apostles were ministers, and not ecclesiastical
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Mary, Future Mother of Jesus, visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of John the Baptist.
(in the Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 39-56. ^c 39 And Mary arose in these days [within a week or two after the angel appeared to her] and went into the hill country [the district of Judah lying south of Jerusalem, of which the city of Hebron was the center] with haste [she fled to those whom God had inspired, so that they could understand her condition and know her innocence--to those who were as Joseph needed to be inspired, that he might understand--Matt. i. 18-25], into a city
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
(Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 57-80. ^c 57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] ; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day [See Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Phil. iii. 5. Male children were named at their circumcision, probably
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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