Luke 1:26

¶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

And {G1161} in {G1722} the sixth {G1623} month {G3376} the angel {G32} Gabriel {G1043} was sent {G649} from {G5259} God {G2316} unto {G1519} a city {G4172} of Galilee {G1056}, named {G3739}{G3686} Nazareth {G3478},

In the sixth month, the angel Gavri'el was sent by God to a city in the Galil called Natzeret,

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Luke 1:26 marks the pivotal moment when God initiates the announcement of Jesus Christ's birth, setting the stage for the New Testament narrative. It introduces the divine messenger and the humble, yet significant, location for this world-changing event.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of the conception of John the Baptist. The phrase "in the sixth month" refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, as described in Luke 1:24. This precise timeline connects the two miraculous conceptions and highlights God's orchestrated plan for both John, the forerunner, and Jesus, the Messiah.

The angel Gabriel, a prominent divine messenger, had previously appeared to Zacharias to announce John's birth (Luke 1:19) and even earlier to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 9:21). His appearance signifies a message of utmost importance directly from God.

The destination, "Nazareth," was a small, obscure village in the region of Galilee. Galilee itself was often viewed with disdain by those in Judea, as seen in Nathanael's question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). God's choice of such a humble, overlooked place underscores a recurring theme in Scripture: God often chooses the lowly and despised to accomplish His greatest purposes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Initiative: The phrase "sent from God" emphasizes that the entire plan of salvation originates with God. He is the active agent, sending His messenger to deliver His specific will.
  • God's Chosen Timing: The specific mention of "the sixth month" and the sequence of events (John's conception preceding Jesus') reveal God's perfect timing and meticulous orchestration of redemptive history.
  • Humility and Obscurity: God chose Nazareth, a seemingly insignificant town, as the setting for the announcement of the Messiah's birth. This highlights God's preference for the humble and His ability to work powerfully through unexpected people and places, a theme echoed throughout the Bible.
  • The Role of Angels: Gabriel's mission demonstrates the role of angels as messengers and servants of God, carrying out His divine decrees and revealing His plans to humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The name Gabriel (Hebrew: גַּבְרִיאֵל, Gavri'el) literally means "God is my strength" or "man of God." This meaning aptly describes his powerful role as a divine messenger, particularly in delivering news of immense significance, as he does here and in other biblical accounts.

The name Nazareth (Greek: Ναζαρέθ, Nazareth) is of uncertain etymology, but it became synonymous with the humble beginnings of Jesus. The prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23) is understood by some to refer to the idea of a "branch" or "shoot" (Hebrew: נֵצֶר, netzer), a messianic prophecy found in Isaiah 11:1, linking His humble origin to His divine destiny.

Practical Application

Luke 1:26 reminds us that God's plans are often initiated in ways and places we might consider ordinary or even overlooked. It encourages believers to look for God's hand in the seemingly mundane and to recognize that He can use anyone, from any background, to fulfill His purposes. It also reaffirms the divine origin and orchestration of the Christmas story, emphasizing that Jesus' birth was not an accident but a precisely planned event in God's redemptive timeline for humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 2:23

    And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  • Luke 1:19

    And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

  • John 7:41

    Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

  • Luke 2:4

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • John 1:46

    And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

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