Luke 1:28

KJV

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the angel {G32} came in {G1525} unto {G4314} her {G846}, and said {G2036}, Hail {G5463}, thou that art highly favoured {G5487}, the Lord {G2962} is with {G3326} thee {G4675}: blessed {G2127} art thou {G4771} among {G1722} women {G1135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Approaching her, the angel said, "Shalom, favored lady! ADONAI is with you!"

Berean Standard Bible

The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

American Standard Version

And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:28 records the pivotal moment of the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel greets Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, with profound declarations of divine favor and presence. This verse initiates the miraculous narrative of Jesus's conception and birth, highlighting God's sovereign choice of a humble individual for an extraordinary role in salvation history, setting the stage for the fulfillment of ancient prophecies through an unexpected means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the opening line of Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, following his earlier, similar announcement to Zechariah concerning John the Baptist in [Luke 1:11-20](/luke/1-11-20 "Gabriel's Annunciation to Zechariah"). Luke meticulously frames these two annunciations in parallel, emphasizing God's orchestrated plan for the coming of both the forerunner and the Messiah. Immediately preceding [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - The Annunciation to Mary"), verses [Luke 1:26-27](/luke/1-26-27 "Luke 1:26-27 - Gabriel Sent to Mary") establish Mary's identity as a virgin from Nazareth, betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. This sets up the dramatic contrast between her humble status and the monumental divine message she is about to receive, underscoring God's tendency to work through the seemingly insignificant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea and Galilee, under Roman occupation, were steeped in Jewish messianic expectation, albeit often focused on a political deliverer. Nazareth, Mary's hometown, was a small, obscure village in Galilee, far from the religious and political centers of Jerusalem. The concept of a virgin conceiving was utterly outside the realm of natural possibility and cultural understanding, making Gabriel's message revolutionary. Betrothal in Jewish culture was a legally binding agreement, almost equivalent to marriage, meaning Mary was legally bound to Joseph, but had not yet consummated the marriage. This context intensifies the social implications of her miraculous pregnancy, highlighting the immense faith and courage required of her.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke chapter 1](/luke/1 "Luke Chapter 1 - The Birth of John and Jesus Foretold") is rich with themes that converge in [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - The Annunciation to Mary"). **Divine Initiative and Sovereign Choice** is paramount, as God unilaterally chooses Mary, demonstrating that His plans are not contingent on human merit or status. The theme of **Grace and Favor** is central, particularly with the angel's greeting, underscoring that Mary's selection is a gift, not an achievement. Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **God's Presence (Immanuel)**, assuring Mary of divine companionship in her unprecedented calling. Finally, it subtly foreshadows the **Reversal of Fortunes**, where the humble are exalted and the powerful are brought low, a theme beautifully articulated in Mary's Magnificat in [Luke 1:46-55](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Song of Praise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** This term refers to a messenger, specifically a divine messenger. In this context, Gabriel is God's appointed herald, delivering a message of monumental significance. His appearance signifies that the message is not merely human counsel but a direct, authoritative communication from God, carrying divine weight and certainty.
* **highly favoured (Greek, _charitóō'_):** Derived from _charis_ (grace), this word means "to grace" or "to indue with special honor." The perfect passive participle used here, _kecharitōmenē_, indicates a state of grace that has been bestowed upon Mary by God, a completed action with continuing results. It emphasizes that Mary is not merely favored, but has been made an object of God's special, unmerited grace and honor, distinguishing her as uniquely chosen for a divine purpose.
* **blessed (Greek, _eulogéō'_):** This word means "to speak well of," "to praise," or "to invoke a benediction upon." When applied to Mary, it signifies that she is divinely praised and uniquely set apart for God's purposes. The passive voice indicates that this blessing is conferred upon her by God, not achieved by her own merit, highlighting her unique position as the recipient of God's favor among all women.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel came in unto her":** This phrase establishes the direct, personal nature of the divine encounter. The angel Gabriel's entrance signifies an invasion of the divine into the ordinary, a direct communication from heaven to earth. The setting is intimate, suggesting a private, profound revelation to Mary.
* **"and said, Hail,":** Gabriel's opening salutation, "Hail" (Greek: _chaire_), was a common greeting, meaning "rejoice" or "be glad." However, in this divine context, it carries a deeper significance, inviting Mary to rejoice in the extraordinary news about to be revealed, setting a tone of profound joy and divine announcement rather than a casual encounter.
* **"[thou that art] highly favoured,":** This is the core of Gabriel's greeting, identifying Mary as the unique recipient of God's extraordinary grace. The Greek term _kecharitōmenē_ emphasizes that Mary has been, and continues to be, divinely graced and honored. This favor is not earned but freely given by God, marking her as uniquely chosen for a special divine purpose.
* **"the Lord [is] with thee:":** This declaration assures Mary of God's active presence and support. It is a promise of divine companionship and empowerment for the daunting task ahead. This echoes similar assurances given to biblical figures called to significant roles (e.g., Moses, Joshua), providing comfort and strength in the face of the impossible.
* **"blessed [art] thou among women.":** This final clause underscores Mary's unparalleled position in salvation history. She is not merely blessed, but uniquely so, set apart from all other women due to her singular role as the mother of the Messiah. This blessing is a divine pronouncement of her unique honor and significance in God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account in [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - The Annunciation to Mary") employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is present in the contrast between Mary's humble status as a virgin from Nazareth and the monumental divine favor bestowed upon her, subverting human expectations of where God's chosen ones might come from. The angel's greeting itself functions as a form of **Divine Address**, where a heavenly being directly communicates God's will, imbuing the words with absolute authority and significance. The phrase "highly favoured" serves as a profound example of **Hyperbole** in its theological sense, emphasizing the extraordinary, unparalleled nature of God's grace towards Mary, setting her apart in a unique category. Furthermore, the entire scene is rich with **Symbolism**, with the angel representing God's direct intervention, and Mary representing humanity's receptivity to divine grace, foreshadowing the Incarnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:28 profoundly reveals God's character as one who initiates salvation, bestows unmerited favor, and chooses the humble to accomplish His grand purposes. Mary's "highly favoured" status is a testament to God's sovereign grace, not her own merit, underscoring that divine callings are gifts, not achievements. This verse sets the stage for the Incarnation, demonstrating God's intimate involvement in human history and His commitment to fulfilling His promises through unexpected means. The assurance "the Lord is with thee" resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers of God's constant presence and empowering support for those He calls, even in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

* [Genesis 39:2-3](/genesis/39-2-3 "Genesis 39:2-3 - The Lord Was With Joseph") - Joseph's prosperity in Egypt is attributed to the Lord being with him.
* [Judges 6:12](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12 - The Lord Was With Gideon") - The angel of the Lord greets Gideon with "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."
* [Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - To the Praise of His Glorious Grace") - Believers are "accepted in the beloved," reflecting God's grace and favor bestowed upon them in Christ.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:28 invites believers to consider the profound nature of God's grace and His unconventional methods. Mary, a young, obscure virgin, was chosen not because of any inherent greatness, but solely by God's sovereign favor. This challenges our human tendencies to seek status or merit, reminding us that God often selects the humble and overlooked to accomplish His most significant works. Her initial perplexity, recorded in [Luke 1:29](/luke/1-29 "Luke 1:29 - Mary's Perplexity"), humanizes her and makes her subsequent obedience in [Luke 1:38](/luke/1-38 "Luke 1:38 - Mary's Submission") even more remarkable. For us, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's favor is a gift to be received, not earned, and His promise of presence is a powerful assurance for every divine calling. It encourages us to embrace God's will with faith and humble submission, trusting that His grace is sufficient for every task He sets before us, no matter how daunting it may seem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Mary's "highly favoured" status challenge our assumptions about who God chooses for His purposes?**
* **In what ways does the assurance "the Lord is with thee" provide comfort and strength in your own life and callings?**
* **What might it look like to embrace God's unmerited favor and respond with humble obedience, as Mary did?**

### FAQ
**Was Mary chosen because she was uniquely righteous or sinless?**

Answer: The text of [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - The Annunciation to Mary") emphasizes that Mary was "highly favoured" (Greek: _kecharitōmenē_), indicating that she was the *recipient* of God's grace, not the *earner* of it. While Mary was undoubtedly a devout and righteous woman, the biblical emphasis is on God's sovereign choice and unmerited favor bestowed upon her, rather than any inherent sinlessness or superior merit on her part. Her selection highlights God's grace working through a humble individual, consistent with themes found throughout Scripture where God chooses the unexpected, as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:28, while focusing on Mary, ultimately points to the greater truth of God's redemptive plan centered on Jesus Christ. Mary is "highly favoured" because she is chosen to bear the one through whom all humanity can receive ultimate favor and grace. The angel's declaration, "the Lord is with thee," foreshadows the very name of Jesus, [Immanuel, meaning 'God with us'](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us"), signifying God's ultimate dwelling among humanity in the person of Christ. Mary's unique blessing among women is tied directly to her role as the mother of the Messiah, the one who would bring blessing to all nations, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant"). Through Christ, the favor Mary experienced is extended to all who believe, as we are "accepted in the beloved" ([Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted in the Beloved")) and receive "grace for grace" ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace for Grace")). Thus, Mary's favor is not an end in itself, but a divinely orchestrated means to bring forth the ultimate source of all grace and blessing for the world, Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's presence and favor.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 10:19

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace [be] unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Judges 6:12

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD [is] with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Luke 1:30

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Daniel 9:21

Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Daniel 9:23

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Acts 18:10

For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.