Luke 1:29

And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And {G1161} when she saw {G1492} him, she was troubled {G1298} at {G1909} his {G846} saying {G3056}, and {G2532} cast in her mind {G1260} what manner {G4217} of salutation {G783} this {G3778} should be {G1498}.

She was deeply troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.

Commentary

Luke 1:29 describes Mary’s immediate reaction to the angel Gabriel’s extraordinary greeting. After the angel appeared to her, pronouncing her "highly favoured" and "blessed among women," Mary was not immediately joyful or proud, but deeply perplexed and troubled by the nature of such a profound salutation.

Context

This verse follows directly after the angel Gabriel’s initial address to Mary, found in Luke 1:28. Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, was living a humble life in Nazareth. The appearance of a heavenly messenger like Gabriel, followed by such an unparalleled pronouncement, was completely unexpected and overwhelming. Her reaction here sets the stage for the miraculous announcement that follows regarding the birth of Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Humility and Modesty: Mary's initial reaction is not one of pride or immediate acceptance, but of disturbance and careful thought. This highlights her humble character, a trait often associated with those chosen for divine service.
  • Perplexity and Deliberation: Her being "troubled" and "casting in her mind" shows a deep internal processing. She wasn't merely confused but was actively trying to understand the implications of such a unique greeting, especially from a heavenly being. This teaches the importance of pondering divine messages.
  • The Awe of Divine Encounter: Mary’s reaction underscores the profound and often unsettling nature of a direct encounter with the divine. It is an experience that challenges human understanding and expectations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "she was troubled" translates the Greek word dietarachthe (διετεταράχθη), which conveys a strong sense of being deeply disturbed, agitated, or thrown into confusion, more than just mild surprise. It suggests an inward turmoil. Similarly, "cast in her mind" comes from the Greek dialogizeto (διελογίζετο), meaning to ponder, deliberate, or reason within oneself. This indicates a thoughtful, investigative process rather than a fleeting thought, as she sought to understand the significance of the angel's words and why she was singled out in such a way.

Practical Application

Mary's response offers a valuable lesson in how to react to unexpected blessings or challenging divine callings. Instead of rushing to judgment or immediate acceptance, she paused, reflected, and sought to understand. This verse encourages believers to approach God's word and His leadings with a spirit of humility, discernment, and careful contemplation, much like Mary’s thoughtful pondering before her faithful declaration in Luke 1:38, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 10:17

    Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

  • Luke 1:12

    And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

  • Acts 10:4

    And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

  • Mark 6:49

    But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

  • Mark 6:50

    For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

  • Luke 2:19

    But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

  • 1 Samuel 9:20

    And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom [is] all the desire of Israel? [Is it] not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
← Back