Luke 1:29

29 She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant.

Luke 1:29 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:29

And when she saw him
The Persic version renders it, "when Mary saw the angel"; which expresses the true sense of the words, The Vulgate Latin reads, "when she heard"; i.e. the salutation:

she was troubled at his saying;
at his speaking to her; she was surprised at the sight of him, and more at what he said to her;

and cast in her mind,
or thought and reasoned within herself,

what manner of salutation this should be;
for it was not usual with the Jews for a man to use any salutation to a woman; with them it was not lawful to be done in any shape or form; not by a messenger, nor even by her own husband F21; so that Mary might well be thrown into a concern what should be the meaning of this; and especially, that she should be addressed in such language, and saluted as a peculiar favourite of God, and blessed among women.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 70. 1, 2. Maimon. Hilch. Issure Biah, c. 21.

Luke 1:29 In-Context

27 to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary.
28 So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! the Lord is with you."
29 She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant.
30 But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS.
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