Luke 1:29

29 But Mary was very startled by what the angel said and wondered what this greeting might mean.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Luke 1:29 In-Context

27 to a virgin. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you."

29 But Mary was very startled by what the angel said and wondered what this greeting might mean.

30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace.

31 Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.