Luke 1:29

29 Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be.

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 He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel greeted her and said, "The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you."
29 Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you.
31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus.
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