ETB Luke 1:26-38

Session 4: 12/22/2024 Delivered from Sin

The Quarterly starts off with references to military personnel surprising family members. Did any of you get to do something like that?

Ask: Have you ever been surprised by someone who showed up unexpectedly? What was that moment like? (p. 37)

Understand the Context

In both the Old and New Testaments, God reveals only one plan for salvation: Jesus the Messiah. He is the woman’s “offspring” in Genesis 3:15 and Abraham’s descendant through whom God would bless all nations (Gen. 12:3; 22:17-18). He was “foreknown before the foundation of the world” and He was “manifest in the last times” (1 Pet. 1:20). The primary story of Scripture is God using Israel to prepare the world for the Messiah.

Luke’s first chapters are about the divine redemptive plan, but they also demonstrate God’s loving mercy toward two couples. The first couple toward the end of their lives together and the second younger one has not yet been fully married. God used these ordinary couples to introduce the Messiah to the world. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

Explore the Text

Luke 1:26–30 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Gabriel

Gabriel is the same angel that came to Zechariah in the temple earlier in the chapter. We first read of this angel that came to speak with Mary way back in the book of Daniel.

Daniel 9:21 “21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.”

Daniel was also considered “favored” by God.

Daniel 9:23 “23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.”

And what was Gabriel’s message to Daniel about?

Daniel 9:25 “25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.”

What was Gabriel’s message to Zechariah about?

Luke 1:17 “17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.””

Every time Gabriel speaks to someone, he’s talking about Jesus. That’s a great example for us to follow.

When you make an introduction between people, what do you normally put first; their career, the characteristics you like about them, or their name?

The Moody Bible Commentary 1. Time, Agent, Location, and Recipient of the Announcement (1:26–27)

The order of the information given about Mary is peculiar. Typically her name would be given first, then her associations, then the more personal details. However, Luke identified her first as a virgin (mentioned twice; the Gk. term parthenos is unambiguous, meaning that she had never had sexual relations) who was engaged (better “betrothed”) to a man named Joseph. Luke, unlike Matthew (Mt 1:22–23), does not refer to the prophecy of Is 7:14, but the point is unmistakable—the impending birth was something only God could accomplish and it would be in fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

Greetings, O favored one

Many of you have probably heard or even sung the song “Ave, Maria” this greeting from Gabriel is the source of that title.

Luke & Acts Notes

The Vulgate, the ancient translation of the Scriptures into Latin, rendered the angel’s words of address to Mary as Ave, Maria, meaning “Hail, Mary.”

The Catholics also have many rituals centered around this phrase, some of which are not doctrinally sound.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 1

The Greek word translated “highly favored” is charitoo, and means “highly blessed” or “much graced.” It is used only one other time in the Bible, not concerning Mary, but concerning you (Ephesians 1:6). We are highly favored not because of who we are, but because of where we are. Where are we? We are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Favor of men is much different than the favor of God. One leads us into sinful habits, the other to a stronger faith.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised Favor; Favorable; Favorably; Favorite

Thus favor is ultimately a divine quality, given to human beings as long as they live (Ps. 84:11 [MT 12]); by it people are firmly established (Ps. 30:5, 7 [MT 6, 8]). God grants His favor to help a person endure difficult circumstances (Gen. 39:21), It protects the righteous like a shield (Ps. 5:12 [MT 13]). Whoever has the favor of the Lord has great power in prayer. Moses had the favor of the Lord so he was able to intercede for the people (Ex. 32:7–14; 33:12–23). Finally, when God acts openly and dramatically for the salvation of humanity, the time is called “a time of favor” (Isa. 49:8; cf. 61:2).

God can also cause an enemy to be favorably disposed to His people, as the citizens of Egypt were to the Israelites to the extent that they provided them with all kinds of gifts at the time of the Exodus (Ex. 3:21f.; 11:2f.).

You could translate the phrase as “Grace to you graced one.” The phrasing lets us know that Mary was receiving the grace of God.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary 2. The Annunciation to Mary (1:26–38)

This portrays Mary as a recipient, not a dispenser, of divine grace.

God saw the character, present and future, of this young woman and acted accordingly.

Proverbs 31:30 “30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

God had already established Himself in earlier in her life somehow that lead to the faith that she displays in the rest of the chapter.

Although Mary had faith it was only as strong as a typical teenager’s for now.

she was greatly troubled at the saying

One of the commentaries I read noted that when Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, it was his sudden appearance that startled the man, but for Mary it was what the angel “said” that was troubling.

Did she know the ramifications of being “favored” even at that age?

I could not find any copies of the Evangelist Brent Carr’s messages, but I did find several people giving him credit for the following.

Mary was "highly favored" but she was almost put away by the man she loved the most.

"Highly favored" but she was rejected by every person in Bethlehem.

"Highly Favored" but she laid on the dirt floor of a barn and gave birth to a baby she carried nine months.

"Highly Favored" but in the middle of the night had to leave all she knew and move to a strange town because God said so.

“Highly Favored” but everywhere she turned someone wanted to take the life of what she was chosen to watch over.

Favor never looks like favor at first. Favor sometimes takes you through frustration, failure, and fear. You want to be favored of God? It may be in the darkest night or deepest valley-But there in that place where no one sees you and you feel like no one understands, whisper to yourself, "this is only the beginning not the end. This will turn out for my good and His glory. This is because...I'm Favored."

I think Mary knew enough of the Old Testament to realize there were some tumultuous experiences associated with being “favored” by God. We can tell she understood some of it from the next phrase.

tried to discern

My favorite translation of this phrase “tried to discern” is “to debate internally.” I think everyone has done that and it paints a vivid, relatable description of how Mary was trying to understand what Gabriel was telling her.

Do not be afraid

Apparently, some of the “internal debating” was beginning to cause her to fear the ramifications of the greeting. Angels are divinely sent and inspired to speak so they would not say “Do not be afraid” if the person was not.

Gabriel responded to Mary’s distress with an encouragement: Do not be afraid. He also repeated that Mary had found favor in God’s eyes. The angel’s words were a reminder that this grace was the work of God based on His character, not a reward for Mary’s good works. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The messenger tries to comfort further by then explaining “how” she is favored by God.

Luke 1:31–33 ESV

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Usually today, young mothers go to the doctor or take a home test to validate what they already feel is happening within their bodies. For Mary, however, she was given the news before conception and these changes began. There was also no need for a gender reveal party or discussing possible names, all had already been decided and provided. But the list of things about the baby did not stop there.

He will be great

Whereas John the Baptist was described as great “before the Lord” (Luke 1:15), Jesus’s greatness is stated absolutely. The Old Testament speaks only of God as possessing unparalleled greatness (see Pss. 145:3; 147:5). So, this statement affirms Jesus’s deity. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Son of the Most High

The Greek word for Most High (hupsistos) is related to the Hebrew ‘Elyon. Altogether, it occurs fifty-four times in the Bible, including seven in Luke-Acts. It emphasizes God’s uniqueness and superiority to all powers.

Son of the Most High was a royal title (Ps. 2:6-9) and is equivalent to “Son of God” (Luke 1:35). In Scripture, “son of God” was applied to Adam (3:38), Israel (Ex. 4:22-23; Hos. 11:1), and David (Ps. 89:26-27); but these only foreshadowed the One who came to save people from their sins (Matt. 1:21; Heb. 1:1-4). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The MacArthur Bible Commentary 2. The Annunciation to Mary (1:26–38)

Since a son bears his father’s qualities, calling a person someone else’s “son” was a way of signifying equality. Here the angel was telling Mary that her Son would be equal to the Most High God.

Throne of his father David

In 2 Samuel 7, God promised David that his kingdom would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16). Scholars recognize a close association between God’s throne and David’s throne. Some even consider them synonymous. David’s throne would be occupied by his son, Solomon, followed by a string of kings, including many who disgraced it. Of course, foreign powers such as Babylon and Rome brought an end to David’s throne in the physical sense; but in Jesus, it had no end (Luke 1:33). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

This eternal kingdom is also a fulfillment of the message Gabriel had given Daniel. Gabriel got to be there at the first message and now to announce the fulfillment of it.

Many times, when we are confronted with such overwhelming and unbelievable news, it causes us to ask more questions. It was no different for Mary.

Luke 1:34–38 ESV

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

How will this be

The Moody Bible Commentary 4. Mary’s Reaction, Angel’s Explanation, Mary’s Submission (1:34–38)

While the angel had been relating the transcendent significance of this child, Mary had been stuck on the first point—the matter of her pregnancy!

One of the reason’s she may have asked this question of practicality could have been that she knew God would not cause her to violate her vows. Legally she was already married to Joseph so to be “with a man” before they consummated would be grounds for divorce. She was devout enough to know that God would not suggest such, and the thought of a “divinely creative act” would not have been considered, hence the question “How?”

Holy Spirit will come upon

Notice how all three persons of the Trinity are involved in the conception of the incarnation. God the Father favors or graces the one Jewish girl to be the mother. The Holy Spirit creates within the mother that which is needed for gestation. God the Son grows within her for the next 9 months.

Exalting Jesus in Luke Gabriel’s Explanation (1:35–37)

“Come upon” brings to mind Genesis 1:2, where the Holy Spirit was “hovering over” the face of the deep in creation. It’s what Jesus is quoted as saying in Hebrews 10:5: “as he was coming into the world, he said: ‘You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me.’ ”

The Greek word for overshadow (episkiazo) means to block the light and so “cast a shadow” on something (Acts 5:15). In the Greek Old Testament, the word was used for God’s glory filling the tabernacle (Ex. 40:35). Mary was going to be enveloped in God’s glorious presence like the tabernacle had been. In the Gospels, the word is used to describe Jesus’s transfiguration (Luke 9:34). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Not as proof, but as an encouragement for Mary in a new unprecedented role, Gabriel lets her know of another recent miraculous pregnancy.

your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived

Some English translations have that Elizabeth was a “cousin” or “aunt” of Mary, but the Greek word used is not that specific and describes only a very generic family relation.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary 2. The Annunciation to Mary (1:26–38)

Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron (see note on v. 5). Therefore, Mary must have been related to Elizabeth through her mother, who would have been of Aaronic descent. Thus, Mary was a descendant of David through her father.

I wonder how many other young ladies were alive at that time that were descendant of both the priestly line and the kingly line and betrothed to another of kingly lineage. Another bit of God’s sovereignty on display.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 1

Elisabeth was six months ahead of Mary in the process of the miraculous. So, too, some of you are six months ahead of me. I can see what the Lord has done in your life. I can see how He’s touched you, used you, and helped you. That encourages me. That’s what the body of Christ is all about. Find someone who’s a little bit ahead of you in the area about which you’re wondering or with which you’re struggling, and hang out with him

For us in this class, we may be the one to help out another younger man through their struggles. Be available to God’s leading when He reveals to you a brother to whom you can minister with godly wisdom and faith experiences.

Gabriel’s final assurance to Mary was a simple doctrinal statement.

For nothing will be impossible with God.

NIV, NLT, and other English translations have something like, “For no word from God will ever fail.” Both renderings are doctrinally sound.

Which one would be more encouraging to you when faced with an impossible situation?

I read a statement in one the commentaries that really solidified the impact of that verse.

Exalting Jesus in Luke Gabriel’s Explanation (1:35–37)

The moment you admit the existence of God, you must deny the impossible.

Mary’s faith and her acceptance of God’s favor upon her comes through in her final statement to Gabriel.

Let it be to me

Of the seventeen times this Greek wording appears in the New Testament, it almost always comes with a negative that contradicts whatever is suggested. For example, this is Paul’s adamant way of denouncing an absurd idea: “By no means!” (Rom. 3:4,6,31). Literally it can convey the idea, “May it not be/happen!”

But Mary used it without the negative, as if to welcome the absurd, unthinkable, and impossible. She set aside whatever anxious thoughts she might have had and placed herself completely in the hands of our good and powerful Father. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Apply the Text

Life Application Bible Notes Profile: Zechariah

God’s announcement of the birth of a special child was met with various responses throughout Scripture. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, laughed (Genesis 18:9–15). Zechariah doubted (Luke 1:18). By contrast, Mary graciously submitted. She believed the angel’s words and agreed to bear the child, even under humanly impossible circumstances. God is able to do the impossible. Our response to his demands should not be laughter or doubt but willing acceptance.

Pray:

Thank You God that nothing is impossible with You. Give us the strength and courage to surrender to Your plans and purposes—despite the price we may have to pay. Help us to follow Gabriel’s example to speak of Jesus to everyone we encounter and Mary’s example of complete surrender to Your ways.