26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth , 27 to a virgin [1]engaged to a man whose name was Joseph , of the [2]descendants of David ; and the virgin's name was [3]Mary . 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings , [4]favored one! The Lord [5]is with you." 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement , and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, " Do not be afraid , Mary ; for you have found favor with God . 31 "And behold , you will conceive in your womb and bear a son , and you shall name Him Jesus . 32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High ; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David ; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever , and His kingdom will have no end ." 34 Mary said to the angel , "How [6]can this be, since I [7]am a virgin e e ?" 35 The angel answered and said to her, " The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the [8]holy Child shall be called the Son of God . 36 "And behold , even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age ; and [9]she who was called barren is now in her sixth month . 37 "For [10] nothing e e will be impossible with God ." 38 And Mary said , "Behold , the [11]bondslave of the Lord ; may it be done to me according to your word ." And the angel departed from her.
39 Now [12]at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country , to a city of Judah , 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth . 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting , the baby leaped in her womb ; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit . 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said , "Blessed are you among women , and blessed is the fruit of your womb ! 43 "And [13]how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 "For behold , when the sound of your greeting reached my ears , the baby leaped in my womb for joy . 45 "And blessed is she who [14]believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her [15]by the Lord ." 46 And Mary said : " My soul [16] exalts the Lord , 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior . 48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His [17]bondslave ; For behold , from this time on all generations will count me blessed . 49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name . 50 " AND HIS MERCY IS [18]UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 51 " He has done [19]mighty deeds with His arm ; He has scattered those who were proud in the [20]thoughts of their heart . 52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones , And has exalted those who were humble . 53 " HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS ; And sent away the rich empty-handed . 54 "He has given help to Israel His servant , [21]In remembrance of His mercy , 55 As He spoke to our fathers , To Abraham and his [22]descendants forever ." 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months , and then returned to her home .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 1:26-56
Commentary on Luke 1:26-38
(Read Luke 1:26-38)
We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16. Christ's human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.
Commentary on Luke 1:39-56
(Read Luke 1:39-56)
It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, and that she could no otherwise rejoice in God than as interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.