One of the most distinguishing features of this city was its wickedness. This fact is emphasized by Nathanael who, when told by Philip about “Jesus of Nazareth” (John 1:45), said in scorn of Nazareth producing any worthy person, “Can there any good come thing out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). The fact that Mary was a “virgin” (Luke 1:27) says you can still live a holy life even though you live in a wicked society. Great saints have lived godly amidst great sin.
Here we are introduced to the human mother of Jesus Christ. So much error, thanks to the church of Rome, is attached to her. But the study of Scripture will reveal the truth about her. Being a virgin in Nazareth was especially a mark of character. So few women today have high character morally. Further, in verse 27 we see her commitment. She was espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. This was espousal commitment in that culture was so strong that to separate after it was in place involved an actual divorce. And therefore we have called her spouse in this point.
We also see the clan to which she belonged. She was of the house of David. It is interesting that both Joseph and Mary couldn't trace their line back today but I've seen in the genealogies of Christ that are giving them both and Luke and Matthew.
We also see what for lack of a better word we could call her appellation. Her name was Mary. His name is a derivative of the Hebrew name Miriam. Of course that was the name of Moses' sister. It was in fact a very common name in Israel, in fact it appears from other Scriptures that this particular Mary had a sister who was also named Mary. Just as an interesting little side note, the various Marys mentioned in the Scripture are all godly women.
Moving on to verse 28 Gabriel enters and gives Mary a greeting that is very instructive. He says to her first, Hail! This word is used as a greeting and means literally "Joy to you".
He calls her "highly favored". The term implies both the common idea of grace and the action of God in bestowing that favor. It certainly is a wonderful "shorthand" manner of referring to the tremendous favor bestowed upon Mary by God in using her as the vessel for which He would bring Israel's Messiah. It also demonstrates for us to the nature of how God selects those whom He favors. Mary was not favored because of her deservedness. She was favored because, and only because God chose her. Such is God's grace in all of its manifestations.
We should note, however, that Mary was not simply "favored". She was "highly favored". Mary was not simply a believer, favored in that God had redeemed her. God was about to do a work in her that He had not, and would not do in any other. He was about to bring forth His only begotten Son by means of Mary.
This is further demonstrated by the phrase "the Lord is with thee". What a tremendous gain this is for Mary! What a tremendous gain this is for any believer! You and I have the same gain, as we are indwelt by God's Holy Spirit. The Lord is with us as well!
As would anyone be, verse 29 tells us that Mary "was troubled by his saying". The meaning of the word here and involves alarm and even agitation. Mary was very stressed by this greeting from the angel Gabriel. Further she was perplexed by what Gabriel had said to her. Verse 29 goes on and says "...she cast in her mind what manner of greetings this should be". Now, we need to be very careful to remember that this is very different than Zachariah's response to the same kind of greeting by the same angel, Gabriel. On the surface, both of their responses seem to be very similar. They both seem to question what the angel says to them.
But when we look deeper, we see the critical difference of faith. Where Zachariah responded with unbelief Mary responds with faith. Her faith maybe a faith that is mystified, but it is faith nevertheless. She may not understand how God will do what He is saying He will do, but she believes He will do it nevertheless. Zechariah, on the other hand, does not believe that God would do what Gabriel was reporting that He would do.
In verse 30 thru 33 we get to the specifics of the announcement that Gabriel makes to Mary. The first thing that he tells her is that she need not fear. One can certainly understand why he would leave off with such a reassurance. It is perfectly understandable that Mary would be thoroughly frightened at this point. By the way, Gabriel had given the same command to Zacharias when he had appeared to him. Of course Mary has nothing to fear from this appearance of the angel as he's not appearing in judgment as most would reasonably think from the appearance of such a spectacular heavenly being.
He then repeats some of the greeting that he made telling Mary that she has found favor with God. He goes on in verse 31 to tell her that she would conceive a child in her womb. It is interesting that he does not leave in general, (as most so-called psychics do) but rather is very specific. He tells her she will conceive a Son. The gender of the child is plainly specified. I always been irritated by noon or gender Bibles. They're a farce, God is specific and very detailed and what He reveals.
Gabriel goes on in revealing specifics here in verse 31. Mary's was told the name of the child just as Joseph was told the name of the child is Matthew 1:21. The reason for this name is in the Name's meaning. It means "Jehovah is Savior". It is not too melodramatic then to underscore that Jesus is the Savior of mankind. The name Jesus is the English rendition of the Greek word Jesu and Hebrew Yeshua.
Gabriel goes on and tells Mary at least three specific things about what her child will do. First in verse 32 he tells her that he shall be great. The crucifixion in the eyes of men was not exactly the idea of greatness, but then God evaluates greatness far differently than man.
Secondly he tells her that he shall be called "the Son of the highest". This, of course, announces his Deity. Scripture plainly teachers that Christ was God.
And then thirdly Gabriel says "he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end". This speaks of the Messianic office that the Old Testament promised to the Messiah of God, the coming King. This was a very issue at the crucifixion. Remember that Pilate asked Christ if he was the king of the Jews? (Matthew 27:11).
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