Written By Lesallan – August 27, 2023
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV): Detailed Analysis
Version: ESV
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS & QUESTIONS
• The literary genre of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is narrative.
o What does this narrative tell the story about?
• The historical and cultural context of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is the first century AD in Palestine under Roman rule.
o Who was the Roman ruler during this period of time?
• The author is Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul.
o What was Luke’s purpose for writing this Gospel?
• The audience is Theophilus, a Greek name that means “lover of God” or “friend of God” (Strong’s Concordance, 1890).
o Was Theophilus a person, or was the name used to represent a group of people?
• The main characters in Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) are Mary, a young Jewish virgin betrothed to Joseph; Gabriel, an angel sent by God; and Jesus, the Son of God and the Messiah.
o Who and what are these characters meant to represent?
• The main event of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is the annunciation of Jesus’ birth to Mary.
o What is the annunciation?
o Who is Mary?
• The central theme of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is God’s grace and power in fulfilling his promises.
o How is God’s grace and His promises fulfilled?
• The main keywords of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) are Gabriel, favor, conceive, Son of the Most High, throne, reign, kingdom, virgin, Holy Spirit, overshadow, holy, Son of God, Jesus, impossible, and servant.
o How should these words be defined and Biblically interpreted?
• The main phrases of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) are “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28, ESV) “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30, ESV) “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31, ESV) “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32, ESV) “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33, ESV) “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34, ESV) “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.” (Luke 1:35, ESV) “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.” (Luke 1:36, ESV) “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37, ESV) “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38, ESV).
o How should these phrases be defined and Biblically interpreted?
• The literary devices and stylistic features of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) include parallelism, contrast, irony, allusion, prophecy, and dialogue (Bauer & Traina, 2014).
o What are the literary devices and stylistic features meant to do?
• The theological implications and ethical applications of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) are that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah who will inherit David’s throne and establish an everlasting kingdom.
o What do these theological implications tell us or show us about God, Jesus, and Mary?
• How does the Book of Luke (ESV) portray Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah?
• How does the Book of Luke (ESV) challenge and encourage readers to follow Jesus and his teachings?
• What is the historical and cultural background of the Book of Luke (ESV), and how does it affect its interpretation?
STRUCTURE
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is a significant portion of Luke’s Gospel, introducing key themes and characters such as Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and Son of God, the role of the Holy Spirit, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the importance of responding with faith and obedience. This section highlights the contrasts and connections between John, Jesus, Zechariah, and Mary. Within the book of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV), some events and teachings foreshadow what will come in later parts of the Gospel. These include the baptism of Jesus by John, where the Holy Spirit descends on him and God declares him to be his Son; the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where he resists the devil’s challenges to his identity and mission; the transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain, where he converses with Moses and Elijah about his departure in Jerusalem; and finally, the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross, where he yields his life to God’ will and is acknowledged by a centurion as a just man. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) announces a special birth, similar to those of Ishmael, Isaac, and Samson, illustrating how God uses unlikely or unexpected people to accomplish his purposes in human history. The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth beautifully depicts the unity and happiness between these two women chosen by God to bear his messengers, highlighting the prophetic role of John and Jesus in announcing God’s salvation to the world. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) reminds us of the power of faith and obedience in responding to God’s call and fulfilling his plan for our lives.
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) narrates the account of the angel Gabriel informing Mary of her blessed role in bearing Jesus, the Son of God. The passage can be divided into three main parts based on the conversation between Gabriel and Mary. Luke 1:26-29 (ESV) sets the scene, introduces the characters, and presents the story’s conflict. God sends Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary, who is betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of David. Gabriel greets Mary with an unexpected and perplexing message: “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28, ESV). Mary is troubled and wonders what this greeting means (Luke 1:29, ESV). Luke 1:30-33 (ESV) delivers the primary announcement and its implications. Gabriel assures Mary that she need not be afraid, for she has found favor with God (Luke 1:30, ESV). He reveals that she will conceive and bear a son, whom she will name Jesus (Luke 1:31, ESV). He then describes the identity and destiny of this Son: He will be great, He will be called the Son of the Most High, He will inherit the throne of David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:32-33, ESV). Luke 1:34-38 (ESV) portrays the response and resolution of the story. Mary asks Gabriel how this can be since she is a virgin. Gabriel explains that this will be the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work, which will overshadow her and cause her to conceive (Luke 1:34-35, ESV). He also gives her a sign of confirmation: her barren relative, Elizabeth, is also pregnant in her old age. He declares that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:36-37, ESV). Mary accepts Gabriel’s words with humble faith and obedience: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Gabriel departs from her (Luke 1:38, ESV). Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is structured to highlight the contrast between human weakness and divine power and the fulfillment of God’s promises in history.
I. Introduction (Luke 1:26-29, ESV).
A. The setting (Luke 1:26, ESV).
B. The characters (Luke 1:27, ESV).
II. The Announcement (Luke 1:28-33, ESV).
A. Gabriel’s greeting (Luke 1:28, ESV).
B. Mary’s response (Luke 1:29, ESV).
C. Gabriel’s message (Luke 1:30-33, ESV).
D. The Child’s conception (Luke 1:34-35, ESV).
E. The Child’s name and nature (Luke 1:31-32, ESV).
F. The Child’s kingdom (Luke 1:32-33, ESV).
III. Mary’s Response (Luke 1:34-38, ESV).
A. Mary’s question (Luke 1:34, ESV).
B. Gabriel’s answer (Luke 1:35-37, ESV).
C. Mary’s submission (Luke 1:38, ESV).
IV. Conclusion (Luke 1:38, ESV).
A. “The angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38, ESV).
WORDS & PHRASES
“Gabriel” (Luke 1:26, ESV).
What does the word Gabriel mean as used in the Bible and Luke 1:26 (ESV)?
The name Gabriel means "God is my warrior" or "my hero is God" (Keener, 2014). The name Gabriel means "man of God" or "God is my man" in Hebrew. It is derived from two Hebrew words: geber, which means "man" or "warrior," and el, which is a shortened form of Elohim, the generic name for God (Strong's Concordance, 1890). The name Gabriel reflects the role and character of the angel who bears it, as he is a messenger and agent of God who reveals his will and plans to humans.What is the significance of Gabriel’s message to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)?
This question can be answered by studying the subsections of the Book of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV), which include Gabriel's greeting, Mary's response, Gabriel's message, the Child's conception, the Child's name and nature, and the Child's kingdom. By examining these subsections, one can understand the importance of Gabriel's message and how it relates to the birth of Jesus Christ.“He will be great … no end” (Luke 1:32–33, ESV).
What is the significance of the phrase “He will be great … no end” in relation to Jesus’ kingdom?
By examining the sections on Gabriel’s message, the Child’s name and nature, and The Child’s kingdom, one can understand the importance of Jesus’ kingdom and how it relates to the phrase “He will be great … no end” (Luke 1:32-33, ESV).
What is the significance of the phrase “He will be great … no end” in relation to the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
By examining the subsections of Luke 1:26 (ESV), one can understand how Jesus’ kingdom fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. The Book of Isaiah (ESV) states, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7, ESV).
“The Holy Spirit will come upon” (Luke 1:35, ESV).
What is the significance of the Holy Spirit’s role in the conception of Jesus?
When examining Gabriel’s message to Mary and the Child’s conception, one can understand how the Holy Spirit’s role in the conception of Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies and establishes Jesus’ divine nature. The Book of Isaiah (ESV) states, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV).
“Son of God” (Luke 1:35, ESV).
What is the significance of the phrase “Son of God” in relation to Jesus’ identity?
The answer to this question is found by examining the subsections of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) containing Gabriel’s message and the Child’s name and nature. Upon examination, it is clear that the phrase “Son of God” is directly connected to Jesus’ divine nature and his role as the Messiah. While the Old Testament used the term “son of God” to refer to Israel as a nation (Exodus 4:22-23, ESV) and to David as king (Psalm 2:7, ESV), the New Testament exclusively reserves this title for Jesus Christ, who is the unique Son of God and is equal to God, the Father (John 5:18; 10:30, ESV).
What is the significance of the phrase “Son of God” in relation to the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
Jesus’ identity as the Son of God fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. For example, in the Book of Psalm (ESV), it is prophesied that “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you'” (Psalm 2:7, ESV). Similarly, in Isaiah (ESV), it is prophesied that “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV).
“Betrothed” (Luke 1:27, ESV).
In what context is the word betrothed used in Luke 1:27 (ESV)?
Betrothal in Luke 1:27 refers to a Jewish custom of marriage. It was a binding agreement arranged by parents or guardians involving a ceremony and contract. It lasted approximately a year, during which the couple did not live together or have sexual relations. It ended with a wedding feast and consummation and could only be broken by death or divorce.
Why are there so many different versions and applications of the word betrothed in the Bible?
The Bible contains various versions and applications of the term betrothed, as it is a compilation of books written by various authors in different languages, at different periods, and in diverse cultures. Consequently, the meaning and implications of the word betrothed may differ, depending on the context and translation.
SUMMARY, CORRELATION, & APPLICATION
The angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary, who reveals that Jesus will be the Son of God and establish an eternal kingdom (Luke 1:26-38, ESV).
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) describes the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son who will be the Son of God and establish an eternal kingdom. The passage is divided into four main sections: Introduction, The Annunciation, Mary’s Response, and Conclusion. Gabriel’s message to Mary is the passage’s central focus, revealing important details about Jesus’ identity and mission. By examining the subsections of Gabriel’s message, one can understand how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and establishes a new covenant between God and humanity. The passage’s main point is that Jesus is the Son of God who will bring salvation to the world through his life, death, and resurrection.
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) is a significant passage in the New Testament that reveals important details about Jesus’ identity and mission. The passage is part of the larger narrative of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, which is the central focus of the New Testament. The angel Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary is also mentioned in Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV), which provides additional details about Joseph’s role in the story. Furthermore, the phrase “Son of God” is used throughout the New Testament to refer to Jesus Christ, and it is often associated with his divine nature and his role as the Messiah. The significance of the Holy Spirit’s role in the conception of Jesus is also discussed in other parts of Scripture, such as Matthew 1:20 (ESV) and Luke 3:22 (ESV). By examining these connections between Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) and other parts of Scripture, one can better understand Jesus’ identity and mission as revealed in the New Testament.
When interpreted within its canonical context, Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) has several applications for individuals, churches, and denominations. Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) emphasizes the importance of faith, obedience, and submission to God’s will. Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message is a model for believers seeking to follow God’s plan. The passage also highlights the divine nature of Jesus Christ and his role as the Messiah who establishes an eternal kingdom. This has significant implications for the church, which is called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and participate in his mission of redemption and reconciliation. Denominations can draw on this passage to emphasize the importance of theological orthodoxy and the centrality of Christ in their beliefs and practices. Overall, Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) provides a rich source of theological insight and practical guidance for individuals, churches, and denominations seeking to follow God’ will and participate in his mission in the world.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
• How does Mary’s faith, obedience, and submission to God’ will contrast with other characters in the Bible, such as Zechariah, Sarah, or Jonah?
• How does the divine nature of Jesus Christ and his role as the Messiah affect our understanding of his teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection?
• How can the church proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and participate in his mission of redemption and reconciliation in today’s world?
• What are some theological differences and similarities among denominations regarding the doctrines of Christology, pneumatology, and soteriology?
• How can individuals, churches, and denominations apply the principles of Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) to their personal, communal, and social lives?
References:
Bauer, D. R., & Traina, R. A. (2014). Inductive bible study – a comprehensive guide to the practice of hermeneutics. Baker Publishing Group.
Keener, C. S. (2014). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament. Intervarsity Press.
STRONG’S CONCORDANCE. (1890). Www.kingjamesbibleonline.org. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/strongs-concordance/
