The Christmas Story: Love is Born Part 2 2023
Luke 1:26-38
Verse 26 There are nine parallels between this story and the one that we just looked at with Zechariah.
- The region is probably also mentioned because the town of Nazareth was so small some might have not known where it was.
Verse 27 We are told two things about Mary in this verse.
- First that she is a virgin.
- And second that she is engaged to be married to a man from the house of David named Joseph.
- We again see the pedigree as we did with Zechariah and Elizabeth.
- This is to fulfill the biblical promise that the savior would come from the house and line of David.
- This is probably the first stage in a two stage Jewish marriage process.
Verse 29 This greeting greatly troubles Mary. The verb used here reflects a more intense curiosity and concern than the word used of Zechariah in verse 12
Verse 30 Once again the angel tells his recipient not to fear, just as with Zechariah.
- The angel further explains why she shouldn’t fear, because she has found favor with God.
- This was a common OT statement and was used of people like Noah, Gideon, Hannah, David.
Verse 31 This announcement echoes the language of Isa 7:14
- Once again, as with Zechariah the angel tells what the name of the child shall be.
- Mary is to name the child jIhsou’n which means “Yahweh saves.”
Verse 32 Just like with John the angel now explains the mission and greatness of the child.
- But here Jesus clearly will surpass John the Baptist.
- The word mega is used here again as it was with John but used here in a different grammatical way so as to give it even greater force.
- As the angel describes the role of this child it is clear that the child will be both God, “son of the most high,” and king, “throne of his father David.”
Verse 33 The angel now tells Mary that the reign of this child will never end, he will have an eternal kingdom.
- With John the Baptist it was said the Holy Spirit would be in him his whole life even from birth.
- Here with Jesus, His kingdom will last forever, it will never end.
- This verse is in the language of Isa 9:6-7.
Verse 34 Mary doesn’t show the doubt that Zechariah did as she doesn’t ask for a sign like Zechariah did.
- Mary’s question appears to be more innocent than Zechariah’s.
- What Mary actually says is that, “I do not have knowledge of a man.”
Verse 35 The angel’s response is very direct and indicates no rebuke or punishment for doubt like there was with Zechariah.
- Just like with John the Holy Spirit is to be key in this miracle.
- Not only will the Holy Spirit come upon Mary but the power of the most high will also overshadow her.
- This verse is also one of the most important Christological verses in Luke as it clearly says that Jesus will be the son of God and describes him as the Holy One.
Verse 36 The angel also informs Mary of her relatives Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
- Mary did not request a sign but one is given to her anyway.
Verse 37 Grammatically this is an emphatic statement, “nothing at all is impossible with God.”
Verse 38 I don’t think there is a greater response in all of Scripture.
- Mary simply says, “may it be to me as you have said.”