Devine Scripture

Luke 1:26

What does Luke 1:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:26 means

In the sixth month after Gabriel’s visit to Zacharias, Gabriel is sent to Nazareth, a Galilean town, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to Joseph of David’s house. This places Mary in time relative to Elisabeth’s pregnancy and identifies her virginity and Davidic connection, which are crucial for the Messiah’s rightful line. By noting Gabriel’s earlier role and Mary’s betrothal, Luke sets the scene for another miraculous conception and continues the theme of God’s sovereign timing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee, named Nazareth,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in the sixth month was the messenger Gabriel sent by God, to a city of Galilee, the name of which <FI>is<Fi> Nazareth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent ofGod to a city of Galilee, of which [the] name [was] Nazareth,

Context

This verse shifts the narrative to Mary and connects the two annunciations temporally. By situating Gabriel’s mission in the sixth month, Luke links John and Jesus’s births. The setting—Nazareth, Mary’s betrothal, and Davidic linkage—prepares the reader for the Annunciation and its theological implications.

v.25Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.

v.26This passage

v.27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 7:41

    Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?

  • Luke 2:4

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • Matthew 2:23

    and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

  • Luke 1:19

    And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.

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