Devine Scripture

Luke 1:27

What does Luke 1:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:27 means

Luke identifies Mary as a virgin betrothed to Joseph, of David’s house, and names her. Her virginity and betrothal are legally binding but not yet consummated, so God's action would be miraculous. Joseph’s Davidic ancestry matters for messianic legitimacy. Mary’s ordinary background contrasts with the extraordinary destiny she will assume. Luke emphasizes both her human circumstances and the covenantal lineage that connects the child she will bear to Davidic promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To a virgin who was to be married to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to a virgin, betrothed to a man, whose name <FI>is<Fi> Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of the virgin <FI>is<Fi> Mary.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name [was] Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.

Context

This verse completes the introduction begun in verse 26, giving Mary’s marital and familial details. It anchors the Annunciation in concrete social and theological terms. The next verses unfold Gabriel’s greeting and the announcement of Jesus’ conception and identity.

v.26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

v.27This passage

v.28And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 1:16

    and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Genesis 3:15

    and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Matthew 1:20

    But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 1:18

    Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 1:23

    Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

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