Devine Scripture

Luke 1:28

What does Luke 1:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:28 means

Gabriel greets Mary with a salutation of favor: “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.” The phrase signals divine favor and presence rather than mere politeness. It prepares Mary to receive extraordinary news and recognizes her chosen status for God’s purpose. The greeting echoes Old Testament encounters where God’s presence marks a person for mission. It begins a dialogue that will explain how God’s favor will work through her.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the angel came in to her and said, Peace be with you, to whom special grace has been given; the Lord is with you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the messenger having come in unto her, said, `Hail, favoured one, the Lord <FI>is<Fi> with thee; blessed <FI>art<Fi> thou among women;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the angel came in to her, and said, Hail, [thou] favoured one! the Lord [is] with thee: [blessed art thou amongst women].

Context

This is the opening line of the Annunciation. Coming after Mary’s identification, the angelic salutation initiates a personal encounter parallel to Zacharias’s temple vision. The scene contrasts Mary's ordinary setting with an extraordinary greeting, preparing the reader for the message of Jesus’ conception.

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

v.28This passage

v.29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 9:21

    yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

  • Hosea 14:2

    Take with you words, and return unto Jehovah: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips.

  • Judges 6:12

    And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him, and said unto him, Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.

  • Daniel 10:19

    And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spake unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

  • Matthew 12:48

    But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

  • Isaiah 43:5

    Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

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