New Testament · Gospel

Luke 1:27

The Careful Account

to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:27 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 1:27, in plain English

He goes to a young virgin who is engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Her name is Mary.

Why it's here

Mary was probably a teenager, engaged to a carpenter. She was nobody special by the world's standards. But God saw something in her that the world couldn't see.

Who's speaking

Luke introduces Mary to the reader.

Where it sits in the story

A young girl in a small town, probably planning her wedding. She has no idea that God has chosen her for the most extraordinary role any human being would ever play.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Gabriel is sent to a parthenos (virgin) betrothed to Joseph, who is ek oikou David (of the house of David), establishing the messianic lineage. The virgin's name is Mariam (Mary).

Language and setting

Betrothal in Jewish custom was a legally binding agreement preceding marriage. Mary's virginity and Joseph's Davidic lineage are both essential to Luke's christological framework (cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Voice

The narrator introduces Mary and her circumstances.

Significance

Two critical details converge: Mary's virginity and Joseph's Davidic descent. The miraculous conception will fulfill both the virgin birth prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) and the Davidic covenant.

In context

Luke 1:25–29

25“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Read all of Luke 1 — A physician writes the most detailed account of Jesus' life. Luke notices the people others overlook — the poor, the outcast, the women, the forgotten.

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