Chapter

Luke 1:26

ESV In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
NIV In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
NASB Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,
CSB In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
NLT In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,
KJV And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
NKJV Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

What does Luke 1:26 mean?

The prior passage explained how Elizabeth came to learn she would bear a son: the man later known as John the Baptist (Luke 1:24–25). For five months, she has remained in seclusion. This was likely because of public interest over her husband's angelic vision (Luke 1:11–13). This passage begins after that: six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy.

The same angel who spoke to Zechariah in the temple (Luke 1:19) will now visit another woman. Unlike Elizabeth, Mary is a virgin, unmarried but betrothed (Luke 1:27). This arrangement was as binding as marriage but did not include living together or consummation. This announcement will be even more incredible than what was told to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Mary will conceive, but through the Holy Spirit, rather than intercourse. The Child she bears will be the Son of God (Luke 1:31–32).

Mary is from the Galilee region near the Sea of Galilee, north of Jerusalem. Nazareth was a small town of less than 2,000 residents. The obscurity of this place will come up later, as the gospels record skeptics' criticism of Jesus Christ (John 1:46; 7:41).
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