Luke 1:28

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰσελθὼν came in G1525
εἰσελθὼν came in
Strong's: G1525
Word #: 2 of 17
to enter (literally or figuratively)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελος the angel G32
ἄγγελος the angel
Strong's: G32
Word #: 4 of 17
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
πρὸς unto G4314
πρὸς unto
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 5 of 17
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὴν her G846
αὐτὴν her
Strong's: G846
Word #: 6 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἶπεν and said G2036
εἶπεν and said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 7 of 17
to speak or say (by word or writing)
Χαῖρε Hail G5463
Χαῖρε Hail
Strong's: G5463
Word #: 8 of 17
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
κεχαριτωμένη thou that art highly favoured G5487
κεχαριτωμένη thou that art highly favoured
Strong's: G5487
Word #: 9 of 17
to grace, i.e., indue with special honor
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος the Lord G2962
κύριος the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 11 of 17
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
μετὰ is with G3326
μετὰ is with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 12 of 17
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
σοῦ thee G4675
σοῦ thee
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 13 of 17
of thee, thy
εὐλογημένη blessed G2127
εὐλογημένη blessed
Strong's: G2127
Word #: 14 of 17
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
σὺ art thou G4771
σὺ art thou
Strong's: G4771
Word #: 15 of 17
thou
ἐν among G1722
ἐν among
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 16 of 17
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
γυναιξίν women G1135
γυναιξίν women
Strong's: G1135
Word #: 17 of 17
a woman; specially, a wife

Analysis & Commentary

Gabriel's greeting 'Hail, thou that art highly favoured' (χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη) uses the perfect passive participle of 'charitoō' (χαριτόω), meaning 'to grace' or 'to endue with grace.' The perfect tense indicates Mary had been graced by God in the past with continuing effects—she existed in a state of having received divine favor. The phrase 'the Lord is with thee' (ὁ κύριος μετὰ σοῦ) echoes Old Testament formulas for those chosen for special service (Judges 6:12, Jeremiah 1:8). Mary's favor was not earned merit but God's sovereign choice. Catholic theology's 'full of grace' translation from the Vulgate (gratia plena) goes beyond the Greek text, which emphasizes God's action toward Mary, not Mary's inherent state.

Historical Context

Young Jewish women in first-century Palestine were typically betrothed between ages 12-14. Mary's betrothal to Joseph was legally binding, requiring divorce to dissolve, though consummation occurred only after the wedding ceremony. The angel's appearance in her home was highly unusual—angelic announcements typically came to men in public or temple settings (Zacharias, shepherds, Joseph in dreams).

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