Study Desk

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel^(x) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,^(y)

to a virgin engaged^(z) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.^(aa) The virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you."^[i]

But she was deeply troubled^(ab) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary,^(ac) for you have found favor with God.

Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus.^(ad)

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,^(ae) and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.^(af)

He will reign over the house of Jacob^(ag) forever, and His kingdom will have no end.^(ah)

Mary asked the angel, "How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?"^[j]

The angel replied to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,^(ai) and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.^(aj)

And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless.

For nothing will be impossible with God."^(ak)

"I am the Lord's slave,"^[k] said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her.

In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah

where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her,^[l] and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.^(al)

Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: "You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed!^[m]

How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me!^[n]

She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!"

And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of^[o] the Lord,^(am)

and my spirit has rejoiced^(an) in God my Savior,^(ao)

because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,^(ap)

because the Mighty One^(aq) has done great things for me,^(ar) and His name^(as) is holy.

His mercy is from generation to generation^(at) on those who fear Him.

He has done a mighty deed with His arm;^(au) He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts;

He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

He has satisfied the hungry with good things^(av) and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy,^[p]

just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants^[q] forever.

And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.