Luke 1:27 kjv
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:27 nkjv
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:27 niv
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:27 esv
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:27 nlt
to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.
Luke 1 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 7:14 | "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son..." | Prophecy of the virgin birth of Immanuel. |
| Mt 1:23 | "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel..." | Matthew's direct fulfillment quote of Isa 7:14. |
| Mt 1:18 | "...His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit." | Confirmation of Mary's virginity and betrothal at conception. |
| Lk 1:34 | "Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?'" | Mary's own statement of her virginity to Gabriel. |
| Lk 1:35 | "And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you...'" | Explanation of the miraculous, Spirit-enabled conception. |
| 2 Sam 7:12 | "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you..." | Davidic Covenant: Promise of an eternal throne from David's lineage. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | "I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant: 'Your seed I will establish forever...'" | Divine assurance of the perpetuation of David's line. |
| Jer 23:5-6 | "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness..." | Prophecy of a righteous King (Messiah) from David's line. |
| Mt 1:1-17 | Jesus' genealogy tracing through Joseph back to Abraham and David. | Genealogy confirming Jesus' legal Davidic lineage through Joseph. |
| Lk 3:23-38 | Jesus' genealogy through Mary's paternal line (Joseph, son-in-law) to David. | Genealogy confirming Jesus' blood Davidic lineage through Mary and Joseph's legal paternal line. |
| Rom 1:3-4 | "concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh..." | Pauline affirmation of Christ's Davidic human descent. |
| 2 Tim 2:8 | "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead..." | Paul emphasizes Christ's Davidic connection for His legitimacy. |
| Rev 22:16 | "I, Jesus... I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." | Jesus declares His fulfillment of Davidic prophecy. |
| Deut 22:23 | "If a young woman who is a virgin is betrothed to a husband..." | Legal status of betrothal, similar to marriage in ancient Israel. |
| Mt 1:19-20 | "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example..." | Joseph's integrity and dilemma concerning Mary's unexpected pregnancy. |
| Lk 1:28 | "And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!'" | Angel's salutation emphasizing Mary's divine favor. |
| Lk 1:30 | "Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'" | Reassurance of Mary's special favor with God. |
| Ex 3:10 | "Come now, therefore, and I will send you..." | Example of God calling an individual (Moses) for a divine purpose. |
| Judg 6:12 | "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" | Angel's address to Gideon, echoing the language of divine favor and calling. |
| Jer 1:5 | "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you..." | God's sovereign foreknowledge and predestination of individuals. |
| Gal 4:4 | "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law..." | God's perfect timing and sending of His Son in human form. |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise..." | God's choice of humble instruments to accomplish His will. |
| Lk 2:4-5 | "Joseph also went up from Galilee... with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child." | Details of Joseph and Mary's travel, reinforcing their betrothal status. |
Luke 1 verses
Luke 1 27 Meaning
Luke 1:27 introduces the divinely chosen mother of Jesus, Mary, detailing her circumstances. She is identified as a virgin who is legally betrothed to Joseph, a man connected to the esteemed royal lineage of David. This verse establishes the essential human and genealogical framework for the incarnation of the Messiah, setting the stage for the miraculous events that follow and laying the groundwork for the fulfillment of critical Old Testament prophecies.
Luke 1 27 Context
Luke chapter 1 systematically prepares the reader for the arrival of the Messiah. It opens with the promise of John the Baptist's miraculous birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth, establishing a divine pattern of intervention. Following this, Gabriel, the same angel, is sent to a humble town, Nazareth. Verse 27 specifically introduces Mary, setting her distinct identity as the central human figure in the narrative of Christ's conception. The verse's details of her virginity, betrothal, and Joseph's Davidic lineage address crucial aspects for its original Jewish audience, fulfilling messianic expectations regarding Davidic ancestry. Simultaneously, it lays the foundation for the unique nature of Jesus' birth, presenting a challenge to conventional understandings of lineage and Messiahship, highlighting God's sovereign and unexpected methods of bringing salvation.
Luke 1 27 Word analysis
- to a virgin (παρθένον - parthenon): This Greek term denotes a young woman who is uninitiated in sexual relations. Its usage here emphasizes Mary's physical purity and fulfills the Septuagint translation of Isa 7:14 concerning the Messiah's miraculous conception. This detail is crucial for understanding the sinless nature of Christ's incarnation, as He did not inherit the fallen human nature through natural generation. It signifies a divine, rather than human, origin for the life within her.
- betrothed (ἐμνηστευμένην - emnesteumenen): This refers to the ancient Jewish custom of betrothal, which was a legally binding commitment, stronger than a modern engagement but prior to cohabitation. It effectively made the couple legally husband and wife, though sexual intimacy was forbidden. This status protects Mary's honor and reputation in society and establishes Joseph's legal paternity, allowing Jesus to be formally connected to David's lineage through Joseph. Dissolving a betrothal required a formal divorce.
- to a man (ἀνδρί - andri): This Greek term simply means "to a man" or "to a husband." Here, it identifies Joseph as Mary's intended partner and legally recognized fiancé, affirming the structured and honorable context of God's plan.
- whose name was Joseph (ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἰωσὴφ - onoma auto Ioseph): "Joseph" is a common Jewish name, meaning "He (God) will add" or "increase." Naming him is vital as it anchors Jesus' human family. Matthew's Gospel portrays Joseph as a righteous and obedient man who faithfully carries out God's directives despite challenging circumstances, showcasing his suitability for his unique role.
- of the house of David (ἐξ οἴκου Δαυίδ - ex oikou Dauid): This is a profound and crucial detail. It connects Joseph, and thereby Jesus, directly to the royal line of King David. Old Testament prophecies repeatedly foretold that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (e.g., 2 Sam 7; Jer 23). Joseph's Davidic lineage legally links Jesus to this prophesied ancestry, legitimizing His claim to Messiahship in the eyes of the Jewish people, despite His non-biological paternal link to Joseph. Both Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' lineage back to David, albeit through different family lines, confirming this critical messianic requirement.
- and the virgin's name was Mary (καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς παρθένου Μαριάμ - kai to onoma tēs parthenou Mariam): The reiteration of "the virgin" underscores her central identity in the narrative. "Mary" is from the Hebrew "Miryam," possibly meaning "bitter," but more often associated with "exalted" or "beloved by Yahweh." Naming her individually draws attention to her specific person as the recipient of the divine message and the one chosen for this unique role in salvation history. Luke specifically highlights Mary's personal and spiritual significance, showcasing God's election of a humble, obscure woman.
Luke 1 27 Bonus section
This verse acts as a precise anchor point for connecting the promised Messiah with specific earthly conditions. Luke, often meticulous in historical detail, identifies Mary by her betrothed status to indicate the unique scenario the angel Gabriel would confront her with – a supernatural conception within a recognized, yet unconsummated, marital arrangement. This provides both historical context and theological foundation for Jesus' legal standing as David's descendant through Joseph. It also subtly reinforces God's respect for societal order and established custom, even as He dramatically intervenes in human affairs through a miracle. The choice of an obscure Nazareth virgin from a seemingly ordinary family underscores God's wisdom, choosing those not highly esteemed by the world to accomplish the greatest divine purposes (1 Cor 1:27-28), magnifying His grace rather than human merit.
Luke 1 27 Commentary
Luke 1:27 concisely reveals God's meticulous selection of the human instruments for His ultimate act of redemption. It establishes Mary's virginity and betrothal as foundational elements, highlighting the dual nature of Christ's origin: both miraculous and divinely pure, yet socially legitimate. By placing Jesus within Joseph's established Davidic lineage, God fulfills prophecies essential for recognizing the Messiah, demonstrating His sovereignty over human history and lineage. The verse subtly contrasts the immense theological weight of the events with the seemingly ordinary lives of those involved, underscoring God's habit of working through humble means for His greatest purposes.