Luke 1:29 kjv

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Luke 1:29 nkjv

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Luke 1:29 niv

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

Luke 1:29 esv

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:29 nlt

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 29 Meaning

Luke 1:29 describes Mary's deep inner reaction to the angel Gabriel's extraordinary greeting. She was not merely troubled by the angel's presence, but rather by the profound and unprecedented nature of his words. This led her to intently ponder and reason within herself about the true meaning and implication of such an unparalleled divine salutation directed towards her. Her reaction reveals a heart of humility and discernment, rather than simple fear or disbelief.

Luke 1 29 Context

Luke 1:29 immediately follows the angel Gabriel's direct greeting to Mary: "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (Lk 1:28). This specific verse encapsulates Mary's internal processing of this extraordinary event. It's crucial to understand that her trouble (Greek: διεταράχθη - dietarachthē) did not arise from simply seeing an angelic being, unlike Zechariah's fear upon encountering Gabriel in the temple (Lk 1:12). Instead, Mary's disquiet was explicitly "at his saying" (ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ), highlighting her discerning nature. As a young, devout Jewish maiden betrothed to Joseph, she likely found such an unparalleled and personal commendation ("highly favored one," "blessed among women") utterly bewildering and profound, leading her to deep contemplation about its true meaning and implication for her life. This initial reaction sets the stage for her subsequent humble question regarding the mechanics of the proposed virgin birth (Lk 1:34), demonstrating a faith that seeks understanding, rather than disbelief.

Luke 1 29 Word analysis

• And when she saw him: The verse implicitly acknowledges that Mary visually perceived Gabriel. Her seeing him precedes and enables her reaction to his words, though her trouble is rooted in his message, not his appearance.
• she was troubled: The Greek word διεταράχθη (dietarachthē) signifies being "deeply disturbed," "greatly agitated," or "throughly disquieted." This is not a superficial unease but an internal, profound agitation that pervades her being. It suggests an intense inner consternation common when encountering the supernatural or overwhelming divine communication (as seen in Dan 10:8, Ezek 1:28), yet in Mary's case, it's explicitly tied to the message itself, not terror from the sight.
• at his saying: The Greek phrase ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ (epi tō logō) specifically emphasizes that Mary's disturbance stemmed directly from the word or message spoken by Gabriel, rather than from his physical presence. This is a crucial distinction that reveals Mary's spiritual maturity and discernment. She wasn't fearful of the messenger but profoundly perplexed by the content of the divine communication directed personally to her.
• and cast in her mind: The Greek term διελογίζετο (dielogizeto) denotes a process of "deeply pondering," "reasoning thoroughly," or "deliberating." It implies an active, thoughtful, and perhaps internal debate, where she was mentally grappling with the implications of the angel's greeting. This reflects her intellectual and spiritual engagement with the divine, rather than passive reception. This suggests a desire to understand fully, reflecting her humble, inquisitive spirit.
• what manner of salutation this should be: The Greek phrase ποταπὸς εἴη ὁ ἀσπασμὸς οὗτος (potapos eiē ho aspasmos houtos) translates to "what sort or what kind of greeting this might be." ποταπὸς asks about the nature, origin, or profound character of something. The word ἀσπασμός (aspasmos) refers to a "salutation" or "greeting," often with formal or significant implications. Mary wasn't troubled by a casual hello, but by a highly unusual, commendatory, and divine declaration of "favor" and "blessedness" directed towards her. Her inquiry shows humility; she, a humble maiden, questioned how she could be deemed "highly favored" by God in such an extraordinary way, seeking to grasp the full significance of this unprecedented divine address.
• words-group: "troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be." This complete phrase reveals Mary's deep spiritual acumen. Her disturbance was not an indication of disbelief or fear of God's presence, but a response to the profound weight and unexpected nature of God's grace and favor bestowed upon her. This leads her into a period of humble, contemplative internal reasoning, not dismissing the message but earnestly seeking to understand its specific implication for her life. It sets her apart as one who not only heard but truly engaged with God's word with discernment.

Luke 1 29 Bonus section

Mary's reaction in this verse foreshadows her later, renowned hymn of praise, the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55). Her deep contemplation about the manner of salutation and her humility aligns with the themes of God exalting the humble and scattering the proud, which are central to her song. Her initial perplexity here demonstrates that she was a real, thinking person, not a mere automaton, and her subsequent acceptance was an act of informed, conscious faith. This personal struggle to grasp the divine word makes her a relatable and exemplary figure of faith who engages intellectually and spiritually with God's will.

Luke 1 29 Commentary

Luke 1:29 portrays Mary's response to an overwhelming divine encounter with a profound depth of spiritual insight. Her disquiet was not rooted in fear of Gabriel's appearance but in the momentousness of his words, especially the extraordinary declaration of her "favor" and "blessedness" by God. This triggered not doubt, but intense internal contemplation—a characteristic Mary exhibits elsewhere in Luke (Lk 2:19, 51). Her questioning ("what manner of salutation?") sprang from genuine humility and a desire to comprehend the full implication of such unprecedented divine grace directed toward an ordinary, humble servant. This profound, contemplative reaction sets her apart, revealing a heart profoundly devoted to God, capable of discerning the spiritual weight of divine revelation and pondering its personal implications without immediate incredulity, paving the way for her ultimate obedient acceptance.