Luke 1:30 kjv

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:30 nkjv

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30 niv

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30 esv

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30 nlt

"Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!

Luke 1 verses

Luke 1 30 Meaning

The angel Gabriel, speaking to Mary, reassures her by stating she has found favor with God. This verse follows Mary's perturbation at the angelic greeting and implies a divine purpose for her. It highlights God's initiative in selecting individuals for His plan, assuring them of His presence and blessing despite their unworthiness or initial fear. It points to an unmerited grace given by God, preparing Mary for the astounding revelation of the virgin birth.

Luke 1 30 Context

Luke 1:30 is part of the Annunciation narrative, following Gabriel's appearance to Mary. She is described as "greatly troubled" by the angel's greeting in Luke 1:29. The greeting itself, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" (Lk 1:28), had already established a sense of divine intervention and special status for Mary. This verse, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God," serves as a direct response to Mary's internal consternation, seeking to calm her and provide an explanation for the profound encounter. Historically, angelic visitations often evoked fear, necessitating reassurances. Culturally, for a young, betrothed Jewish virgin, the idea of a miraculous pregnancy would be profoundly challenging and potentially shaming, making divine reassurance even more critical for her faith and understanding of God's unblemished plan.

Luke 1 30 Word analysis

• Do not be afraid, (μὴ φοβοῦ, mê phobou):
  • μὴ (mê): Greek negative particle used for prohibitions, commanding someone not to do something or to stop doing something already begun.
  • φοβοῦ (phobou): Imperative, middle voice of the verb φoβέομαι (phobeomai), meaning "to fear," "to be afraid," "to dread." The middle voice suggests the fear is something happening to or within Mary. This command is common in angelic visitations throughout Scripture (Gen 15:1; Lk 1:13; Lk 2:10; Matt 14:27). It implies a benevolent divine presence overcoming natural human trepidation in the face of the supernatural. It assures that the encounter is for good, not ill.
• Mary (Μαριάμ, Mariam):
  • This direct address specifies the recipient of God's favor and the subsequent prophecy. It underscores the personal nature of God's call and election. It confirms the identity of the person spoken to earlier by the angel and troubled by his appearance (Lk 1:27, 29).
• for (γὰρ, gar):
  • A conjunctive particle, it introduces a reason or explanation. It clarifies why Mary should not be afraid: because she is already in a privileged position with God. This divine favor renders fear unnecessary.
• you have found (εὗρες, heūres):
  • Aorist active indicative of εὑρίσκω (heuriskō), "to find," "to discover," "to obtain." The aorist tense indicates a completed action that has already taken place, emphasizing that her favored status is an established reality, not something yet to occur or be earned. This finding is not accidental but divinely ordained and realized. It's a declaration, not a condition.
• favor (χάριν, charin):
  • Accusative of χάρις (charis), "grace," "favor," "goodwill," "kindness," "blessing." This term signifies unmerited divine benevolence, an act of God's good pleasure without regard to human worthiness or earning. It's a fundamental theological concept, denoting God's gracious disposition and gifts towards humanity. In this context, it is God's active goodwill specifically extended to Mary for a divine purpose. This favor is distinct from personal merit.
• with God (παρὰ Θεῷ, para Theō):
  • παρὰ (para): Preposition indicating proximity, "alongside," "with," "from." Here, it signifies the source of the favor, establishing that this divine grace originates directly from God and exists in His presence.
  • Θεῷ (Theō): Dative of Θεός (Theos), "God." This emphasizes the divine origin and nature of the favor. The favor is from the highest authority, God Himself, adding ultimate weight and certainty to the angel's message.

• "Do not be afraid, Mary": This common angelic injunction dispels immediate human terror, clearing the way for receptivity to the divine message. It highlights that God's communication, even when overwhelming, is never meant to harm or terrify in the long run but to bless. It prepares Mary's heart for obedience and trust.
• "for you have found favor with God": This phrase explains why Mary should not fear and introduces the basis for the impending extraordinary events. It's not because of anything Mary did, but because of God's sovereign choice and grace. This "favor" sets her apart as the chosen vessel for the incarnation, establishing her unique blessedness and preparedness for God's plan. It foreshadows the magnitude of the upcoming revelation that necessitates such a declaration of divine favor.

Luke 1 30 Bonus section

The concept of "finding favor with God" (χάρις) implies more than mere approval; it denotes a special endowment of divine goodwill and power for a specific purpose. This specific favor bestowed upon Mary for the unique role of bearing God incarnate stands as a singular event in salvation history. It highlights that God often chooses the humble and unexpected (Lk 1:52-53, Psa 113:7-8, 1 Cor 1:27-29) to fulfill His grandest plans, thereby revealing His power and grace rather than human strength. Mary's humility (Lk 1:38) further underscores that divine favor is a gift to be received with obedience, not a reward for extraordinary piety. Her "favor" made her receptive and willing to participate in a way no other human being has.

Luke 1 30 Commentary

Luke 1:30 serves as the theological pivot within the Annunciation, moving from Mary's fear to understanding God's unparalleled choice. The phrase "Do not be afraid" acts as a pastoral assurance, a common biblical response to divine encounters. Its placement after Mary's perturbation emphasizes God's gentle condescension to human fragility. The core of the verse lies in "you have found favor with God," clarifying that Mary's selection is not a result of her merit but entirely of God's sovereign grace, a gift. This favor, charis, is unearned divine kindness, the very essence of God's disposition towards His chosen ones. It underpins the astonishing revelation that follows concerning the birth of the Savior. This concept of finding favor with God is a recurrent biblical theme, applied to individuals chosen for specific divine purposes, from Noah (Gen 6:8) to David (Acts 7:46), establishing Mary's inclusion in a lineage of the divinely blessed, but uniquely so.