Luke 1:26 states: "Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth."
Let's break down what this means:
"Now in the sixth month": This refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy. Earlier in Luke (1:24-25), Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, conceived a child (John the Baptist) and secluded herself for five months. This verse marks the sixth month of that pregnancy. The exact calendar month is subject to interpretation as the Jewish calendar is lunisolar.
"the angel Gabriel was sent from God": Gabriel is an angel, a messenger of God, and this verse indicates he was specifically sent by God. Gabriel is a prominent figure in both the Old and New Testaments, often delivering important divine messages (e.g., to Daniel in the Old Testament). The fact that Gabriel is sent underscores the importance of the event that is about to unfold.
"to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth": Galilee was a northern region of Israel, and Nazareth was a small, relatively insignificant town within that region. Nazareth was a place of little reputation at the time. This choice of location is notable, as it highlights that God's work often happens in unexpected places and with ordinary people.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Christian theology. It introduces the messenger (Gabriel), identifies the timing (six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy), and specifies the location (Nazareth). It prepares the reader for Gabriel's visit to Mary and the announcement of the birth of Jesus. This verse is a crucial introduction to the Annunciation, a foundational event in the narrative of Jesus's life.
Luke 1:26 states: "Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth."
Let's break down what this means:
"Now in the sixth month": This refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy. Earlier in Luke (1:24-25), Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, conceived a child (John the Baptist) and secluded herself for five months. This verse marks the sixth month of that pregnancy. The exact calendar month is subject to interpretation as the Jewish calendar is lunisolar.
"the angel Gabriel was sent from God": Gabriel is an angel, a messenger of God, and this verse indicates he was specifically sent by God. Gabriel is a prominent figure in both the Old and New Testaments, often delivering important divine messages (e.g., to Daniel in the Old Testament). The fact that Gabriel is sent underscores the importance of the event that is about to unfold.
"to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth": Galilee was a northern region of Israel, and Nazareth was a small, relatively insignificant town within that region. Nazareth was a place of little reputation at the time. This choice of location is notable, as it highlights that God's work often happens in unexpected places and with ordinary people.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Christian theology. It introduces the messenger (Gabriel), identifies the timing (six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy), and specifies the location (Nazareth). It prepares the reader for Gabriel's visit to Mary and the announcement of the birth of Jesus. This verse is a crucial introduction to the Annunciation, a foundational event in the narrative of Jesus's life.