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LUKE 1:29 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 1:28Luke 1:30
“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be — the troubled wondering (dietarachthē, was deeply disturbed) is Mary's response to the greeting, not yet to any announcement. She is wondering about the greeting's meaning before she knows its content — the intensity of the angelic address has already communicated that something extraordinary is being said. The wondering (dialogizomai, reasoning within herself) communicates active theological reflection rather than passive reception.

Church Fathers on Luke 1:29

Mark the virgin by her manner of life. Alone in an inner chamber, unseen by the eyes of men, discovered only by an angel; as it is said, And the angel came in to her. That she might not be dishonored by any ignoble address, she is saluted by an angel.

Ambrose · 4th century

Far different then to the news formerly addressed to the woman, is the announcement now made to the Virgin. In the former, the cause of sin was punished by the pains of childbirth; In the latter, through gladness, sorrow is driven away. Hence the angel not unaptly proclaims joy to the Virgin, saying, Hail.

Gregory of Nyssa · 4th century

But that she was judged worthy of the nuptials is attested by his saying, Full of grace. For it is signified as a kind of token or marriage gift of the bridegroom, that she was fruitful in graces. For of the things which he mentions, the one appertains to the bride, the other to the bridegroom. JEROME; And it is well said, Full of grace, for to others, grace comes in part; into Mary at once the fullness of grace wholly infused itself. She truly is full of grace through whom…

GREEK EX ·
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Luke 1:29 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy