Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:28-29

"And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord [is] with thee. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be." — Luke 1:28-29 (ASV)

St. Ambrose of Milan: Observe the virgin by her way of life. She was alone in an inner room, unseen by human eyes and discovered only by an angel; as it is said, And the angel came in unto her. So that she might not be dishonored by any unworthy greeting, she is greeted by an angel.

Gregory of Nyssa: The announcement now made to the Virgin is far different from the news formerly addressed to the woman. In the former case, the cause of sin was punished by the pains of childbirth; in the latter, sorrow is driven away by gladness. Therefore, the angel fittingly proclaims joy to the Virgin, saying, Hail.

Greek Expositors: That she was judged worthy of this marriage is confirmed by his saying, Full of grace. This is signified as a type of token or marriage gift from the bridegroom, showing that she was fruitful in graces. For of the things he mentions, one pertains to the bride, and the other to the bridegroom.

JEROME; And it is well said, Full of grace, for to others, grace comes in part; into Mary, the fullness of grace infused itself all at once. She is truly full of grace, for through her the abundant rain of the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon every creature.

But He who sent the angel to the Virgin was already with the Virgin. The Lord preceded His messenger, for He who dwells in all places cannot be confined by any one place. From this it follows, The Lord is with you.

St. Augustine of Hippo: He is with you more intimately than you are with yourself, for He Himself is in your heart. He is made flesh in your womb; He fills your soul, He fills your womb.

Greek Expositors: But this is the essence of the whole message. The Word of God, as the Bridegroom, bringing about an incomprehensible union, has molded the whole nature of humanity into Himself, being Himself, as it were, both the one planting and the one being planted.

Finally, the most perfect and comprehensive greeting comes last: Blessed are you among women. This means that you alone, far above all other women, are blessed, so that women also might be blessed in you, just as men are in your Son—or rather, that both are blessed in both.

For just as sin and sorrow came at once through one man and one woman, so now blessing and joy have been restored and poured out upon all through one woman and one man.

St. Ambrose of Milan: But observe the Virgin in her modesty, for she was afraid, as the text continues: And when she heard, she was troubled. It is characteristic of virgins to be timid, to be ever wary in the presence of a man, and to be modest when he addresses her. Learn, O virgin, to avoid frivolous talk. Mary feared even the greeting of an angel.

Greek Expositors: Since she might have been accustomed to such visions, the Evangelist attributes her agitation not to the vision itself but to the words she was told, saying, she was troubled at his words.

Now observe both the modesty and the wisdom of the Virgin—in her soul and, at the same time, in her response. When she heard the joyful words, she pondered them in her mind. She neither openly resisted through unbelief nor immediately and lightly complied, thus avoiding both the fickleness of Eve and the spiritual dullness of Zechariah.

Hence it is said, And she cast in her mind what manner of salutation this was. It does not say she pondered the conception, for she did not yet know the vastness of the mystery. She pondered the greeting instead: Was there any trace of passion in it, as from a man to a virgin? Or was it from God, since he mentions God, saying, The Lord is with you.

St. Ambrose of Milan: She also wondered at this new form of blessing, never heard before and reserved for Mary alone.

Origen of Alexandria: For if Mary had known that similar words had been addressed to others, such a greeting would never have seemed so strange and alarming to her.