Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:36-38

"And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power. And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." — Luke 1:36-38 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Since his previous words had reassured the virgin's mind, the angel turns his discourse to a more tangible subject, persuading her by referring to concrete events. For this reason, he says, And behold, your cousin Elizabeth, etc. Notice Gabriel's discretion; he did not remind her of Sarah, Rebecca, or Rachel, because they were examples from ancient times. Instead, he brings forward a recent event so that he might impress it more forcibly on her mind. For this reason, he also mentioned her age, saying, She also has conceived a son in her old age, and also her natural infirmity, as it follows, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For he did not make this announcement at the very beginning of Elizabeth's conception, but only after six months had passed, so that the swelling of her womb could confirm the truth of his words.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus: But someone will ask, "How is Christ related to David, since Mary descended from the line of Aaron, the angel having declared Elizabeth to be her kinswoman?" This was brought about by divine counsel, so that the royal race might be united to the priestly lineage, and that Christ, who is both King and Priest, might be descended from both according to the flesh. For it is written that Aaron, the first High Priest according to the Law, took for his wife Elizabeth, the daughter of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah. Observe the most holy providence of the Spirit in arranging that the wife of Zacharias should be called Elizabeth, thus reminding us of the Elizabeth whom Aaron married.

The Venerable Bede: So then, so that the virgin would not despair of being able to bear a son, she received the example of one who was both old and barren and yet was about to give birth. This was so that she would learn that all things are possible with God, even those which seem to oppose the natural order. This is why the angel adds, For with God no word will be impossible.

St. John Chrysostom: For the Lord of nature can do all things as He wills, as He is the one who carries out and arranges all things, holding the reins of life and death.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Whoever says, “If God is omnipotent, let Him cause those things which have been done to have not been done,” does not perceive that he is saying, “Let Him cause those things which are true to be false, precisely in that they are true.” For God can cause something that existed to cease to exist, as when He causes a person who was born to cease to exist through death. But who can claim that God makes something “not to be” when it already no longer exists? For whatever is past is no longer in being. If something can happen to a thing, that thing must still exist for it to happen to; and if it still exists, how can it be in the past?

Therefore, that which we truly say has been is no longer in being, because the truth of its pastness is a matter of fact, not a property of a thing that still exists. God cannot make this truth false. Nor do we call God omnipotent by supposing that He could die. Plainly, He alone is truly called omnipotent who truly is, and through whom alone everything that exists in any way—whether spirit or body—has its being.

St. Ambrose of Milan: Consider now the humility and devotion of the virgin. For it follows, Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. She calls herself His handmaid, who is chosen to be His mother; she was so far from being exalted by the sudden promise. At the same time, by calling herself a handmaid, she claimed the privilege of this great grace for no other reason than to do what was commanded of her. Since she was to bring forth One who was meek and lowly, she herself was bound to show lowliness. As it follows, Be it to me according to your word. Here you have her submission; you see her desire. Behold, the handmaid of the Lord signifies her readiness for duty; Be it to me according to your word expresses the conception of her desire.

Greek Expositors: Some will highly praise one thing, and some another, in these words of the virgin. One person, for example, will praise her steadfastness; another, her willing obedience; another, her not being tempted by the great and glorious promises of the archangel; and another, her self-command in not giving an instant assent, thereby avoiding both the carelessness of Eve and the disobedience of Zacharias. But to me, the depth of her humility is no less worthy of admiration.

St. Gregory the Great: Through an ineffable mystery of a holy conception and an inviolable birth, in keeping with the truth of each nature, the same virgin was both the handmaid and mother of the Lord.

The Venerable Bede: Having received the virgin's consent, the angel soon returned to heaven, as the Scripture says, And the angel departed from her.

Eusebius of Caesarea: Not only having obtained what he wished, but marveling at her virginal beauty and the maturity of her virtue.