Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 1:28

"And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord [is] with thee." — Luke 1:28 (ASV)

Here Luke establishes another contrast with the preceding narrative, for Zechariah had received no such greeting as Mary did. Mary is “highly favored” because she is the recipient of God’s grace (cf. Ephesians 1:6). Mary has “found favor with God” (v.30), and she can therefore say, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (v.47).

“The Lord is with you” recalls the way the angel of the Lord addressed Gideon to assure him of God’s help in the assignment he was about to receive .