What Does Luke 1:28 Mean in the King James?

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:28 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The greeting names favor as already resting on Mary before it explains what comes next.

THE MEANING

You meet Mary first as one who has received favor: the greeting names her as favored, then names the Lord’s nearness and blessing. Favor, presence, and blessing arrive together, so favor is more than approval, it is a life addressed by presence and good words.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that you must prove your worth before favor can be named loosens here: Mary is called favored before the announcement unfolds.

THE ROOT

κεχαριτωμένη

kecharitōmenē

GROWS FROM

χαρι-

chari-

Favor; gracious benefit freely given.

“highly favoured” in this verse is kecharitōmenē. This perfect participle presents Mary as standing in a state of received favor. Its word family also names favor itself and the act of granting it, keeping the greeting’s emphasis on what she receives.

ALSO GROWS

charis: Favor, gracious favor.

χάρις

This is the noun for favor in the same word family, making explicit the root behind the greeting’s description of Mary.

charizomai: To grant freely, give graciously.

χαρίζομαι

This verb shows the same family describing favor as something actively bestowed.

εὐλογημένη

eulogēmenē

GROWS FROM

εὐλογ-

eulog-

To speak well of; to bless.

“blessed” in this verse is eulogēmenē. The word carries the sense of blessing as well-speaking: a good word is spoken over Mary. The verse joins this spoken blessing to favor and the Lord’s nearness.

ALSO GROWS

eulogeō: To bless, speak well of.

εὐλογέω

The verb shows the action within the word family: blessing is spoken.

eulogia: Blessing, praise.

εὐλογία

This noun names the blessing that the greeting speaks over Mary.

ἄγγελος

angelos

GROWS FROM

ἀγγελ-

angel-

Messenger; one who announces.

“angel” in this verse is angelos. The root keeps attention on the messenger’s role: what arrives is an announcement. Here the announcement itself names Mary as favored, speaks of the Lord’s presence, and blesses her.

ALSO GROWS

angellō: To announce, report.

ἀγγέλλω

This verb makes the messenger’s root visible in the act of bringing news.

angelia: Message, announcement.

ἀγγελία

This noun names what the messenger carries: a message that gives Mary a new way to hear her own state.

THE PATTERN

Favor is received and made visible through presence and blessing.

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:21 · KJVThe verse joins the LORD’s presence with favor given, as Luke’s greeting does.

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 5:12 · KJVFavor and blessing meet again, here pictured as surrounding protection.

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:6 · KJVThe Greek verb behind “made us accepted” belongs to the same charis family as “highly favoured,” describing favor as bestowed.

THE THREAD

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:30 · KJV

The Greek ⁨χάριν⁩ (charin), meaning favor, belongs to the same ⁨χάρι-⁩ (chari-) word family as “highly favoured” in verse 28. The next line names that favor directly: Mary is described as favored, then as having found favor with God.

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