[Footnote b: It is certain that Luke tells the infancy stories from the standpoint of Mary while Matthew writes from the standpoint of Joseph. Matthew gives the public account while Luke tells the private story from Mary herself (Ramsay, _Was Christ Born at Bethlehem?_ p. 79). Luke could have seen Mary, if still alive, or could have obtained it from one of Mary's circle either orally or in manuscript form. Some scholars even suggest "Gospel of Mary" and even, "Gospel of the Baptist" as a written source for Luke in 1:5-2:52. Sanday (_The Life of Christ in Recent Research_, p. 166) says: "These two chapters--whatever the date at which they were first committed to writing--are essentially the most archaic thing in the whole New Testament." Certainly Luke reveals the use of Aramaic or Hebrew sources by the sudden changes in his style from 1:1-4. Luke, if familiar with the current account as seen in Matthew, apparently felt that he owed it to Mary to record her story of her great experience.] § 5. THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS Nazareth. Probably B.C. 7 or 6 Luke 1:26-38 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a 27 city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's 28 name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that 29 art [1]highly favoured, the Lord _is_ with thee.[2] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner 30 of salutation this might be. And the angel said unto her, Fear 31 not, Mary: for thou hast found [3]favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt 32 call his name JESUS [_see Isa. 7:14_]. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David [_see 2 Sam. 33 7:12-17_]: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob [4]for ever; 34 and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said unto the 35 angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also [5]that which [6]is to be born [7]shall be called holy [_see 36 Ex. 13:12_], the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the 37 sixth month with her that [8]was called barren. For no word from 38 God shall be void of power [_see Gen. 18:14_]. And Mary said, Behold, the [9]handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. [Footnote 1: Or, _endued with grace_.] [Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities add _blessed_ art _thou among women_. (See ver. 42.)] [Footnote 3: Or, _grace_.] [Footnote 4: Gr. _unto the ages_.]