1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Gabriel’s statement is a response to Mary’s perplexity over the greeting.
2 sn Do not be afraid. See 1:13 for a similar statement to Zechariah.
3 tn Or “grace.”
4 tn Grk “And Mary.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
5 tn Grk “have not known.” The expression in the Greek text is a euphemism for sexual relations. Mary seems to have sensed that the declaration had an element of immediacy to it that excluded Joseph. Many modern translations render this phrase “since I am a virgin,” but the Greek word for virgin is not used in the text, and the euphemistic expression is really more explicit, referring specifically to sexual relations.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:11.
9 tn Or “stood in front of.”
10 tn Grk “they feared a great fear” (a Semitic idiom which intensifies the main idea, in this case their fear).
10 tn Grk “And suddenly.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
11 tn Grk “a multitude of the armies of heaven.”
13 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
14 tn Grk “sent messengers before his face,” an idiom.
15 tn Grk “And going along, they entered.” The aorist passive participle πορευθέντες (poreuqente") has been taken temporally. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
16 tn Or “to prepare (things) for him.”
16 sn The whole of heaven is said to rejoice. Joy in the presence of God’s angels is a way of referring to God’s joy as well without having to name him explicitly. Contemporary Judaism tended to refer to God indirectly where possible out of reverence or respect for the divine name.