The time reference and the same angel connect this incident directly with what precedes (v. 24). Luke presented God as taking direct action not only here but throughout his Gospel and Acts. He may have generously called Nazareth a city (Gr. polis) to give it status in the eyes of his readers. It would have been unknown to almost everyone outside Palestine, so Luke described it as being in Galilee.44Gabriel now visited a small town in Galilee contrasted with the big city of Jerusalem in Judea where he had met Zechariah.45Because of Gentile influence the Galilean Jews were not as strict in their observance of the law and Pharisaic tradition as their southern brethren.46
Young Mary also contrasts with old Zechariah and Elizabeth. Her name, the equivalent of Miriam in the Old Testament, apparently meant "exalted one."47The Greek word parthenos("virgin") refers to a young, unmarried girl and implies virginity. It clearly means virgin here (cf. v. 34).48Betrothal often took place shortly after puberty.49Consequently Mary may have been a young teenager at this time. During betrothal a man and a woman were considered husband and wife even though they lived apart and did not have sexual relations.50Only divorce or death could terminate the betrothal, and from then on society considered them widow and or widower.
Luke identified Joseph as a descendant of David. He evidently considered Jesus a legitimate heir to David's throne by the right of adoption (cf. 3:23). Joseph adopted Jesus as his son, and Jesus thereby qualified to inherit as a legitimate son of Joseph. This fact has important bearing on the promise in verse 32b.
