Luke 1:28-29
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

In spite of the angel’s friendly entrance, Mary was startled and his words caused her to be concerned. She “wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” The word used here is a common verb for “reckoning up different reasons” (ATR). She was both upset and puzzled.

She knew she was a young woman of humble social position, (48, 52), and therefore she did not understand how it was possible for her to be addressed in such grand terms.

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he called her a favored woman. She was favored because she would be a special recipient of God’s grace. The phrase the Lord was “with” Mary indicates God would give her His help in the privilege and responsibility she was about to receive.

Zechariah had been terrified at Gabriel’s very appearance (1:12), Mary was more fearful at the words Gabriel spoke.

This young woman from a small town was confused and disturbed as to why someone would greet her in such a way.

She was confused by the words he spoke! Why would she be singled out by the Lord as the object of special favor? The idea shocked her.

Psalm 138:6, is appropriate here, “For though Jehovah is high, he has regard for the lowly”?

Also Isaiah 57:15, “For this is what the high and lofty One says– he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

What does Mary’s response to Gabriel tell us about her?

What does Mary’s response to Gabriel tell us about the kind of people through whom God choses to work?