This translation is from the New Jerusalem Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations.
Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. It is provided beneath the specific reading the words are in.
Links to other posts considering the scriptures comprising or related to each mystery are provided after each mystery/the information on the key Greek or Hebrew words.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
angel = ἄγγελος = angelos Blue Letter Bible a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God; one of that host of heavenly spirits that, according alike to Jewish and Christian opinion, wait upon the monarch of the universe, and are sent by him to earth, now to execute his purposes; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon messenger, envoy; one that announces or tells; semi-divine being
Gabriel (from Hebrew) = גַּבְרִיאֵל = gaḇrî'ēl Blue Letter Bible "warrior of God" or "man of God"; an archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary
sent = ἀποστέλλω = apostellō Blue Letter Bible to order (one) to go to a place appointed; to send away; to send forth; set apart; to send out (properly, on a mission); sent with commissions, or things intended for someone
virgin = παρθένος = parthenos Blue Letter Bible one's marriageable daughter; a maiden, a marriageable maiden; virgin, a woman who has never had sexual intercourse with a man; metaphorically of chaste persons; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon maiden, girl; virgin; chaste; pupil; William J. Slater, Lexicon to Pindar unmarried girl
betrothed = μνηστεύω = mnēsteuō Blue Letter Bible to be promised in marriage, to be betrothed; to woo her and ask her in marriage; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon court, seek in marriage, woo and win, court for oneself, espouse; sue, canvass for a thing; promise in marriage, betroth
man = ἀνήρ = anēr Blue Letter Bible a man, an adult male; to distinguish an adult man from a boy
Joseph = Ἰωσήφ = iōsēph Blue Letter Bible let him add
Joseph (From Hebrew) = יוֹסֵף = yôsēp̄ Blue Letter Bible Jehovah has added
house of = οἶκος = oikos Blue Letter Bible family; the members of a household or family; stock, family, descendants of one; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon a reigning house; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon (alternate meaning) to be like, look like; considered like; to be analogous to; beseem, befit; seeming like, like
David (from Hebrew) = דָּוִד = dāviḏ Blue Letter Bible beloved
Mary = Μαρία = maria Blue Letter Bible their rebellion; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon a stone that takes fire when water is poured on it
Mary (from Hebrew) = מִרְיָם = miryām Blue Letter Bible rebellion
This scripture is also considered at What We Can Learn from Jesus' Nativity: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
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Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. 40She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
set out = ἀνίστημι = anistēmi Blue Letter Bible to stand up or to make to stand up; lifted; to cause to rise up, raise up; appear, stand forth; leap up, spring up, start up; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make to stand up, raise up; rouse to action, stir up; rise up, rear itself; set out
went = πορεύω = poreuō Blue Letter Bible to go on one's way, to depart from one place to another; to traverse; to lead oneself across; to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey; to depart from life; to follow one, that is: become his adherent; to lead or order one's life; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make to go, carry, convey; bring, carry; to be driven or carried; go, walk, march; proceed at law; go on one's way, i.e. die
quickly = σπουδή = spoudē Blue Letter Bible haste, zeal, diligence; earnest care, carefulness; watchful interest; carefulness; striving after anything; dispatch; earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon with all dispatch; zeal, pains, trouble, effort; zealously, zealous exertions; to be eager, eagerness for; with great attention to,attentively; seriously, urgently
hill country = ὀρεινός = oreinos Blue Letter Bible mountainous, hilly; the mountain district, hill country; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon mountainous, hilly; hill-country; of or from the mountains, dwelling on the mountains; belonging to the edge of the desert
Judah = Ἰούδας = ioudas Blue Letter Bible "he shall be praised"
Judah (Hebrew) = יְהוּדָה = yᵊhûḏâ Blue Letter Bible praised, celebrated
entered = εἰσέρχομαι = eiserchomai. Blue Letter Bible to come into; entrance into any condition, state of things; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon go in or into; enter the ranks of; to be brought in; come into one's mind
greeted = ἀσπάζομαι = aspazomai Blue Letter Bible to draw to oneself; to greet, salute, welcome; bid welcome, wish well to; generally made by embracing and kissing; to receive joyfully, welcome; pay respects to a distinguished person; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon welcome kindly, greet; received with great joy; to hail or salute; follow eagerly, cleave to; be glad, be ready to
heard = ἀκούω = akouō Blue Letter Bible harken to; to attend to, consider what is or has been said; to understand, perceive the sense of what is said; to give ear to a teaching or a teacher; to comprehend; to perceive anyone's voice; to yield to, hear and obey; have regard to; to perceive the distinct words of a voice; to yield obedience to the voice; to perceive in the soul; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon hearken, give ear; listen to; obey; hear and understand
greeting = ἀσπασμός = aspasmos Blue Letter Bible salutation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon greeting, embrace; salutation; affection
child = βρέφος = brephos Blue Letter Bible an unborn child, embryo, a foetus; a new-born child, an infant, a babe; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon babe in the womb, foetus; new-born babe; foal, whelp, cub, etc..; nestling
lept = σκιρτάω = skirtaō Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon spring, leap, bound
filled = πίμπλημι =pimplēmi Blue Letter Bible to fulfill, to be fulfilled, to complete, carry out to the full; what wholly takes possession of the mind; to complete, fill up; wholly take possession of; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon fill full, satisfy, glut
cry = ἀναφωνέω = anaphōneō Blue Letter Bible to cry out with a loud voice, call aloud, exclaim; speak out; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon call aloud, shout; proclaim, decree
loud = μέγας = megas. Blue Letter Bible high, mighty; persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power; things esteemed highly for their importance: of great moment, of great weight, importance; things to be esteemed highly for their importance; a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence: excellent; splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately; God's preeminent blessings; strong; large; used of intensity and its degrees; distinguished; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon mighty; strong; of great importance; impressive; big; full grown; vast, high; very much, exceedingly
blessed = εὐλογέω = eulogeō. Blue Letter Bible to speak well of; to praise, to celebrate with praises; "to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on; favoured of God; speak well of; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon speak well of, praise, honour
fruit = καρπός = karpos Blue Letter Bible that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism; the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly; advantage, profit; sanctification; that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result; work, act, deed; utility; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the fruits of the earth, corn, harvest, produce; taxes paid in kind; returns, profits; reward
This scripture is also considered at What We Can Learn from Jesus' Nativity: The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
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Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world. 2This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, 3and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, 5in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.
set out = ἀναβαίνω = anabainō Blue Letter Bible to go up, to ascend; climbing up; to come upon, to arrive in a place; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon go up, mount; embark; Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary go up, ascend (to); goes abroad among’ men; embark
wrapped him in swaddling clothes = σπαργανόω = sparganoō Blue Letter Bible to swathe; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon wrap in, swathe
manger = φάτνη = phatnē Blue Letter Bible stall; manger; crib; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon manger, crib
living space = κατάλυμα = katalyma Blue Letter Bible guest space; an inn, lodging-place; from καταλύω (put up for the night,[where] the straps and packs of the beasts of burden are unbound and taken off; or, more correctly from the fact that the travelers’ garments, tied up when he is on the journey, are unloosed); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon lodging, billet, provision of quarters
This scripture is also considered at What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Nativity: Mary and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem and Jesus’ Birth There (Luke 2:1-7)
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When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception. 22And when the day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord- 23observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord- 24and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Jesus = Ἰησοῦς = iēsous Blue Letter Bible Jehovah is salvation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Joshua
Jesus (from Hebrew) = יְהוֹשׁוּעַ = yᵊhôšûaʿ Blue Letter Bible Jehovah is salvation; whose help or salvation is Jehovah; also rendered Joshua
angel = ἄγγελος = angelos Blue Letter Bible a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God; one of that host of heavenly spirits that, according alike to Jewish and Christian opinion, wait upon the monarch of the universe, and are sent by him to earth, now to execute his purposes; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon messenger, envoy; one that announces or tells; semi-divine being
purification = καθαρισμός = katharismos Blue Letter Bible cleansing; purification, a ritual purgation or washing; purge, expiation; a cleansing from the guilt of sins; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon (from καθαρμός) cleansing, purification, from guilt; purificatory offering, atonement, expiation; purificatory rite; purging, evacuation, discharge
present = παρίστημι = paristēmi Blue Letter Bible to stand by or near, to be at hand; set before; to offer; to place beside, present; to proffer; to provide; to place a person or thing at one's disposal; to bring to or near; to stand by to help, to succor; to stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present; to be at hand, stand ready; to be at hand for service; commend; yield; to bring into one's fellowship or intimacy; to be present; to have come; to show or prove, to present (show) by argument; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon cause to stand, place beside; set one near a thing to guard it; set before the mind, present; dispose a person; present, offer; set side by side, compare; of a painter's model; stand by, i.e. help, defend; to come; to be near, be at hand; come to the side of another, come over to his opinion; to be passionately devoted to; set by one's side, bring forward, produce; produce as witness; dispose for one's own views or purposes
consecrated = καλέω = kaleō. Blue Letter Bible call, bid, invite; summon; to call aloud, utter in a loud voice; to call i.e. to name, by name; to salute one by name; to call out, call forth from; to cause to pass from one state into another; to be called i. e. to bear a name or title; to be acknowledged, pass as; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon call, summon; invoke; call by name, name; to be called
AND
holy = ἅγιος = hagios Blue Letter Bible fundamentally signifies "separated" (among the Greeks, dedicated to the gods), and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred; most holy thing, a saint; sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated); reverend, worthy of veneration; things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence; set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively his; prepared for God; pure, sinless, upright, holy; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon devoted to the gods; sacred, holy; pure; R. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament Its fundamental idea is separation, and, so to speak, consecration and devotion to the service of Deity
consecrated (Hebrew from Exodus 13:2) = קָדַשׁ = qāḏaš Blue Letter Bible to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate; to be set apart; to be hallowed; be treated as sacred; to set apart, devote; appoint; prepare; be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use; be pure, clean
offer = δίδωμι = didōmi Blue Letter Bible bestow, the implied idea being that of giving freely; grant; offer; yield, produce; to supply, furnish, necessary things; to furnish, endue; to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self; minister; to give one to someone to care for his interests; give up for; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon give freely, to be ready to give, offer; provide well for
sacrifice = θυσία = thysia Blue Letter Bible the act of offering; offering up; a sacrifice, victim; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon sacrifice; victim, offering
This scripture and closely related scriptures are considered at:
- What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Nativity: Simeon Blesses Mary (Luke 2:25-35)
- What We Can Learn from Jesus' Nativity: Anna Ratifies Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
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Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. 43When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. 44They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. 45When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. 46It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; 47and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.
Every = κατά = kata Blue Letter Bible down from; through out; according to, after the manner; toward; along; from top to bottom; thoroughly; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in accordance with; corresponding with, after the fashion of
go = πορεύω = poreuō Blue Letter Bible to go on one's way, to depart from one place to another; to traverse; to lead oneself across; to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey; to depart from life; to follow one, that is: become his adherent; to lead or order one's life; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make to go, carry, convey; bring, carry; to be driven or carried; go, walk, march; proceed at law; go on one's way, i.e. die
went up = ἀναβαίνω = anabainō Blue Letter Bible to go up, to ascend; climbing up; to come upon, to arrive in a place; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon go up, mount; embark; Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary go up, ascend (to); goes abroad among’ men; embark
as usual—see “Every” above
looking = ἀναζητέω = anazēteō Blue Letter Bible to seek carefully with difficulty in the effort being implied; to seek out, search through, make diligent search; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon search out, discover; investigate
found = εὑρίσκω = heyriskō Blue Letter Bible to find, either with previous search or without; to find out by enquiry, or to learn, discover; to find for oneself, to procure, get, obtain, with the suggestion of accomplishing the end which had been in view; to come upon, hit upon, to meet with; get, obtain, perceive, see; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon find out, discover; devise, invent; get, gain; bring about, acquire; fetch
sitting = καθέζομαι = kathezomai Blue Letter Bible to sit down, seat one's self, sit; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon sit down, take one's seat; sit down in, occupy, encamp; remain seated; sit still; sit as suppliants; sit for one's portrait
among = μέσος = mesos Blue Letter Bible middle; in the midst of, amongst; between; in contact; in the space within; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in the middle; midmost, central, of three or more objects; midst, intervening space; between
teachers = διδάσκαλος = didaskalos Blue Letter Bible doctor; teacher; master; rabbi; one who is fitted to teach; instructor; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon teacher; master; trainer
listening = ἀκούω = akouō Blue Letter Bible harken to; to attend to, consider what is or has been said; to understand, perceive the sense of what is said; to give ear to a teaching or a teacher; to comprehend; to perceive anyone's voice; to yield to, hear and obey; have regard to; to perceive the distinct words of a voice; to yield obedience to the voice; to perceive in the soul; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon hearken, give ear; listen to; obey; hear and understand
asking them questions = ἐπερωτάω = eperōtaō Blue Letter Bible more intensive character of the "asking," it virtually signifies to demand; to accost one with an enquiry, put a question to, enquiry of, ask, interrogate; demand, desire, question; to consult God; to seek to know God's purpose and to do his will; to address one with a request or demand; to ask of or demand of one Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon consult, inquire of; put a question; ask a further question
heard—see “listening” above
astounded = ἐξίστημι = existēmi Blue Letter Bible to put out of position, displace; to throw out of position, displace; to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment; become astounded; be beside self (selves); to be out of one's mind, besides one's self, insane; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon displace; change, alter utterly; drive one out of his senses, confound, amaze; divert attention; excite; arise out of, become separated; stand aside from; make way for; displaced, disordered; shrink from, shun; go out of joint
intelligence = σύνεσις = synesis Blue Letter Bible understanding; prudence; quickness of apprehension; penetrating consideration; knowledge, understanding; a running together; a mental putting together; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon faculty of quick comprehension, mother-wit, sagacity; knowledge; union nse
replies = ἀπόκρισις = apokrisis Blue Letter Bible a replying, an answer; response; a separation or distinction; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon a separating; an answer
This scripture is considered at What We Can Learn from Jesus' Childhood/Adolescence (Luke 2:39-52)
