Review article
The Annunciation to Mary in Luke's theological vision (Lk 1:26-38)
Mato Zovkić
; University of Sarajevo - Catholic Theological Faculty in Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
The author assumes with other New Testament scholars that Luke found in material adopted from the early Christian community (oral or written, cf. Lk 1:1-2) belief in the virginal conception of Jesus as the Messianic son of God, in a higher sense than with regard to Old Testament prophets or other faithful individuals. In Luke’s account of the Annunciation to Mary exegetes see the Old Testament pattern of the birth announcement of a male child with a special mission from God, such as Isaac, Samson and others. The Virgin Mary is to become the mother of the Davidic Messiah and the Son of God. Virginal conception is a sign of the total dedication of Mary’s son to God because as universal Savior he will enact God’s kingdom through his words and deeds. The author connects Mary’s consent in Verse 38 with the blessing directed to Jesus’ mother during his ministry (Lk 11:27-28) and Luke’s brief note on Mary’s active presence in the early Church (Acts 1:14). This indicates that she was transformed from being the physical mother of Jesus into a spiritual disciple of her son, supporting him on his journey to Jerusalem where he had to face a violent death. From Luke’s account of the Annunciation to Mary the later Church magisterium developed dogmas on Mary’s virginity and divine motherhood.
Keywords
model of birth announcement; virginal conception; Davidic Messiah and God’s Son; Mary’s consent; transformation of Mary from bodily mother into disciple of Jesus; faith of early Christian community
Hrčak ID:
272207
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2012.
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