meetBible › Old and New Testament

Gabriel

The angel who stands in the presence of God, sent with the news that Jesus would be born.

Old and New Testament · Daniel’s day to the 1st century · Daniel, Luke · Also known as The angel Gabriel

About Gabriel

Gabriel is one of only two holy angels named in the Bible. He came to Daniel to explain his visions: "Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision," and later "being caused to fly swiftly," he told Daniel, "thou art greatly beloved." Centuries later he appeared to the priest Zechariah in the temple: "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." Six months after that, "the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth," to a young woman named Mary: "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee." He told her she would bear a son, "and shalt call his name JESUS," for "with God nothing shall be impossible."

This guide speaks about Gabriel, not as him. The only other holy angel named in the Bible is Michael, called "the archangel." Scripture doesn’t call Gabriel an archangel, though Christian tradition often does. His name is usually taken to mean "God is my strength" or "man of God."

The story

Make this man to understand

When Daniel saw a vision he could not understand, "there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision."

Daniel 8:15-17

Caused to fly swiftly

While Daniel was praying, "the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation." "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved."

Daniel 9:20-23

I am Gabriel

An angel appeared to the priest Zechariah in the temple and promised him a son, John. When Zechariah doubted, "the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." Zechariah could not speak until the promise came true.

Luke 1:11-20

Hail, thou that art highly favoured

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph." "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." She would bear a son and "call his name JESUS," for "with God nothing shall be impossible."

Luke 1:26-38

Key moments

Questions about Gabriel

Is Gabriel an archangel?

Scripture calls only Michael "the archangel." Gabriel describes himself as one "that stand in the presence of God," a place of great honour, and Christian tradition often calls him an archangel too. But the Bible itself doesn’t give him that title.

Does Gabriel have wings?

Scripture doesn’t describe wings on Gabriel. Daniel saw him "as the appearance of a man," and says he came "being caused to fly swiftly." Wings are given to other heavenly beings, like the seraphim in Isaiah 6. The artists who painted Gabriel with wings were drawing on that tradition, not on a description of him.

What messages did Gabriel bring?

He explained Daniel’s visions of kingdoms and of the "seventy weeks." He told Zechariah, "thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." And he told Mary she would bear "the Son of the Highest," whose kingdom "there shall be no end." Every time, his message pointed forward to what God was going to do.

Connected people

Read it yourself

Start with Luke 1:11-38.

Play Who am I? · See the big picture · Meet more people