King James Bible
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."
Mary identifies herself as God's servant, using 'handmaid' (doulos in Greek) to express complete submission and availability. This response to Gabriel's announcement demonstrates remarkable humility and faith, especially given the social risks of unwed pregnancy in first-century Jewish culture. Mary consents to God's plan without conditions or further questions, accepting the angel's message as divine will. Her surrender echoes the biblical pattern of faithful obedience seen in figures like Abraham and Samuel, marking her as the model disciple. Gabriel's departure signals the completion of the annunciation and the beginning of the incarnation narrative. The simple statement emphasizes that Mary is now alone with her extraordinary calling, left to ponder and carry out her world-changing role.