The angel Gabriel – who is he?

from the old testament

• Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). Daniel heard God give instructions to the angel Gabriel. In this case, Gabriel was not told to deliver a message, per se, but to "make [Daniel] understand the vision" he had been given (Daniel 8:16). When Gabriel approached, Daniel was so terrified and overwhelmed by the angel's presence that he fell on his face and went into a deep sleep (Daniel 8:17–18). Gabriel woke Daniel from his sleep and made him stand, and then said: "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end" (Daniel 8:19). After the angel Gabriel told Daniel the interpretation of the vision and to seal it up, Daniel was "overcome and lay sick for some days." The then resumed his duties to the king, but he was "appalled by the vision and did not understand it" (Daniel 8:27).
• Later, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel again, this time to give him "insight and understanding" and to tell him about the times decreed for his people (Daniel 9:20–27). Gabriel also told Daniel he was greatly loved (Daniel 9:23).

from the new testament

• The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth, a relative of Mary's. He told Zechariah that despite their advanced years, he and Elizabeth would have a son. He said the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit "even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15). Gabriel was speaking of John the Baptist. When the angel appeared suddenly next to the altar of incense while Zechariah was serving in the temple, "Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him" (Luke 1:12).
• Zechariah asked how he would know that Gabriel’s message was true. The angel responded, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." Here we see that Gabriel stands in God’s presence and is sent with His authority.
• The angel Gabriel also came to Mary, saying: "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28). Mary was not frightened by Gabriel's appearance, though "she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be" (Luke 1:29). The angel Gabriel perceived her concern and told her not to be afraid. Then, he delivered his message. When Mary asked how the conception and birth would happen—because she was a virgin—Gabriel explained that the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). He also told her about Elizabeth’s conception of John, affirming that nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:36–37).
• The Bible describes that the angel Gabriel stands in the presence of God and is sometimes sent by God to deliver messages (Luke 1:19). This is apparently his function, though we do not know if it is his only function. The Bible doesn't say if there are any other messenger angels, or if this job is exclusively Gabriel's.

implications for today

Reflecting on the role of Gabriel in the Bible, we see a powerful reminder of how God communicates His plans and purposes. For instance, Gabriel's messages to Daniel were not just about foretelling future events but also about instilling hope and understanding during times of distress, revealing who God was and what He would do to provide this hope. In contrast, Gabriel's interactions with Zechariah and Mary were filled with comforting assurances and revelations of God’s redemptive work through the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Those messages also came with power and confirmation.

We must be listening to God's messages, whether He is speaking through His Word, circumstances, or others who are sharing truth. God sent Gabriel to bring clarity and hope in the midst of confusion and fear. God can still send angels today (Hebrews 1:14). But even better, we have the revelation of Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–4), the written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:8–15). The Holy Spirit indwells all who are in Christ, and He can give us wisdom and hope (John 14:16–17; 1 Corinthians 2:14–16; James 1:2–8). He helps us understand God's Word, live out His ways, and discern His will for our personal lives. We can and should seek God's guidance always, and particularly in our own moments of uncertainty (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5–6; Matthew 6:25–34; James 4:14–15). God's presence and grace sustains us in our own lives and gives us hope. We can take comfort in knowing that, like Mary, we are not alone in our journey, and that God’s Word is meant to guide, comfort, and transform us.