Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38 KJV
- Luke 1:27 KJV
The virgin birth of Jesus is extremely important. The virgin birth was first prophesied in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14, which was later quoted in Matthew 1:23 as, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
Luke 1:26-38 beautifully lays out the communication from God, through Gabriel, to Mary of the coming conception and virgin birth of Jesus. Once she conceived, Matthew 1:24-25 KJV tells us that Joseph kept Mary a virgin until Jesus was born. "[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: [25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
The gospel writers are careful in their wording to avoid conflicts with the doctrine of the virgin birth. Matthew avoids calling Joseph the father of Jesus; rather, he states in Matthew 1:16 KJV, “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Once in Luke 2:48 KJV Mary refers to Joseph as "...thy father.." (note the lower-case "f" in father), but as a subtle correction Jesus explains his absence in Luke 2:49b KJV by saying "...I must be about my Father's business" (note the upper-case "F" in Father).
While Mary was Jesus' human mother, He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Ghost. "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:18 KJV). Also, "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:20)
The virgin birth is important because it highlights the truth that Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time. The virgin birth was the means that “...the Word was made flesh” (John 1:14). In this incarnation the eternal Son of God took on human flesh, without losing any of His divine nature, and He added a human nature. He received from Mary His physical body as her biological child. But His eternal holy nature was His from all eternity as God.
