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titles and descriptions for the One soon Otherwise, she would not have asked
to be in Mary’s womb. He is to be named this question. Notice also that, unlike
“Jesus,” which means Savior. While John Zacharias (v18), she did not ask for a sign.
was called “great in the sight of the Lord” Mary was asking for clarification, not con-
(v15), the One Mary would bring forth firmation. And who can blame her? This
is simply “great.” He is the “Son of the is interesting biology indeed!
Most High” (ESV), clearly indicating He So, Gabriel went on to explain the inex-
is God’s Son. Being David’s ancestor, He plicable: “The Holy Spirit will come upon
will sit upon the throne of David, reigning you, and the power of the Most High will
over a kingdom that will never end. overshadow you; therefore the child to be
At this time in Israel there was no born will be called holy – the Son of God”
3
reigning king. There had not been one for (v35 ESV). The word for “overshadow” is
nearly six centuries. The people of Israel used in the Greek translation of the Old
had been under Babylonian rule, Persian Testament to describe God’s presence
rule, Syrian rule and now Roman rule. in the sanctuary. It is used in the New
But ancient promises were about to find Testament for God’s presence at Christ’s
their fulfillment in the child Mary would transfiguration, where the cloud of glory
soon deliver. No amount of time can erase overshadowed the Lord and His disciples
God’s promises. (Mat 17:5; Mar 9:7; Luk 9:34). Thus, the
We will see later in this chapter from Holy Spirit would overshadow Mary, act-
Mary’s song of praise that she was very ing with creative power to produce human
familiar with the Scriptures, being able life in her womb. It may have happened
to quote quite a few from memory. And shortly after Gabriel’s appearance to her,
listening to Gabriel’s words about reign but we cannot be sure. What is certain,
in the forecast, her mind would go back however, is that Joseph was not involved.
to 2 Samuel 7 and the covenant the Lord God’s Son would be born of a virgin.
made with David. She would also recall Gabriel’s words about this overshad-
2
Daniel 7, where the coming Messiah was owing may not fully satisfy our curiosity.
promised a “kingdom which shall not be Our imaginations are likely to get us into
destroyed … an everlasting kingdom” trouble. There is mystery here, but we
(vv14,27). Mary would expect the promise must be content with what Scripture says
made to David to find fulfillment by the and accept it by faith. After all, Mary did.
son in her womb. But she did have a very Sign Language (1:36-37)
important question.
Although Mary did not ask for a sign,
Explaining the Inexplicable Gabriel gave her one anyway for en-
(1:34-35) couragement. “And, behold, thy cousin
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son
in her old age: and this is the sixth month
shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” with her, who was called barren” (v36).
(v34). Notice that Mary assumed this If a barren womb could give birth, why
promise of a son to be fulfilled right away.
3 Notice that the child will be “called” the Son of
2 Luke emphasizes Christ’s Davidic descent God. He did not become the Son. Christ is the
(1:27,32,69; 2:4,11; 3:31; Acts 2:29ff.; 13:34ff.). Eternal Son.

244 TRUTH kTidings August 2025