Luke 1:35
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 1:35
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Chapter Context
Luke 1 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of judgment, creation, redemption. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-80: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 1:35
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Analysis
Gabriel explains the mechanism of virgin conception: 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee' (πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σέ, καὶ δύναμις ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι). The verb 'episkiazō' (ἐπισκιάζω, 'overshadow') recalls the cloud of God's glory overshadowing the tabernacle (Exodus 40:35), suggesting the new creation parallels the original creation when God's Spirit hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2). The conclusion 'therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God' establishes Jesus' divine sonship not through adoption but through supernatural conception. This virgin birth is essential to Christology—Jesus must be fully human (Mary's son) yet without inherited sin nature, and fully divine (conceived by the Spirit).
Historical Context
Virgin birth was not a concept borrowed from pagan mythology, as critics claim. Greco-Roman myths involved physical union between gods and humans—completely different from Luke's account of creative divine action without sexual contact. Isaiah 7:14's 'almah' (עַלְמָה, young woman) was translated 'parthenos' (παρθένος, virgin) in the Septuagint, establishing prophetic precedent. Early Christian preaching (Acts 13:33, Romans 1:3-4) affirmed Jesus' divine sonship while emphasizing Davidic descent.
Reflection
- Why is the virgin birth theologically necessary for the incarnation and for Christ's sinlessness?
- How does the Spirit's creative work in Mary's womb connect to the Spirit's work in regeneration (John 3:5-8)?
Word Studies
- Holy: ἅγιος (Hagios) G40 - Holy, sacred, set apart
Cross-References
- References God: Matthew 27:54, John 1:34, 1:49
- Holy: Matthew 1:18, 1:20, Mark 1:24, Romans 1:4
- Parallel theme: Luke 1:27, Acts 8:36, Hebrews 4:15