What is the meaning of Luke 1:27? to a virgin Luke writes, “to a virgin” (Luke 1:27). • Luke is recording an historical fact: Mary had never had sexual relations. This literal virginity fulfills God’s promise hundreds of years earlier—“Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son” (Isaiah 7:14; echoed in Matthew 1:23). • The virgin birth safeguards the sinlessness of Jesus. Because He is conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) rather than by a human father, He is “holy, blameless, pure” (Hebrews 7:26). • Mary’s question a few verses later, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” (Luke 1:34), shows she understood exactly what Gabriel meant. pledged in marriage The phrase continues, “pledged in marriage.” • In first-century Jewish life, betrothal was more binding than modern engagement. It lasted about a year, and a legal divorce was required to dissolve it (Matthew 1:18-19). • During this period the bride still lived with her parents, maintaining sexual purity until the wedding celebration (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). • God arranged events so Mary was already committed to Joseph. This preserved her honor and provided Jesus with a legal father while keeping the miraculous conception clear. to a man named Joseph Mary was betrothed “to a man named Joseph.” • Joseph is introduced simply and humbly, yet Matthew calls him “a righteous man” (Matthew 1:19). He responds to God’s directions with steady obedience—taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:24), protecting the child in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), and bringing the family back to Nazareth (Luke 2:39). • By naming Jesus (Matthew 1:25), Joseph legally acknowledges Him as his son, granting Jesus legitimate standing within Israel’s community. who was of the house of David Joseph “was of the house of David.” • This ties Jesus to God’s covenant with David: “I will raise up your offspring after you… I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-16). • Prophets repeated the promise—Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5—and the New Testament confirms it: Jesus is “descended from David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3). • Because legal descent passed through the father, Joseph’s lineage secures Jesus’ rightful claim to the Davidic throne, even though His conception is divine. and the virgin’s name was Mary Finally, “And the virgin’s name was Mary.” • Luke emphasizes her virginity a second time, underscoring the miraculous nature of what follows. • Mary’s name means “beloved” or “favored,” which aligns with Gabriel’s greeting: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). • Her humble faith shines: “I am the Lord’s servant… May it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). She becomes a model of obedient trust (Luke 1:46-49). summary Every phrase of Luke 1:27 is loaded with purpose. Mary’s literal virginity fulfills prophecy and guarantees Jesus’ sinless humanity. Her betrothal to righteous Joseph provides protection and legal legitimacy. Joseph’s Davidic lineage anchors Jesus in the royal line, validating Him as the promised King. Mary herself embodies humble, faithful submission to God’s plan. Together, these details reveal God’s sovereign orchestration to bring His Messiah into the world exactly as Scripture foretold. |
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