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34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”[a] 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.(A) 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived[b] a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”(B) 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:34 Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child (Lk 1:35). According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God.
  2. 1:36–37 The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God.

34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[a] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[b] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:34 Gk I do not know a man
  2. Luke 1:35 Other ancient authorities add of you

34 Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. 36 Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. 37 (A)For there is nothing that God cannot do.”

38 “I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

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34 But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I [a]am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “(A)The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of (B)the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also (C)the [b]holy Child will be called (D)the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and [c]she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month. 37 For (E)nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:34 Lit do not know a man
  2. Luke 1:35 Lit the holy one fathered
  3. Luke 1:36 Lit this is the sixth month for her who

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,(A) and the power of the Most High(B) will overshadow you. So the holy one(C) to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.(D) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child(E) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(F)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,