King James Version

What Does Luke 1:35 Mean?

Luke 1:35 in the King James Version says “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall oversh... — study this verse from Luke chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 1:35 · KJV


Context

33

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

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.

36

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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).

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. Why is the virgin birth theologically necessary for the incarnation and for Christ's sinlessness?
  2. How does the Spirit's creative work in Mary's womb connect to the Spirit's work in regeneration (John 3:5-8)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκριθεὶς2 of 26

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄγγελος4 of 26

the angel

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

εἶπεν5 of 26

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῇ6 of 26

unto her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Πνεῦμα7 of 26

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἅγιον8 of 26

The Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

ἐπελεύσεται9 of 26

shall come

G1904

to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence

ἐπὶ10 of 26

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

σέ11 of 26

thee

G4571

thee

καὶ12 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δύναμις13 of 26

the power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

ὑψίστου14 of 26

of the Highest

G5310

highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens

ἐπισκιάσει15 of 26

shall overshadow

G1982

to cast a shade upon, i.e., (by analogy) to envelop in a haze of brilliancy; figuratively, to invest with preternatural influence

σοι·16 of 26

thee

G4671

to thee

διὸ17 of 26

therefore

G1352

through which thing, i.e., consequently

καὶ18 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γεννώμενον20 of 26

which shall be born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἐκ21 of 26

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

σοῦ22 of 26
G4771

thou

ἅγιον23 of 26

The Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

κληθήσεται24 of 26

shall be called

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

υἱὸς25 of 26

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

θεοῦ26 of 26

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 1:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 1:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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