Luke 1:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

"How can this be," asked Miryam of the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G1161} said^{G2036} Mary^{G3137} unto^{G4314} the angel^{G32}, How^{G4459} shall^{G2071} this^{G5124} be^{G2071}, seeing^{G1893} I know^{G1097} not^{G3756} a man^{G435}?

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Commentary for Luke 1:34

Luke 1:34 is part of the narrative in the Gospel of Luke that describes the Annunciation, the moment when the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary to announce that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High. The verse captures Mary's response to this astounding news. Living in a culture where a woman's identity and social standing were deeply tied to her role within the family, and given her betrothal to Joseph, Mary's question reflects both her humility and her perplexity at the angel's message.

The historical context of this verse is set in the period of Second Temple Judaism, under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Jewish people were anticipating the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, and purity laws were stringently observed. Mary's virginity was a key aspect of the Christian narrative, as it fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which speaks of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son.

The themes present in this verse include the miracle of divine intervention, the mystery of the Incarnation, and the importance of faith and trust in God's plan. Mary's inquiry, "How shall this be...?" demonstrates a seeking for understanding while also expressing her readiness to submit to God's will, as evidenced by her subsequent declaration, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). This moment of questioning and acceptance underscores the central Christian tenet of the virgin birth and sets the stage for the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Mary's role as the Theotokos, or "God-bearer," becomes a cornerstone of Christian Mariology, emphasizing her obedience and the significance of her maternal role in salvation history.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3137
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Μαρία
   Transliteration: María
   Pronunciation: mar-ee-am'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (מִרְיָם); Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females:-- Mary.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
5. Strong's Number: G32
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄγγελος
   Transliteration: ángelos
   Pronunciation: ang'-el-os
   Description: from (probably derived from ἄγω; compare ἀγέλη) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4459
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πῶς
   Transliteration: pōs
   Pronunciation: poce
   Description: adverb from the base of ποῦ; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English).
   
7. Strong's Number: G2071
   There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔσομαι
   Transliteration: ésomai
   Pronunciation: es'-om-ahee
   Description: future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1893
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπεί
   Transliteration: epeí
   Pronunciation: ep-i'
   Description: from ἐπί and εἰ; thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause):--because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1097
    There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γινώσκω
    Transliteration: ginṓskō
    Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
12. Strong's Number: G435
    There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνήρ
    Transliteration: anḗr
    Pronunciation: an'-ayr
    Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.