Luke 1:31

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, thou shalt conceive {G4815} in {G1722} thy womb {G1064}, and {G2532} bring forth {G5088} a son {G5207}, and {G2532} shalt call {G2564} his {G846} name {G3686} JESUS {G2424}.

Look! You will become pregnant, you will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua.

Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.

And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1:31 records the pivotal moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will miraculously conceive and give birth to the Son of God, instructing her to call Him Jesus. This verse is central to the Christmas narrative and the understanding of Jesus' identity and mission.

Context

This verse is part of the Annunciation narrative in Luke 1, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, in Nazareth. Following Gabriel's initial greeting and Mary's bewilderment (Luke 1:29), this verse delivers the astonishing news of her future pregnancy and the specific name for her child. It sets the stage for the miraculous virgin conception and the divine nature of Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Sovereignty: The announcement emphasizes that this birth is not a natural occurrence but a direct act of God's power and will, orchestrated by Him for His purposes.
  • Miraculous Conception: The command to "conceive in thy womb" for a virgin highlights the supernatural nature of Jesus' entry into the world, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the Messiah.
  • The Significance of the Name "JESUS": The instruction to "call his name JESUS" is foundational. This name is not chosen arbitrarily but carries profound meaning, directly linking to His future mission.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire event points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, particularly the virgin birth prophesied in Isaiah 7:14.

Linguistic Insights

The name "JESUS" (Greek: Iesous) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua (or Joshua), which means "The Lord saves" or "Yahweh is salvation." This meaning is crucial for understanding His purpose, as confirmed by the angel's instruction to Joseph in Matthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." The exclamation "behold" (Greek: idou) serves to draw immediate attention to the extraordinary and divinely significant nature of the message being delivered.

Practical Application

Luke 1:31 reminds us that God often works in ways that defy human expectation and logic. Mary's humble obedience to the divine announcement, despite its incredible nature, serves as an example of faith. For believers, this verse underscores the supreme authority and saving power of the name of Jesus, which is above every name. It offers hope, knowing that in Jesus, God has provided salvation and deliverance for humanity. The story encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when it seems impossible, and to recognize His hand in the most miraculous aspects of life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Matthew 1:21

    And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

  • Matthew 1:25

    And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

  • Luke 2:21

    ¶ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

  • Matthew 1:23

    Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

  • Galatians 4:4

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
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