Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
Mary’s Virginity in Messianic Prophecy (Luke 1:27)

Mary’s Virginity in Messianic Prophecy (Luke 1:27)

October 19, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Isaiah, Luke, Mary, virgin, virgin birth

In Luke 1:27, we read that God sent Gabriel to a virgin named Mary. At this time, Mary was probably a teenager. But despite her young age, as was customary, she was betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph. Betrothal meant they were legally promised to each other in marriage, but the wedding ceremony itself, and hence the consummation of their marriage, was still future.

In other words, Mary was still a parthenos, i.e., a virgin.

Why is that worth mentioning to Theophilus, the recipient of Luke’s Gospel? There are at least three reasons.

First, because it was true.

Second, because there were rumors that Jesus was an illegitimate child (cf. John 8:41), and Theophilus needed certainty about His real parentage.

And third, and most importantly, Theophilus needed to be sure that Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecy (cf. Luke 1:1). Which prophecies are those? Two come to mind—one from Isaiah and the other from Genesis.

First, Isaiah prophesied, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14). Traditionally, this is taken as a prophecy of the virgin birth. But there is a controversy over the meaning of the word virgin. Skeptics point out that the Hebrew almah can simply mean a “young woman” without necessarily indicating her virginity (BDB, p. 761). They claim that if Isaiah meant to say virgin, he could have used a different word, betulah. Hence, the NRSV translates this as “the young woman is with child” (emphasis added). However, after surveying the OT uses of the two words, Mortyer concluded: “Isaiah used the word which, among those available to him, came nearest to expressing ‘virgin birth’” (Mortyer, Isaiah, p. 79). So which is it? Was Isaiah referring to a young woman or more specifically to a virgin?

The traditional view is supported by the Septuagint, which translated Isa 7:14 using the word parthenos, which usually means virgin. That is also how Matthew’s Gospel translates Isaiah’s prophecy (cf. Matt 1:22-23, likely quoting the LXX). And, of course, you will remember that is the word that Luke used to describe Mary: she was a parthenos, i.e., virgin. In sum, Isaiah predicted a virgin birth, and Mary fit the bill.

Secondly, God promised that the Messiah would be the seed of the woman: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen 3:15). The Messiah would be “her Seed.” Isn’t that an odd thing to say? Normally, the word “seed” is a euphemism for sperm, or a man’s lineage (cf. Gen 38:8-9). Adam was standing right there with Eve, so you would expect God to say the Messiah would be his Seed. Instead, the child would be her Seed. What could that mean? How could a woman have a seed? In light of both Christ’s birth and Isaiah’s prophecy, many have understood Gen 3:15 to imply that the Messiah would be conceived miraculously, through a mother, but without a human father. And that is what happened with Jesus and Mary. She conceived Jesus miraculously, reinforcing the authenticity of His Messianic claims.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

February 2, 2023

Romans–Part 04–The Problem

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Ken Yates and Kathryn Wright continue this short series about Romans. Jumping to Chapter 3, they begin with...
February 2, 2023

Are Believers Today Under the New Covenant? 

A pastor friend whom I’ll call Dave has been studying the New Covenant lately. We’ve had a few excellent conversations about it. I thought I’d...
February 1, 2023

Romans–Part 03–Wrath

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Kathryn Wright and Ken Yates are continuing their discussion of the book of Romans. How is the book...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Confident in Christ, 2nd Edition $22.00 $5.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
  • Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology $15.00 $10.00
  • The Journey of Faith $15.00 $9.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube