Bible Strands
Luke 1:27
to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel Gabriel addresses a virgin in Nazareth during the sixth month, immediately following his arrival from God and preceding his announcement of divine favor.
The words — The text identifies the woman as a παρθένον (parthenon) who is ἐμνηστευμένην (emnēsteumenēn) to a man named Joseph. These terms denote a virgin bound in a formal betrothal covenant to a descendant of David.
The thread — This betrothal arrangement and Davidic lineage align with Matthew 1:18 and Matthew 1:16, while the virgin conception fulfills the sign promised in Isaiah 7:14.
Why it lands — The passage establishes Mary’s legal and genealogical ties to Joseph and David before revealing her divine calling. It requires the reader to acknowledge that the announced birth occurs within a formal Jewish marriage covenant rather than outside it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Cross-references
- Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
- Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
- Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
- Matthew 1:20 But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
- Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
- Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- Jeremiah 31:22 How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land—a woman will shelter a man.”
- Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.