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Book of Luke - Chapter 1 - Verse 35

1:35
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.

Meaning

In this verse from the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel is speaking to Mary, informing her that she will give birth to the Son of God. The angel explains that the Holy Ghost will come upon her and the power of the Highest will overshadow her, leading to the miraculous conception of Jesus. This event signifies the divine nature of Jesus, as he is not conceived through human means but through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. The title "Son of God" emphasizes Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father, highlighting his role as the Messiah and Savior of the world. The fulfillment of this prophecy underscores the belief in the virgin birth of Jesus, a key tenet of Christian faith. Through this verse, believers are reminded of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, illustrating his divine origin and purpose in God's plan for salvation.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of this verse focuses on the concept of the Trinity. Here, we see the Holy Spirit, identified as the Holy Ghost, playing a significant role in the miraculous conception of Jesus. The power of the Highest, often understood to be a reference to God the Father, overshadows Mary, indicating the divine nature of Jesus' birth. This verse underscores the unity of the Trinity in the work of salvation, with each person of the Godhead playing a unique role in the incarnation of Christ.

Additionally, a word study on the term "overshadow" can shed light on the significance of this divine act. The Greek word used here is "episkiasei," which conveys the idea of overshadowing or enveloping with a cloud. This imagery connects back to the Old Testament, where the cloud symbolized the presence of God filling the tabernacle or temple. By using this term, the Gospel writer emphasizes the divine intervention in bringing about the conception of Jesus, highlighting the sacred and miraculous nature of this event.

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