And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the name "Jesus" means "Savior," the verse emphasizes that Mary herself will name the child this. This is a subtle but important detail, highlighting her role and obedience in fulfilling God's plan by giving this divinely appointed name to her son.
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel has just appeared to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, and revealed that she has found favor with God. He reassures her not to be afraid before announcing an incredible and seemingly impossible event: she will conceive and give birth to a son. This divine decree, delivered by Gabriel, is the central message of this momentous visitation.
The angel Gabriel doesn't just give Mary a name; he reveals a mission. This name, Jesus, is packed with meaning, pointing directly to God's ultimate plan.
The name 'Jesus' isn't just a common Jewish name; it's the Greek version of the Hebrew name 'Joshua,' which means 'The salvation of Jehovah.'
The angel's words to Mary are astounding. They announce a miraculous conception and a kingly destiny, all while pointing to a child born in obscurity.
Gabriel's message to Mary is a delicate balance of the seemingly ordinary and the supremely extraordinary.
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Understand the original words
syllēpsē · Greek Verb
To become pregnant; in Scripture, this is frequently highlighted as a miraculous act of God's sovereign creative power.
Iēsoun · Greek Noun
The personal name meaning 'the Lord saves' or 'Yahweh is salvation,' given by God to the Messiah.
The name Jesus, meaning 'Yahweh saves,' was not entirely new but carried profound weight and prophetic significance, being revealed by an angel to both Mary and Joseph in fulfillment of ancient promises.
c. 2nd millennium BC
Joshua Leads Israelites
The Hebrew name 'Yeshua' (meaning 'Yahweh saves') was borne by Joshua, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. This established a significant precedent for a name signifying salvation.
c. 8th century BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah foretells a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This prophecy offered a glimmer of hope for a divine deliverer.
c. 1st century BC
Common Jewish Naming Practices
The name Jesus (a Greek form of Joshua) was a relatively common Jewish name during this period, though its meaning held deep significance.
c. AD 1— this verse
Gabriel's Announcement to Mary
The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, announcing she will miraculously conceive and bear a son, whom she is to name Jesus.
c. AD 1
Gabriel's Announcement to Joseph
After Mary's angelic visitation, Gabriel also appears to Joseph in a dream, confirming Mary's pregnancy is from the Holy Spirit and instructing him to take her as his wife and name the child Jesus.
This passage explains the meaning of the name 'Jesus' as 'he will save his people from their sins,' directly reinforcing the significance of the name given to Mary's son.
Isaiah 7:14This prophecy foretells that a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel ('God with us'), which is directly alluded to in the announcement to Mary, highlighting Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Luke 2:11This verse announces the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord, in Bethlehem, echoing the angelic message of salvation embodied in the name Jesus.
Acts 4:12This verse explicitly states that 'there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved' than Jesus, emphasizing the unique salvific power inherent in the name proclaimed to Mary.
barnesLuke 1:31: "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb - See the notes at Isaiah 7:14 . And shalt call his name Jesus - A Saviour. See the notes at Matthew 1:21. All this was announced. also, by an angel to Joseph, after this visitation to Mary. See the notes at Matthew 1:20-21.
cambridgeLuke 1:31: "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
31 . Jesus ] The Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehoshua ( Numbers 13:8 ), Joshua, Jeshua ( Zechariah 3:1 ), which means ‘The salvation of Jehovah’ (Philo, 1:597). It was one of the commonest Jewish names. Jesus is used for Joshua (to the great confusion of English readers) in Acts 7:45 ; Hebrews 4:8 . St Matthew ( Matthew 1:21 ) explains the reason of the name—“for He Himself shall s…
While the name "Jesus" means "Savior," the verse emphasizes that Mary herself will name the child this. This is a subtle but important detail, highlighting her role and obedience in fulfilling God's plan by giving this divinely appointed name to her son.
The angel Gabriel has just appeared to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, and revealed that she has found favor with God. He reassures her not to be afraid before announcing an incredible and seemingly impossible event: she will conceive and give birth to a son. This divine decree, delivered by Gabriel, is the central message of this momentous visitation.
The angel Gabriel has just appeared to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, and revealed that she has found favor with God. He reassures her not to be afraid before announcing an incredible and seemingly impossible event: she will conceive and give birth to a son. This divine decree, delivered by Gabriel, is the central message of this momentous visitation.
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." — While the name "Jesus" means "Savior," the verse emphasizes that Mary herself will name the child this. This is a subtle but important detail, highlighting her role and obedience in fulfilling God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026