And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel uses "overshadow" with a powerful implication: just as God's glory-cloud (the Shekinah) once covered the tabernacle, God's power will now uniquely and mysteriously envelop Mary. This divine "overshadowing" is precisely why the child born will be declared "holy" and the "Son of God"—not just because of his conception, but because of the specific, sacred power at work in making him human.
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mary has just expressed her astonishment and confusion about how she, a virgin, can conceive a child. The angel Gabriel reassures her by explaining that this miraculous conception will be the work of the Holy Spirit, a divine intervention that sets this child apart. This divine act is precisely why the child born of her will be uniquely designated as holy and the Son of God.
Mary questioned how she could conceive without a man. The angel's answer points to a power far beyond human understanding.
The angel Gabriel explains that this miraculous conception isn't about human biology but divine action.
A New Beginning
The "Holy Spirit will come upon you" signifies God's direct involvement, initiating life in a way that transcends natural processes. This isn't just a human event; it's a divine act.
The Power of the Most High
Accompanying the Spirit's presence is "the power of the Most High shall overshadow you." This imagery evokes God's protective, creative presence, like a cloud that shielded Israel in the wilderness. It ensures the conception is not only possible but also protected and empowered by God himself. This divine 'overshadowing' ensures the process is purely God's work, separate from human 'will or flesh.'
Because of this divine conception, the angel reveals the unique identity of the child Mary will bear.
The angel's words, "therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God," directly link the supernatural conception to Jesus' identity.
Utter Holiness
The phrase "holy thing" points to Christ's perfect sinlessness. Unlike all other humans, who inherit a sinful nature, Jesus was uniquely pure from conception, set apart by the Holy Spirit. This wasn't just a moral choice; it was an inherent state established by his divine conception.
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The Son of God
This extraordinary birthright proclaims Jesus as "the Son of God." This title signifies more than just a close relationship; it points to his divine nature, co-equal with the Father. While Jesus is also the "Son of Man," fulfilling prophecy about David's line, his divine generation sets him apart, revealing his unique place in the Godhead. This appellation isn't merely a designation but a declaration of his essential being, established through this miraculous event.
Understand the original words
Pneuma Hagion · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity; the active agent of God in creation, sanctification, and the incarnation of the Son.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's sovereign efficacy and ability to perform His will; it is distinct from human strength and signifies divine intervention.
episkiasei · Greek Verb
To cast a shadow over; in biblical language, this refers to the divine presence or glory enveloping something or someone, signaling God's protection and creative activity.
hagion · Greek Adjective
Separated from sin, set apart for God's use, and possessing the essential character of God; signifying moral purity and divine quality.
This announcement to Mary comes centuries after prophecies of a virgin birth and a restored Davidic kingdom. The Roman occupation of Judea, coupled with the miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, highlights that the promised Messianic restoration would be unlike any earthly kingdom, initiated by divine power rather than human might.
c. 740 BC
Prophecy of Virgin Birth
Isaiah prophesies that a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, a sign of God's presence and a future king.
c. 700 BC
Davidic Dynasty Weakened
King Hezekiah, a descendant of David, faces an Assyrian invasion. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared, the dynasty's power is diminished, setting the stage for a future restoration promised in prophecy.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports a portion of Judah's nobility and skilled workers to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel, signaling the decline of Jewish sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the Jewish people. This event marks the nadir of Israel's history, yet prophetic promises of a future restoration and a Davidic heir linger.
c. 63 BC
Roman Rule Established
Rome conquers Judea, ending the period of the Maccabean revolt and establishing a Roman governor. This foreign domination intensifies the Jewish longing for a promised Messiah to restore their kingdom.
c. 5 BC - 1 BC
Conception of John the Baptist
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah, announcing that his elderly, barren wife Elizabeth will conceive a son, John the Baptist, who will prepare the way for the Lord.
c. 4 BC - 1 BC— this verse
Annunciation to Mary
The angel Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth, announcing that she, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, will conceive a son through the Holy Spirit, who will be called the Son of God and heir to David's throne.
This verse describes the Spirit of God hovering over the waters at creation, a powerful image that parallels the Holy Spirit 'overshadowing' Mary to bring forth new life in Christ.
Isaiah 7:14This prophecy directly foretells a virgin conception, highlighting the miraculous nature of the birth announced to Mary and the identity of the child.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, directly connecting to the divine conception and the unique identity of Jesus as the Son of God made manifest.
Romans 1:3-4This passage identifies Jesus as the Son of God, born from David's line according to the flesh, but powerfully declared Son of God by the resurrection through the Spirit, echoing the divine empowerment in Luke 1:35.
Hebrews 1:1-3This passage emphasizes that God has spoken through His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe, underscoring the divine authority and identity of the Son born of Mary.
calvinLuke 1:34-38: "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"
- And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man? 35. And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which shall be born shall be called the Son of God. 36. And, behold, Elisabeth thy cousin, even she hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her w…
clarkeLuke 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."
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee - This conception shall take place suddenly, and the Holy Spirit himself shall be the grand operator. The power, δυναμις, the miracle-working power, of the Most High shall overshadow thee, to accomplish this purpose, and to prot…
The angel uses "overshadow" with a powerful implication: just as God's glory-cloud (the Shekinah) once covered the tabernacle, God's power will now uniquely and mysteriously envelop Mary. This divine "overshadowing" is precisely why the child born will be declared "holy" and the "Son of God"—not just because of his conception, but because of the specific, sacred power at work in making him human.
Mary has just expressed her astonishment and confusion about how she, a virgin, can conceive a child. The angel Gabriel reassures her by explaining that this miraculous conception will be the work of the Holy Spirit, a divine intervention that sets this child apart. This divine act is precisely why the child born of her will be uniquely designated as holy and the Son of God.
Mary has just expressed her astonishment and confusion about how she, a virgin, can conceive a child. The angel Gabriel reassures her by explaining that this miraculous conception will be the work of the Holy Spirit, a divine intervention that sets this child apart. This divine act is precisely why the child born of her will be uniquely designated as holy and the Son of God.
"And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God." — The angel uses "overshadow" with a powerful implication: just as God's glory-cloud (the Shekinah) once covered the tabernacle, God's power will now uniquely and mysteriously envelop Mary. This divine…
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Last reviewed October 2026