Luke 1:35 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Mary is told that the child she will bear comes from God Himself, and so will be called the Son of God.
The Context of Luke 1:35
Mary has just asked how she can have a son, since she is a virgin (verse 34). This is Gabriel's answer. The word overshadow recalls the cloud of God's presence that once filled the tabernacle, a holy nearness now coming to rest on a young woman in Nazareth.
What Does Luke 1:35 Mean?
Gabriel answers Mary's honest question with a promise wrapped in mystery. The Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her, like the cloud of glory that once settled over the tabernacle. The child conceived this way will be holy from the first, set apart, and He will be called the Son of God. Mary is not handed a full explanation; she is given the assurance that God Himself is at work in her.
Here, in a single sentence, heaven and earth are joined. The child to be born is truly Mary's son, carried and delivered as any child is, and truly God's Son, conceived by the Spirit's power. Both at once, fully human and fully from God. This is the heart of who Jesus is, and it begins with a quiet word to a willing girl who answered, Be it unto me according to thy word (verse 38).
Luke 1:35 in the Original Language
episkiazo (ἐπισκιάζω), 'overshadow' -- to cover with a shadow, the same word for the cloud of God's presence.
How to Apply Luke 1:35 Today
This verse holds the wonder at the center of our faith: that the One born of Mary is both fully one of us and fully from God. We can come to Him knowing He understands our human life from the inside, and that in Him we meet God Himself drawn near.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 1:35
What does Luke 1:35 mean?
Mary is told that the child she will bear comes from God Himself, and so will be called the Son of God.
What is the context of Luke 1:35?
Mary has just asked how she can have a son, since she is a virgin (verse 34). This is Gabriel's answer. The word overshadow recalls the cloud of God's presence that once filled the tabernacle, a holy nearness now coming to rest on a young woman in Nazareth.
How can I apply Luke 1:35 today?
This verse holds the wonder at the center of our faith: that the One born of Mary is both fully one of us and fully from God. We can come to Him knowing He understands our human life from the inside, and that in Him we meet God Himself drawn near.