Was Jesus Born from a Virgin?
Yes, according to the Bible, Jesus was born from a virgin named Mary. This belief is fundamental to Christianity and is called the “virgin birth.” Let’s explore this idea with Bible verses, historical context, and key takeaways.
Table of Contents
Bible Verses Supporting the Virgin Birth
- Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV):
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
- Luke 1:26-38 (ESV):
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ 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.'”
Historical Context and Theology
- Prophecy of Isaiah:
The prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, predicted that a virgin would conceive a child.
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV):
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Church Tradition:
Early Christian leaders like Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther defended the belief in the virgin birth. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his work Summa Theologica, highlighted the importance of the virgin birth as a sign of Jesus’ divine nature (Summa Theologica III, Q. 28, A. 2). Martin Luther affirmed it in his writings, emphasizing that Jesus was both fully God and fully man.
Key Takeaways
- Fulfillment of Prophecy:
The virgin birth fulfills Old Testament prophecy, specifically Isaiah 7:14, reinforcing the divine nature of Jesus. - Jesus’ Dual Nature:
Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit signifies his divinity, while his birth through Mary underscores his humanity. - Foundation of Christian Faith:
The virgin birth is a fundamental belief that underlines Jesus’ unique role as the Savior who redeems humanity from sin.
Summary
The Bible, especially in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, emphasizes that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. This belief forms a core part of Christian faith and doctrine and is supported by the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the teachings of historical theologians.