Luke 1:34

34 "How can this happen?" Mary asked the angel. "I am a virgin."

Luke 1:34 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:34

Then said Mary to the angel, how shall this be
This she said not as doubting the truth of what was said; for she required no sign, as Zacharias did; nor is she charged with, and blamed for unbelief, as he was; yea, it is expressly said, ( Luke 1:45 ) that she believed: nor was this a curious question, as whether she should have this son by a man in a married state, or in her present virgin state; for she clearly understood the angel to mean the latter; and therefore her words express her admiration at it, and also her desire to be informed of the manner how it should be: as to the matter of fact, she did not dispute it, but wanted to be resolved by what means it would be brought about: she knew, by prophecy, that the Messiah was to be born of a virgin, and she perceived, by the angel's declaration, that she was that virgin, but could not imagine in what way this amazing thing should be effected; and therefore proposes this question for the following reason,

seeing I know not a man?
"A husband", as the Arabic version renders it; not Joseph, nor any other man; for though she was espoused to Joseph, yet he had not taken her to wife; nor were they, as yet; come together; and before they did, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost, ( Matthew 1:18 ) she was a pure virgin, untouched by man. The words are an "euphemism", or a modest way of expressing carnal copulation; see ( Genesis 4:1 ) .

Luke 1:34 In-Context

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago.

33 He will rule forever over his people, who came from Jacob's family. His kingdom will never end."

34 "How can this happen?" Mary asked the angel. "I am a virgin."

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.

36 Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now.