Question 35

What is the meaning of these words—“He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary?”

That God’s eternal Son, who is,^a and continueth true and eternal God,^b took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary,^c by the operation of the Holy Ghost;^d that he might also be the true seed of David,^e like unto his brethren in all things, sin excepted.^f

1. a. John 1:1; Colossians 1:15; Psalm 2:7

   John 1:1

   ^1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

   ^1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

   Colossians 1:15

   ^1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

   ^1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

   Psalm 2:7

   ^2:7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

   ^2:7 I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Romans 9:5; 1 John 5:20

   Romans 9:5

   ^9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

   ^9:5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

   1 John 5:20

   ^5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

   ^5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true-in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. John 1:14; Galatians 4:4

   John 1:14

   ^1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

   ^1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

   Galatians 4:4

   ^4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

   ^4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35

   Matthew 1:18

   ^1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

   ^1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

   Luke 1:35

   ^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.

   ^1:35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

5. e. Psalm 132:2; Acts 2:30; Romans 1:3

   Psalm 132:2

   ^132:2 How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

   ^132:2 how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

   Acts 2:30

   ^2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

   ^2:30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.

   Romans 1:3

   ^1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

   ^1:3 regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,

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6. f. Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 4:15

   Philippians 2:7

   ^2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

   ^2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

   Hebrews 4:15

   ^4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

   ^4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible