Luke 1:34 — Community Reflections

LUKE 1:34 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? — Mary's question is the question of mechanism, not proof: she is not asking for a confirming sign (unlike Zechariah) but asking how the announced birth can occur given her virginal status. The I am a virgin (andra ou ginōskō, I do not know a man) specifies the problem she is identifying: the normal biological mechanism for conception is not present in her situation. The question is the question of faith seeking understanding, not the question of doubt seeking evidence.

Church Fathers on Luke 1:34

It was Mary’s part neither to refuse belief in the Angel, nor too hastily take to herself the divine message. How subdued her answer is, compared with the words of the Priest. Then said Mary to the Angel, How shall this be? She says, How shall this be? He answers, Whereby shall I know this? He refuses to believe that which he says he does not know, and seeks as it were still further authority for belief. She avows herself willing to do that which she doubts not will be done,…
Ambrose · 4th century

Hear the chaste words of the Virgin. The Angel tells her she shall bear a son, but she rests upon her virginity, deeming her inviolability a more precious thing than the Angel’s declaration. Hence she says, Seeing that I know not a man.
Gregory the Great · 6th century

Knowledge is spoken of in various ways. The wisdom of our Creator is called knowledge, and an acquaintance with His mighty works, the keeping also of His commandments, and the constant drawing near to Him; and besides these the marriage union is called knowledge as it is here.
Basil the Great · 4th century

Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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