T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S vealed fact. There are inexplicable mys teries in many things that we are bound to believe. Those who question the Virgin Birth of Christ ascribe to Him the blackest dishonor.— Torrey. - Call His name Jesus. The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name of Joshua, meaning "Jehovah our Saviour” . This is the name that links Him with humanity. *He is conspicuous as Jesus up to His crucifixion. After the resurrection, He is more conspicuous as Christ, and in His second coming, as Lord.—Johnson. v. 32. Throne of His father David. Let us beware of spiritualizing away the full meaning of these words. “ The house of Jacob” does not mean all Christians. “ The throne of David” does not mean the office of Saviour to Gen tile believers. These words will yet have a literal fulfillment when the Lord Jesus comes a second time. The king dom of which He speaks is the glorious kingdom prophesied by Daniel (7:27), to be established, not when Christ comes in humiliation, but in power and great glory.— Ryle. Son of the Highest. This is the angel’s testimony of Him. Note, also, the testimony of John (John 1 :34 ); the Father (Matt. 3:17; 17:5 ); Nathanael (John 1 :49 ); Peter (Matt. 16:16; John 6 :69 ); Mark (Mark 1 :1 ); John (John 20:31); centurion (Matt. 27:54); Paul (Acts 9 :20 ); Christ Him self (John 10:36; 11:4; Rev. 2 :8).— Beveridge. v. 35. Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. The Holy Spirit in relation to Jesus. Born of the Spirit (1 :3 5 ); baptized by the Spirit (3:21, 22); the Spirit abiding on Him (John 1 :33 ); given Him not by measure (John 3 :34 ); filled with and led by the Spirit (Luke 4 :1 ); bear ing the fruit of the Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; Matt 12:28).— Inglis. The Holy Spirit was the immediate agent in the immaculate conception, not that He was therefore the Father of the blessed Son, but He was the vehicle of the pa ternity.— Moule. That holy thing. “ That which is to be begotten holy shall be called the Son of God.”—Rotherham. We may notice in this verse an implied distinction between this child and all other children. From the very first moment of His earthly existence He is holy in Himself. John the Baptist was to be filled with the Spirit (v. 15) from his mother’s womb, but Jesus is one with God from whom sanctification pro ceeds.—Horn. Com. LET US ALL JOIN HANDS
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to the same action. The former did not ask for a sign from distrust in the promise of God, but for confirmation of his faith. The latter had no true faith at all and did not, as the former, turn from natural causes to the great first cause. Hence, though a sign was given him, it was a judicial infliction as well, for not believing, though wisely or dained to be such as should fix the at tention of the Jews on the promised child.— Bloomfield. v. 19. I am Gabriel. The name means “ man of God” . He appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21) and to the Virgin (v. 2'6). Only two angels are mentioned by name in Scripture— Gabriel and Michael (Dan. 9:21; Jude 9). The one announces God’s purposes, the other executes God’s decrees.—Will- cock. v. 26. City named Nazareth. Luke alone informs us that this village was the place of Mary’s residence before the birth of Jesus. Nazareth was an Ob scure village. This is important in its bearing on the originality of our Lord’s teaching. In Nazareth, the only instruc tion He would receive would be in His own family and in the synagogue. He would not be under the influence of Grecian culture, nor that of rabbinical teachers with whose whole spirit and system His own was most strongly con trasted.— Speaker’s Com. v. 27. Virgin espoused. Rather, “ be- 'trothed” , “ contracted” . A ceremony* which among many nations has always preceded marriage and to which great importance has been attached.— Crit ical Com. v. 31. Behold. Observe that there are seven statements in this announce ment. The first four statements, as to His birth, His name, His greatness and the manifestation of His Deity, have been fulfilled. The last three, as to His taking the throne of David, His reign over the house of Jacob and His ever lasting kingdom, will be just as liter ally fulfilled in the future.— Brooks. Thou shalt conceive. We find in verses 31-35 the clearest and fullest declara tion, on the one hand, of the true hu manity of Jesus, and, on the other hand, Of the true Deity of Jesus. Mary was to be the mother of Jesus and God was to be His Father. This may present to us a mystery that we cannot explain. Nevertheless, such is the clearly re
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