Luke 1:35 (WEB)
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Luke 1:35 (KJV)
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.
Key words
- ἐπισκιάσειepiskiasei · Greek
- 'shall overshadow' — from episkiazō, the verb the Septuagint uses for the glory-cloud that 'overshadowed' the tabernacle (Exodus 40:35) and that Luke uses again for the cloud at the Transfiguration (9:34).
- ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σέepeleusetai epi se · Greek
- 'shall come upon thee' — the descent of the Spirit.
- τὸ γεννώμενον ἅγιονto gennōmenon hagion · Greek
- 'that holy thing which shall be born' — literally 'the holy [one] being begotten'; hagion is also the word for the sanctuary.
Why it matters
The power of the Most High will 'overshadow' Mary. Pitre's central New Ark argument turns on this one verb: it is the word for the cloud of glory settling on the tabernacle. Luke is saying that what happened to the sanctuary in the wilderness now happens to Mary — she becomes the dwelling place of God, the new tabernacle and ark.
Catechism · 9
In the Old Testament
“Abraham's remarkable hospitality at Mamre foreshadows the annunciation of the true Son of the promise.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Gen 18:1-15; Lk 1:26-38.
"And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord"
“From the beginning he was "the one whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world", conceived as "holy" in Mary's virginal womb.” — Catechism footnote: Jn 10:36; cf. Lk 1:35.
"Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"
- §484Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you."” — Catechism footnote: Lk 1:34-35 (Greek).
- §486Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“The Father's only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is "Christ", that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 1:20; 2:1-12; Lk 1:35; 2:8-20; Jn 1:3 1-34; 2:11.
- §494Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“At the announcement that she would give birth to "the Son of the Most High" without knowing man, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary responded with the obedience of faith, certain that "with God nothing will be impossible": "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word."” — Catechism footnote: Lk 1:28-38; cf. Rom 1:5.
- §497Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“The Gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility:” — Catechism footnote: Mt 1 18-25; Lk 1:26-38.
"I Believe in the Holy Spirit"
“In the Holy Spirit, Christ fulfills these figures. the Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and "overshadows" her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus.” — Catechism footnote: Lk 1:35.
Against all human hope, God promises descendants to Abraham, as the fruit of faith and of the power of the Holy Spirit. In Abraham's progeny all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
“By the Holy Spirit's power and her faith, her virginity became uniquely fruitful.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 1:26-38; Rom 4:18-21; Gal 4:26-28.
Fathers and councils · 64
Irenaeus of Lyons
“…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;” and that the angel said to Joseph in a dream, “Now this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, Behold, a virgin shall be…” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…old leaven of [the natural] birth, and who do not choose to understand that the Holy Ghost came upon Mary, and the power of the Most High did overshadow her: wherefore also what was generated is a holy thing, and the Son of the Most High God the Father of all, who effected the incarnation of this being, and showed…” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Tertullian
“…come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also the Holy Thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“See, say they, it was announced by the angel: “Therefore that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“Clearly enough is the nativity announced by Gabriel.” — editor's note: Luke i. 26–38.
Read the whole comment“As “the Spirit of God,” however, and “the Power of the Highest,” can He be regarded as lower than the angels,—He who is verily God, and the Son of God?” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“These facts he had also received from the angel, according to our Gospel: “Wherefore that which shall be born of thee shall be called the Holy One, the Son of God;” and, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus.”” — editor's note: Such is our author’s reading of Luke i. 35.
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Athanasius of Alexandria
“For he says, ‘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.’” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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John Damascene
“Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of theeshall be called the Son of God.” — editor's note: St. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“And the archangel Gabriel answered her: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.” — editor's note: St. Luke i. 34, 35.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
“(Luke 1:35.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
It was Mary’s part neither to refuse belief in the Angel, nor too hastily take unto herself the divine message. How subdued her answer is, compared with the words of the Priest. Then said Mary to the Angel, How shall…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
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…
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
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…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
These words of Mary are a token of what she was pondering in the secrets of her heart; for if for the sake of the marriage union she had wished to be espoused to Joseph, why was she seized with astonishment when the…
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
But mark, how the Angel solves the Virgin’s doubts, and shews to her the unstained marriage and the unspeakable birth. And the Angel answered, and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee.
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
O blessed is that womb which because of the overflowing purity of the Virgin Mary has drawn to itself the gift of life! For in others scarcely indeed shall a pure soul obtain the presence of the Holy Spirit, but in…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
For the tables of our nature which guilt had broken, the true Lawgiver has formed anew to Himself from our dust without cohabitation, creating a body capable of taking His divinity, which the finger of God hath…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
Moreover, the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Christ is the power of the most high King, who by the coming of the Holy Spirit is formed in the Virgin.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
By the term overshadowing, both natures of the Incarnate God are signified. For shadow is formed by light and matter. But the Lord by His Divine nature is light. Because then immaterial light was to be embodied in…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Thou shalt conceive then not by the seed of man whom thou knowest not, but by the operation of the Holy Spirit, with which thou art filled. There shall be no flame of desire in thee when the Holy Spirit shall…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
Or he says, overshadow thee, because as a shadow takes its shape from the character of those bodies which go before it, so the signs of the Son’s Deity will appear from the power of the Father. (non occ. in Greg.…
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
For we confess that which then was taken up from Mary to be of the nature of man and a most real body, the very same also according to nature with our own body. For Mary is our sister, seeing we have all descended…
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
Hence also, St. Paul says, God sent forth his Son, born not (through a woman) but of a woman. For the words through a woman might convey only a notion of birth as a passing through, but when it is said, of a woman,…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
To distinguish His holiness from ours, Jesus is stated in an especial manner to be born holy. For we although indeed made holy, are not born so, for we are constrained by the very condition of our corruptible nature…
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
But observe, how the Angel has declared the whole Trinity to the Virgin, making mention of the Holy Spirit, the Power, and the Most High, for the Trinity is indivisible.c
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
As if he said, Look not for the order of nature in things which transcend and overpower nature. Dost thou say, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Nay rather, shall it happen to thee for this very reason,…
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Cyril of Jerusalem
“But he says, The Holy Ghost shall came upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is to be born shall be called the Son of God.” — editor's note: Luke i. 34, 35.
Read the whole comment“This is the Holy Ghost, who came upon the Holy Virgin Mary; for since He who was conceived was Christ the Only-begotten, the power of the Highest overshadowed her, and the Holy Ghost came upon her, and sanctified her, that she might be able to receive Him, by whom all things were made.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X V.5Conference V
“…shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore that which shall be born of thee shall be called holy, the Son of God.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment ““The Holy Ghost,” he says, “shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
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Origen
“…upon His apostles after His resurrection, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit;” and the saying of the angel to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee;” the declaration by Paul, that no one can call Jesus Lord, save by the Holy Spirit.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment- Origen, De Principiis II.6Book II
“But we see also very many other statements in holy Scripture respecting the meaning of the word “shadow,” as that well-known one in the Gospel according to Luke, where Gabriel says to Mary, “The Spirit of the Lord shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Justin Martyr
“…Spirit of the Lord would come upon her, and the power of the Highest would overshadow her: wherefore also the Holy Thing begotten of her is the Son of God; and she replied, ‘Be it unto me according to thy word.’ ” And by her has He been born, to whom we have proved so many Scriptures refer, and by whom God…” — editor's note: Luke i. 35. See Meyer in loc.
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“For the Holy Ghost came upon the Virgin, and the power of the Highest overshadowed her.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35
Read the whole comment“Power came over the Virgin, as in the words of the angel to her, ‘The power of the highest shall overshadow thee.’” — editor's note: Luke i. 35. The Latin of the Benedictine edition of Ambrose is:— Desinant ergo dicere naturam Verbi in Corporis naturam esse mutatam; ne pari interpretatione…
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Augustine of Hippo
“He cannot be said to have been conceived in iniquity, it cannot be said, In sins His mother nourished Him in the womb, to whom was said, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Virtue of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“Wherefore it hath been said even to Mary, “For that which is born in thee, is of the Holy Spirit.”” — editor's note: Matt. i. 20; Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…Highest shall overshadow thee,” that is, shall make a shadow for thee, “wherefore that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” — editor's note: Luke i. 5–36.
Read the whole commentChapter IX.—Of the Question How It Can Be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul of Fishes Which Luke Has Given Us is Not to Be Identified with the Record of an Apparently Similar Incident Which John Has Reported…
Read the whole comment““The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 34, 35
Read the whole comment“And when she asked this, she was told, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“For when the Virgin asked the angel how this which he had announced should be, seeing she knew not a man, the angel answered, “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.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35
Read the whole comment“…Him, recognized Him; that Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Ghost, said many things; that Mary herself received the Holy Ghost to conceive the Lord.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35–79.
Read the whole comment“…“How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” said, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power [virtue] of the highest shall overshadow thee;” and our Lord Himself when giving His disciples the promise of the Spirit, said, “But tarry ye in the city, until ye be endued with power [virtue] from on…” — editor's note: Luke i. 34, 35.
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Leo the Great
“…upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: and therefore that Holy Thing also that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God,” on the supposition that as the conception of the Virgin was a Divine act, the flesh of the conceived did not partake of the conceiver’s nature?” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“For when God was born in the flesh, God Himself was the Father, as the archangel witnessed to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “because the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee: and therefore, that which shall be born of thee shall be called holy, the Son of God.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
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Ambrose of Milan
“You see that the Spirit gives both fulness and boldness, Whose operation the archangel announces to Mary, saying: “The Holy Spirit shall come on thee.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“And according to Luke, he said to Mary: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee.”” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and that Holy Thing Which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God,” without doubt the Holy Spirit also is to be adored, since He Who according to the flesh was born of the Holy Spirit is adored.” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“At last it came upon the Virgin Mary, and the Power of the Highest overshadowed her, when she conceived Redemption for the race of men.” — editor's note: S. Luke i. 35.
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Hilary of Poitiers
“Conscious of her virginity, she is distressed at this hard thing; the Angel explains to her the mighty working of God, saying, The Holy Ghost shall come from above into thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.” — editor's note: St. Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“And when he says, The second man from heaven he testifies His origin from the Holy Ghost, Who came upon the Virgin.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.”
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Gregory of Nazianzus
“But now the swarm of testimonies shall burst upon you from which the Deity of the Holy Ghost shall be shewn to all who are not excessively stupid, or else altogether enemies to the Spirit, to be most clearly recognized in Scripture.” — editor's note: Luke i. 35; iii. 22; iv. 1.
Read the whole comment“Conceived by the Virgin, who first in body and soul was purified by the Holy Ghost (for it was needful both that Childbearing should be honoured, and that Virginity should receive a…” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Hippolytus of Rome
“Of this Spirit Gabriel also spoke to the Virgin, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…the Spirit—“and the power of the Highest will overshadow thee”—the Highest is the Demiurge,—“wherefore that which shall be born of thee shall be called holy.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
Read the whole comment“…of this (Jesus), he expresses himself thus: That powers emanating from the second tetrad fashioned Jesus, who appeared on earth, and that the angel Gabriel filled the place of the Logos, and the Holy Spirit that of Zoe, and the “Power of the Highest” that of Anthropos, and the Virgin that of Ecclesia.” — editor's note: Luke i. 26–38.
Read the whole comment“This, he says, is that which has been declared: “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee,” (meaning) that which proceeded from the Sonship through the conterminous spirit upon the Ogdoad and Hebdomad, as far as Mary; “and the power of the Highest…” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“Wherefore that holy thing which is born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Ephrem the Syrian
“And the Annunciation of Gabriel declares His generation by the Father, namely [the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee].” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Jerome
“Wherefore thatholy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”” — editor's note: Luke i. 35.
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Cross-references · 54
Cited together in Catechism §437 and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in Bede on Luke 24:45–49 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Sermons Sermon 22.
Cited together in Sermons Sermon 22.
Cited together in Bede on Luke 24:45–49 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VI.30.
Cited together in Catechism §437.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in Catechism §437.
Cited together in Against Praxeas Chapter 27.
Cited together in Catechism §494.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VI.30.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.1.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.1.
Cited together in Catechism §484 and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VII.14.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VII.14.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VII.14.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VI.30.
Cited together in Catechism §484.
Cited together in Catechism §437.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith III.2.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.1.
Cited together in Catechism §437.
Cited together in On the Mysteries Chapter 3.
Cited together in On the Mysteries Chapter 3.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews II.11.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews II.11.
Cited together in On the Mysteries Chapter 3.
Cited together in Gregory the Great on Luke 1:34–35 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Gregory the Great on Luke 1:34–35 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Flesh of Christ Chapter 14.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in The Refutation of All Heresies VII.14.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 100.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit I.7.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews II.11.
Cited together in On the Flesh of Christ Chapter 14.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion IV.7.
Cited together in On the Flesh of Christ Chapter 14.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 100.
Cited together in Catechism §437.
Cited together in Catechism §437 and 1 other place.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith III.2 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 100.