One Shall Know and the Other Knows Not

In Luke 1, we read of two people receiving a word from the angel of the LORD concerning a future son:

• Zacharias the priest, who becomes the father of John the Baptist.
• Mary the virgin, who becomes the mother of Jesus Christ.

In the case of Zacharias, his response to the angel was: ¹⁸ …Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

And in the case of Mary, her response was: ³⁴ …How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Christianity teaches that Mary’s use of the word “know” in conjunction with “a man” in this verse is a euphemism for sexual relations. However, upon further inspection, that explanation makes no sense.

The Two Pronouncements are Proclamations of Future Events

Considering the context surrounding these two pronouncements from the angel of the LORD, it is clear that the messages to both of these people concern a future conception.

• In Zacharias’ case we’re told, ²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived,…
• And with Mary, the angel tells her ³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,… indicating she had not conceived yet.

Pay Attention to the Tense of the Word “Know”

The words translated into English as “know” in Luke 1:18 and 34 each have a particular tense tied to them.

• When Zacharias uses the word “ginosko” G1097 γνώσομαι, it is a “Verb – Future Middle Deponent Indicative – 1st Person Singular”
• When Mary uses the word “ginosko” G1097 γινώσκω, it is a “Verb – Present Active Indicative – 1st Person Singular”

Zacharias is speaking of a future knowing, whereas Mary is speaking of a present knowing.

One can’t believe it, and the other can’t believe it.

Considering the context, Zacharias, with his use of the word “know”, was apparently asking for a sign (or some kind of assurance or confirmation), so that he could know what was being told to him would actually take place.

Whereas with Mary’s use of the word, she was saying that at that time she did not know (or was familiar with or aware of) a man like what she was being told her future son would be.

The angel had said Mary’s future son ³² …shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

This was clearly a reference to the words spoken to David concerning his physical seed in 2 Samuel 7:12-15.

¹² And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: ¹⁵ But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

Displays of Doubt vs Wonder

Zachariah’s response to the angel demonstrated that he doubted the word of the LORD. Because the angel then responded to him, saying, ²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Whereas Mary apparently was not expressing doubt, given how the angel responded to her. Her response was that of wonder — a feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar.

The angel responded saying, ³⁵ …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.

He wasn’t describing to Mary how she would become pregnant; The angel was reiterating through the use of other words, that Mary’s future son would indeed be the greatly anticipated Messiah.

And Mary’s response? ³⁸ …Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

What Do You Think About This?

Read through the whole chapter of Luke 1 and see if this explanation resonates with you. And let me know what you think in the comments below.