Luke 1:31
What does Luke 1:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:31 means
Gabriel plainly tells Mary she will conceive and bear a son and call his name JESUS. The name JESUS (Yeshua) means ‘the LORD saves,’ signaling the child’s redemptive mission. The announcement addresses both conception and identity: a son born in a virgin’s womb, with the specific name that declares his purpose. Luke underscores the certainty and personal nature of the promise; this child’s coming is central to God’s saving plan for Israel and the world.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And see, you will give birth to a son, and his name will be Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and lo, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb and bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
Context
This verse is the core of the Annunciation: the promise of Jesus’ birth and name. It follows reassurance and precedes details about his status and reign. The naming immediately links to Jesus’ saving role, preparing readers for the theological claims that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.
- Luke 2:21
And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Luke 1:27
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
- Matthew 1:25
and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.
- Galatians 4:4
but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
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