“A Virgin Shall Conceive”…

John 1:1-5 KJVS
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ who was the Word, was there since the beginning and in Him was life and life was the Light of men.

John 1:6-14 KJVS
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

John the Baptist was conceived and born to bear witness of the Light who is Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ was the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among many. His glory was for many to behold, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. This study is based upon the conception of the forerunner of the Light and the conception of the only begotten, through Mary, who would bring us the Light: our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let’s go to Luke Chapter 1 starting at verse 5 , as Our Heavenly Father through Luke gives us an accurate account on both conceptions.

Luke 1:5 KJVS
“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.”

Zacharias was a priest, a high priest of the course of Abia. These courses are Levitical courses that were originally set up by David in 1st Chronicles Chapter 24. Two courses for a priest two times a year in which each course was a seven-day period.  It was in the month of June when Zacharias fulfilled his obligation to his course.

Looking at Appendix 179 III, in the Companions Bible we see the announcement of the miraculous conception of John the Baptist to Zacharias between June 13th through the 19th during his priestly course which would end on June 19th in 5 BC.

Here in verse 5, we see Elizabeth, Zacharias wife, was of the daughters of Aaron making her part of the Levitical line of the House of Israel. 

Luke 1:6-17 KJVS
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. [7] And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. [8] And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, [9] According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. [10] And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. [11] And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [14] And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. [16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. [17] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

With the power of the Holy Spirit within John inside Elizabeth’s womb, John the Baptist would go forth from his birth to be the forerunner to our Lord Jesus Christ bearing witness of His Light thus preparing the way of our Lord.

Luke 1:18-23 KJVS
“And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. [19] And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. [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. [21] And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. [22] And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. [23] And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.”

After receiving the announcement from Gabriel and becoming dumbstricken and not able to speak, Zacharias completing his priestly course would put us at June 19th, 5 BC; not leaving Jerusalem until June 20th. Upon his departure calculating his time of travel being old in age, Zacharias would not arrive to his house until June 21st or on June 22nd. This leaves ample time for the miraculous conception to take place on or about June 23rd or June 24th that year.  See Appendix 179 in E.W Bullingers Companions Bible on page 198 through 200.

Luke 1:24-25 KJVS
“And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, [25] Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

After Elisabeths conception she hid herself for five months.

Now we go to her cousin Mary.

Luke 1:26-27 KJVS
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”

Six months from Elisabeths miraculous conception of John would put the visitation of Gabriel upon Mary on December 25th which many today believe to be the date that the birth of our Lord transpired.

Luke 1:28-38 KJVS
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. [29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He 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. [34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? [35] 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. [36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing shall be impossible. [38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

We as Christians believe that life begins in the womb, however we as Christians also know that our Lord Jesus Christ, who was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit on the sixth month of Elisabeths pregnancy, is Life and is the Light that has been here from the beginning. We see here in the following verses that even John who was in Elisabeth’s womb felt the presence of the Holy Spirit after Mary ran to her to tell her the news.

Luke 1:39-41 KJVS
“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; [40] And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. [41] And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:”

John rejoiced in the womb.

Luke 1:42-56 KJVS
“And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. [45] And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. [46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. [51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree. [53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. [54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; [55] As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. [56] And Mary abode with her about three months and returned to her own house.”

A powerful testimony of the richness and fullness of the Almighty! His arm His strength that dwelt among many from that day thus moving John the Baptist to leap in his mother’s womb. A child conceived and would be born to bring Light to many. 

From the point of Mary’s arrival on that sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy with John, Mary abode with Elizabeth for three months and then journeyed home.

Luke 1:57 KJVS
“Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.”

After three months from Mary’s salutation and her departure, Elizabeth brought forth John the Baptist which would make it March 28th or the 29th.

Luke 1:58-80 KJVS
“And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. [59] And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. [60] And his mother answered and said, Not so ; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. [62] And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. [63] And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. [64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. [65] And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. [66] And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. [67] And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, [68] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, [69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; [70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: [71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; [72] To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; [73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, [74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. [76] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; [77] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, [78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, [79] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. [80] And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”

Indeed, the witness who was John the Baptist was conceived and born to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ who was the light from the beginning. A sign given through the prophets of old, which we see in Isaiah Chapter 7.

Isaiah 7:14 KJVS
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

That virgin was Mary who conceived on December 25th, and who beared our Lord Jesus Christ nine months later on September 29th thus fulfilling the Nativity. He is Immanuel which means God with us, even when He was in the womb.

Rejoice!