Luke 1:31 is the angel Gabriel telling Mary that she will become pregnant and bear a son, and that she is to name him Jesus. The verse is a direct announcement of a coming birth, and it tells Mary and the reader the child’s identity through his name, which means “the Lord saves.”
Gabriel speaks this to Mary, a young woman living in Nazareth, during his visit to her recorded in Luke 1.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’
Luke 1:31 (WEB)
What Luke 1:31 Means
The phrase “Behold, you will conceive in your womb” draws Mary’s attention with the word “behold,” a way of saying “pay attention, this is important.” Gabriel is stating a future fact, not making a request. Mary is told plainly that she will become pregnant, and the verb is in the future tense, so the event is still ahead of her.
“And give birth to a son” confirms that the child will be a boy and that Mary will carry him to full term. Then comes the naming: “and will call his name Jesus.” In Hebrew and Aramaic culture, a name often expressed the character or mission of the person, and “Jesus” is the Greek form of “Yeshua,” which means “the Lord saves.” The verse does not promise Mary an easy life or a comfortable path. It promises that God is doing something through her son, and that the name itself points toward salvation.
The Context of Luke 1:31
Luke’s Gospel was written as an orderly account for a reader named Theophilus, and tradition holds that Luke, a companion of Paul, wrote it for a largely Gentile audience. The opening chapters tell the stories of John the Baptist’s birth and Jesus’ birth side by side, so the reader sees God working in both families in parallel ways.
Just before this verse, Gabriel greets Mary as “highly favored” and says “the Lord is with you,” and Mary is troubled and wonders what kind of greeting this is. Gabriel answers her fear with the reassurance that she has found favor with God. Verse 31 then gives the reason for that favor. Read this way, the announcement is not a random event but the fulfillment of God’s promise, and verses 32 and 33 go on to say that this son will be great and will reign forever, which shows how far the name “Jesus” reaches.
Key Phrases in Luke 1:31
Matthew 1:21
She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
(WEB)
Matthew records the angel’s words to Joseph and gives the reason for the name: the child will save his people from their sins. Reading it beside Luke 1:31 shows that the name “Jesus” is connected to the purpose of salvation from the very start.
Luke 1:35
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.
(WEB)
Here Gabriel explains to Mary how the conception will happen, through the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High. Reading it with verse 31 helps you see that the promise of a son is backed by the power of God, not by human effort.
A Short Prayer From Luke 1:31
Lord, you spoke to Mary with a clear word and told her what you were going to do through her son. Some of the news I receive is hard to understand, and I come to you with questions and fear. Help me to trust that your purposes are true, even when I cannot see how they will unfold. Teach me to rest in the name of Jesus, which means that you save. Let that name steady my heart today, and help me to walk with you one step at a time. Amen.
