When examining Scripture, it becomes evident there is only one unambiguous virgin birth recorded – that of Jesus Christ. While other passages describe barren women miraculously conceiving, only Christ’s conception and birth involved a virgin becoming pregnant through the divine power of the Holy Spirit.
Old Testament Prophecies Point to a Special Birth
Several Old Testament messianic prophecies imply the coming Messiah would have a unique birth:
- Isaiah 7:14 – A virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This is directly applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:22-23.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 – The Messiah’s names (“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father”) imply divinity. His birth must be special.
- Micah 5:2 – Though coming from Bethlehem, the Messiah’s origins are “from of old, from ancient times.” Hints at deity.
- Jeremiah 31:22 – “The Lord has created a new thing in the earth—a woman shall encompass a man.” Implies reversal of natural conception.
While these messianic prophecies do not use the term “virgin birth,” they hint the Messiah would be born in a extraordinary way.
The Annunciation Confirms the Virgin Birth
Both Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38 provide accounts of the annunciation of Christ’s coming virgin birth:
- Mary is described specifically as a “virgin” who is “betrothed” but not yet united to Joseph.
- The angel Gabriel declares she will conceive “of the Holy Spirit,” not through relations with a man.
- Mary asks how she can conceive without “knowing” a man. The angel confirms her pregnancy will be divinely accomplished while still a virgin.
- Joseph is assured Mary’s pregnancy is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a virgin birth, not due to unfaithfulness.
The announcements to both Mary and Joseph explicitly indicate the unique virgin birth of the child.
The Virgin Birth of Jesus Fulfills Prophecy
After the annunciation, Matthew and Luke record the actual virgin birth of Jesus:
- Matthew 1:24-25 states Joseph had no relations with Mary “till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.”
- Luke 2:5-7 confirms Joseph and Mary were still only betrothed when she gave birth.
- Jesus is born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2’s prophecy.
- These accounts fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin birth of Immanuel (Matthew 1:22-23).
The Bible upholds Jesus Christ as the only one conceived divinely in a virgin’s womb and birthed while she yet remained a virgin.
Miraculous Conceptions, but Not Virgin Births
While Jesus’ conception is the only explicitly virginal one in Scripture, other passages describe barren women miraculously conceiving:
- Isaac’s birth – God promises aged Sarah will bear Abraham a son. But no mention of virginity.
- Samson’s birth – An angel prophesies his birth to a barren woman. But she is not stated to be a virgin.
- Samuel’s birth – Hannah is barren but conceives after crying out to the Lord. A divine act, but not specified as virginal.
- John the Baptist’s birth – Mary’s relative Elizabeth conceives though “barren” and past child-bearing age. Virginal conception not explicit.
These remarkable conceptions from barren women were enabled by God’s divine power. However, they do not qualify as virgin births since they lack any mention of the women being virgins.
The Singular Significance of Christ’s Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ alone is clearly portrayed in Scripture as being divinely conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, then birthed while she was yet a virgin. This confirms:
- Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the virginal conception and birth of Immanuel.
- Jesus uniquely is the Word become flesh (John 1:14) – God in human form.
- Jesus is the uniquely begotten Son of God, not a procreated son.
- Jesus’ conception and birth were extraordinary as befits the coming of the promised Messiah.
- Jesus’ divine nature is affirmed alongside His full humanity.
- Jesus is the Savior of the world, not conceived through human generation but divine means.
The biblical accounts uphold the virgin birth as a one-time miraculous event confirming Jesus’ identity and mission as the Son of God and Savior of the world. No other conception or birth in Scripture matches the divine act of Jesus’ virginal beginning. He is uniquely confirmed through this prophecy as fully God and fully man, the Messiah and Redeemer.
