The Messiah Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14 foretold a virgin would bear Immanuel — fulfilled in Mary.
Seven centuries before Christ, Isaiah declared that a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Immanuel — God with us. Matthew explicitly identifies the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary as the fulfillment of this sign.
The Prophecy
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
The Fulfillment
"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee..."
The sign given to Ahaz
Isaiah delivered the sign to king Ahaz in the eighth century before Christ. A virgin would conceive — humanly impossible — and her Son would be Immanuel, God with us.
Fulfilled in Mary
Matthew opens his Gospel by recording the angel's word to Joseph and explicitly states that the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary fulfilled Isaiah 7:14. Luke records Mary's own conversation with Gabriel confirming her virginity.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the virgin birth prophesied?
In Isaiah 7:14 — 'a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'
Where is the virgin birth fulfilled?
In Matthew 1:22-23 and Luke 1:26-35 in the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Messiah Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 named the village seven centuries in advance.
Out of Egypt Have I Called My Son
Hosea 11:1 fulfilled in the holy family's return from Egypt.
The Seed of the Woman
The first gospel in Genesis 3:15 — the serpent-crusher promised.
The Eternal Throne of David
God's covenant with David fulfilled in Christ's everlasting reign.
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