What Is the Incarnation?
What Is the Incarnation? The incarnation is the act by which the eternal Son of God took to Himself a true human nature, being born of the virgin Mary.
Key verse: John 1:14 (KJV)
The incarnation is the act by which the eternal Son of God took to Himself a true human nature, being born of the virgin Mary.
The incarnation is the act by which the eternal Son of God took to Himself a true human nature, being born of the virgin Mary.
"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 1:14 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The incarnation is the central miracle of Christianity. The eternal Son of God, without ceasing to be God, took on real human flesh and was born of a virgin. 'Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh' (1 Timothy 3:16). The incarnation was necessary because mankind needed a Savior who was both truly God (able to save) and truly man (able to represent us and die in our place). Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born sinless, lived a life of perfect obedience, died a substitutionary death, and rose bodily from the grave. The incarnation is celebrated at Christmas, but its significance reaches to every page of Scripture.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About What Heaven Is Like?
What the Bible reveals about the nature of heaven, eternal life, and our future home with God.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh."
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Hypostatic Union?
The hypostatic union is the doctrine that Jesus Christ is one Person with two distinct natures — fully God and fully man — united forever.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — fully God, who indwells, guides, and empowers believers.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Teach About the Incarnation of Christ?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is the Doctrine of Election?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is Covenant Theology?
Theology & Doctrine
John 1:14 — Meaning & Devotional
Incarnation
John 1:14 Commentary
In-depth study • Incarnation
The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 1:18–2:12 • incarnation
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside John. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read John on day 302 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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