Luke 1:31

Conceive. The wording of v. 31 resembles somewhat that of Gen. 16:11, where a similar promise was made to Hagar. The angel announced the fulfillment of the promise made to Eve (see on Gen. 3:15).

How the King of the universe could and would thus condescend to be “made flesh” (John 1:14), to be “made of a woman” (Gal. 4:4), “in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7), is an unfathomable and incomprehensible mystery that Inspiration has not seen fit to reveal. With what awe and reverence heaven must have watched the Son of God “step down from the throne of the universe” (DA 23), depart from the courts of glory, and condescend to take upon Himself humanity, to be made “in all things ... like unto his brethren” (Heb. 2:17), to humble Himself and be “found in fashion as a man” (see Additional Note on John 1; see on Phil. 2:7, 8).

With awe and reverence we too ought to contemplate the matchless love of God in giving His only Son to take our nature (John 3:16). By His humiliation Christ bound “Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken” (DA 25). In this marvelous gift the character of God stands forth in utter contrast with the character of the evil one, who, though a created being, sought to exalt himself and “be like the most High” (Isa. 14:14).

Call his name. See on Matt. 1:21.