[Footnote b: The Sinaitic Syriac, against all the early Greek manuscripts, reads in Matt. 1:16: "But Joseph, to whom the Virgin Mary was betrothed, begat Jesus." This ancient Ebionitic text is followed by Von Soden in his _Griechisches Neues Testament_ and by Moffatt in his _New Translation of the New Testament_, but it is difficult to believe it genuine, for in Matt. 1:18-22 the writer pictures Joseph as on the point of putting Mary away privily. The two reports in the Sinaitic Syriac flatly contradict each other. Those who accept it say that the writer of the Virgin Birth view in 1:18-20 overlooked 1:16 (certainly a serious oversight). It is easier to think that an Ebionitic scribe in copying altered 1:16, but passed by 1:18-20. The Ebionites denied the deity of Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke (1:26-38) give the Virgin Birth of Jesus, but they preserve separate traditions on the subject.] [Footnote c: Observe that Matthew's three divisions of the genealogy represent three great periods in the history of Israel. See note 5 at end of Harmony for discussion of the differences between the genealogies in Matthew and in Luke.] PART IV THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS Probably B.C. 7 to A.D. 7 _§§ 4-19. These sections include the annunciations, the birth, infancy, and childhood of both John and Jesus._ § 4. THE ANNUNCIATION[a] OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST TO ZACHARIAS Jerusalem, in the Temple. Probably B.C. 7 Luke 1:5-25[b] 5 There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the 6 daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and 7 ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were _now_ [1]well stricken in years. 8 Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before 9 God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the [2]temple of the 10 Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were 11 praying without at the hour of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar 12 of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw _him_, and fear 13 fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall 14 bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt 15 have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor [3]strong drink [_see Num. 6:3; Judg. 13:4-6; 1 Sam. 1:11_]; and he shall be filled with the [4]Holy Ghost, even from 16 his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he 17 turn unto the Lord their God.