If this view is taken of Mary’s words, it follows that verse 35 must be explained as the yet clearer announcement of a virgin birth, supernaturally caused. If the verse is treated in itself, it is possible to interpret it of an ordinary human birth, and there is much that is attractive in the interpretation. The words may be said to speak of the Holy Ghost who should come upon Mary to inspire and preserve the purity of her soul in the act of conception. They may speak, that is to say, of God’s use of His own appointed agencies. But, to accept this view, it would be necessary to regard the words “seeing I know not a man” as a later insertion, and, though this opinion has been held by some (including Kattenbusch, Weinel, J. M. Thompson), it does not on the whole commend itself as a satisfactory solution of the problem (see further pp. 69 ff.). We are compelled therefore to accept the ordinary interpretation of verse 35, as implying the Miraculous Conception. (b) The Purport of the Angelic Announcement in Lk. i. 30‐3 In treating Mary’s question in Lk. i. 34. we have concluded that it reflects the point of view of one who has received the announcement of a miraculous birth. But this conclusion does not compel us to interpret the words of Lk. i. 30‐3 as containing such an announcement. We have to examine the passage so as to determine whether as a matter of fact it is susceptible of that interpretation. That its present context requires this view of Lk. i. 30‐3 is a fact not lightly to be regarded; nevertheless, it must find justification _within the passage itself_ before it can be accepted. In the Revised Version, the angelic message reads as follows: “_Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God._ (31) _And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus._ (32) _He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give __ unto him the throne of his father David_: (33) _and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end._”