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Annalex. This is not a pledge of perpetual virginity.

Up until this time in Jewish history, there was one thing that every Jewish girl dreamed of - to become the mother of the Messiah. When verses about this event were mentioned in synagogue, you can bet that they took notice. Yet, one particular verse in Isaiah had perplexed people from the time it was written. Mary would have undoubtedly known that verse. Nobody could really understand HOW this verse could be fulfilled. And, the how would have undoubtedly have been on their minds.

So, here is Mary. A good and pious Jewish girl who has found favor in the Lord's eyes. Suddenly she gets an angelic visitation. Not your everyday occurence. Mary knows something is up. And the Angel gives her her first clue. The most blessed any woman could be is if she would give birth to the Messiah. The Angel says: "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

The Bible says 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

The Word "troubled" here, by the way, means agitated. Disturbed. Picture this. An Angel comes to you and says "you are highly favored, the Lord is with you, and above all women, you are blessed." And, you are going to be troubled and anxious?

Why would she be disturbed? Simply because she realizes immediately what the implications are. The Bible says she "cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be."

The word for "cast in her mind" is dialogizomai, meaning reasoned, considered etc., She thought about it. Why would he say that I am blessed among women?

Then the angel gives her her clue. "behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.("Jehovah is salvation").

Mary IMMEDIATELY knew what he was referring to and she blurted out what was on EVERYONE's mind whenever they heard this Isaiah 7 verse:"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (meaning God or God with us).

Mary says "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" In other words... Angel, how can this happen? I'm a virgin!

The Angel answers her "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Thereby sealing in Mary's heart the significance of this visitation.

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

So, no, this isn't a pledge of perpetual virginity, but an understanding that she is being called to be the one to fulfill Scripture and a theological question as to how can this happen to a virgin? The very fact that she asks no questions other than "how can this happen?" (such as, why is the Lord reaching down to me ? Why is this happening?) bolsters that thought that Mary knew precisely what the implications were and she was humbled by it.