In the early 1950’s controversy erupted around a newly released translation of the Bible. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible was published in 1952 as a revision to the American Standard Version. The RSV translated Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.” Older Bible translations read, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive.” The choice of “young woman” in place of “virgin” caused many to accuse the RSV of attempting to undermine key Biblical doctrines.

The virgin birth of Jesus is a key point in the Biblical doctrine about Jesus. Jesus had to be born without a human father for Him to be able to be a sinless sacrifice for sin. Romans 5:12 suggests the sin nature is passed down to every person from their father. The Old Testament is clear that a sacrifice for sin had to be physically perfect to be accepted by God. For Jesus to be humanity’s sacrifice for sin He had to be perfect. He could not be perfect if He inherited a sin nature from a human father, therefore, Jesus had to be born without an earthly father. Jesus had to be born of a virgin.

This doctrine is more than a theological construct devised by Biblical scholars many centuries after Jesus lived. The gospels of Matthew and Luke teach the virgin birth. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to have a son, Mary’s question was natural and to the point. She asked how she could have a child since she had never had sexual intercourse with any man. (Luke 1:34) Gabriel responded that the child would be produced in her by the creative power of God working in her womb. (Luke 1:35) The child of Mary would not be fathered naturally, but would be supernaturally conceived in her.

The gospel of Matthew is particularly careful to teach the virgin birth of Jesus. When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy he assumed she has been unfaithful. While he was still trying to decide what to do an angel appeared to him. The angel told Joseph, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20) Three times the gospel of Matthew says Joseph could not possibly have fathered Jesus. Mary became pregnant “before they came together” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25).

Matthew’s most important declaration of Mary’s virginity is in verse 23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” Matthew quoted Isaiah 7:14 to show the virgin birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to be the promised Messiah. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7). If Jesus is who Scriptures says He is- the promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior of men and the Son of God- then He had to be born of a virgin. The gospel accounts of Jesus birth are clear. Jesus was conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit apart from any human intervention. Jesus was born of a virgin.