Verse 34
And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
From this it is clear that the angel had foretold Mary's immediate conception; and, since the consummation of her marriage was an event scheduled some considerable time afterward, her perplexity was natural.
I know not a man... As Gilmour said:
Mary is astonished that she is to have a son before her marriage. Roman Catholic interpreters have discovered support in this verse for their dogma that Mary had taken a vow of perpetual virginity.[27]
There is, however, no way to reconcile Mary's betrothal and definite intention of being married to Joseph with any superstition to the effect that she made reference in this place to any vow of perpetual virginity.
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