Under Jewish custom and Law (see the book of Numbers), if a man takes a woman who is under a vow into his house as a wife, while she is under that vow, and does not immediately prohibit the vow, he is to NEVER to have her break that vow. If Mary was not under a vow, why would Joseph not have sexual relations with Mary after he took her into his house? After all she was already pregnant. Why wait? Certainly it was his right. So why wouldn’t he have sex with his wife prior to the birth of Jesus? He didn’t, did he? Why?
A careful reading of Luke tells us why. She never intended to have sex. She was a consecrated virgin. She was under a vow of virginity.
I find it interesting that, Mt and Lk approach the annunciation (of the birth of Jesus) from different perspectives. Mt, Chap 1 addresses the annunciation from Joseph’s side, while Lk Chap 1 addresses it from Mary’s. I think this is very significant when viewed from the OT book of Numbers. To understand the Scriptural support of her perpetual virginity we need to read Scripture from her perspective.
We know Mary is a young teenager engaged to be married to Joseph and will soon be married. We know they are both good and pious Jews. We know Mary has knowledge of how children are conceived (I know not man). We also know that Mary and Joseph did not yet have sexual relations, even after he took her into his house as his wife. The question we must ask ourselves is, did Mary and Joseph intend to have sexual relations after their marriage?
www.drbo.org:
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
So, put yourself in her place, you’re soon to be married and one night you’re visited by an angel who tells you the Lord is with you, and you’re blessed among women. I think we can all understand her angst.
www.drbo.org:
31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
O.K. well, I’ll be married, have normal sex with Joe, we’ll conceive and have a son, great news it’s a gonna be a boy. His name is a little strange, God is with us? I might ask about the name.
www.drbo.org:
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 David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
Wow, he shall be the king? The expected Davidic king? I have some serious questions about this!
www.drbo.org:
33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Well, it’s the return of the old Jewish kingdom, and it will last forever, my son will be the great military king the Jewish people have long awaited. Boy do I have questions!!!
The only question a woman, about to be married, and planning on having normal sexual relations, would NOT ask is “How shall this be done”. She wasn’t stupid, she would have know how this shall be done! she’s gonna have sexual relations with Joe! NOT!