CHAPTER III.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CONCEPTION OF JESUS.—ITS SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER.—VISIT OF MARY TO ELIZABETH.

§ 23. Sketch of the different canonical and apocryphal accounts 119 24. Disagreements of the canonical gospels in relation to the form of the annunciation 121 25. Import of the angel’s message. Fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 126 26. Jesus begotten of the Holy Ghost. Criticism of the orthodox opinion 130 27. Retrospect of the genealogies 132 28. Natural explanation of the history of the conception 137 29. History of the conception of Jesus viewed as a mythus 140 30. Relation of Joseph to Mary. Brothers of Jesus 143 31. Visit of Mary to Elizabeth 148