The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a virgin engaged to Joseph from the house of David, and told her she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus, who would be the Son of God and reign forever. When Mary questioned how this could happen since she was a virgin, Gabriel explained the Holy Spirit would come upon her and God's power would overshadow her. Joseph initially planned to divorce Mary quietly when he discovered she was pregnant, but an angel appeared to him in a dream and assured him the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and he should name him Jesus.