Luke 1:31

These words would have come as good news indeed to Mary. Not only would she bear a son, but her son would obviously be someone special in view of the angelic announcement of His birth. Only five other children had been named before their births in Old Testament times: Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, Solomon, and Josiah. The words Gabriel used are very similar to the wording of Isaiah 7:14 in the Septuagint (cf. Genesis 16:11-12). "Jesus" was a common name that came from "Joshua" (lit. Yahweh saves [or is salvation]; cf. Matthew 1:21). As with John the Baptist, God exercised His sovereign prerogative by naming Jesus. Both names were significant in the light of salvation history.