In this paper, we propose a new semi-classical mechanism for the gravitational lensing of emitted light in order to investigate the evidence claiming that the general relativistic curvature interpretation of gravity is a mathematical tool to predict the physical phenomena correctly, rather than a physical phenomenon itself. Although it seems impossible for a mass-less object such as light to undergo the gravitational interaction, Einstein proposed that the effect is governed by a space–time curvature mechanism in which the mass-less light follows this curved path as its trajectory. Here, we propose a semi-classical mass induction mechanism on the light due to a gravitational field, say a black hole, in order to explain the gravitational interaction of mass-less light. Then, we derive the gravitational lensing equation due to this black hole, in the framework of semi-classical perspective. Results are surprisingly in accordance with the predictions of Einstein’s general theory of relativity for the weak field limit. This implies a novel understanding of the gravitational interaction of light.