Matthew 1:20
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Certainly! Let’s delve into a Bible study on Matthew 1:20, using the King James Version (KJV) translation:
Matthew 1:20 is part of the account of the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Prior to this verse, Matthew outlines the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham to King David, and then to Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary. Joseph, being a just man, was initially unaware of the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy.
Context:
Matthew 1:20 is part of the account of the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Prior to this verse, Matthew outlines the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham to King David, and then to Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary. Joseph, being a just man, was initially unaware of the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy.
Divine Revelation:
In this verse, we see Joseph grappling with the news of Mary’s pregnancy. However, as Joseph contemplated these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Dreams often served as a means of divine communication in biblical times. The angel addressed Joseph as “Joseph, thou son of David,” emphasizing his lineage as a descendant of David, which was significant because the Messiah was prophesied to be from the house of David (Isaiah 11:1).
Assurance and Instruction:
The angel reassured Joseph, saying, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife.” This instruction was vital because Joseph, as Mary’s betrothed, had the option to divorce her quietly to protect his own reputation. However, the angel revealed to Joseph the miraculous nature of Mary’s conception, explaining that the child she carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
The Virgin Birth:
The phrase “for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” underscores the supernatural aspect of Jesus’ birth. It affirms that Mary’s conception was not the result of human intervention but a divine act of God. The concept of the virgin birth is significant because it fulfills the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14, which states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Theological Significance:
Matthew 1:20 establishes the authenticity of Jesus’ divine origin and affirms his role as the Messiah. It highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, including his Davidic lineage and the miraculous nature of his conception. The virgin birth is a foundational belief in Christian theology, emphasizing Jesus’ unique identity as fully God and fully human.
