Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:25 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth. The Gospel opens with a genealogy, then shows Joseph learning that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. An angel tells him to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus. Joseph obeys, and this verse records the result of that obedience.

Meaning

The phrase “knew her not” is a biblical expression for marital intimacy. It tells us Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary before Jesus was born. This matters because it preserves the truth that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by human action. Mary remained a virgin until after the birth, confirming the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception.

The second half of the verse records Joseph’s obedience in naming the child Jesus. The name means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” The angel had already explained why: Jesus would save His people from their sins. By giving the child this name, Joseph publicly accepted the child as his own and acknowledged the mission for which Jesus had come.

Biblical connections

This verse connects directly to Matthew 1:21, where the angel gives both the name and its meaning. Together these passages show that Jesus is both fully human, born of Mary, and fully divine, conceived by the Spirit.

Application

Joseph’s example speaks plainly to believers. He received a difficult instruction and followed it without hesitation, even though it required personal sacrifice and public obedience. His restraint before the birth and his naming of the child both show a man who trusted God’s plan more than his own expectations. The verse encourages readers to obey God’s commands even when they are unconventional, and to recognize that God’s purposes are accomplished through faithful, quiet obedience.

Reflection

The verse ends with the name Jesus, pointing to the heart of the gospel: God saves His people from their sins. Joseph’s obedience made him part of that saving work, not as the father of Jesus but as the faithful guardian who raised Him. His example reminds readers that God often works through ordinary people who simply do what He asks.