Matthew 1:18-25
Q.1. Had Joseph and Mary been intimate during their engagement? How was it that Mary was pregnant? What was Joseph’s response to the news? – (Mt.1:18-19)
Matthew was very explicit in his record, that although Joseph and Mary were promised to each other, her pregnancy came about – before they had come together (Mt.1:18). [The betrothal was the first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for about a year before the wedding night. It was more legally binding than a modern engagement]. Lest this still be unclear, Matthew added that – Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly (Mt.1:19). The explanation that Mary gave to Joseph was that – she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit (Mt.1:18). It was obviously a claim very difficult to believe.
Q.2. What changed Joseph’s mind? Why did the angel call him a son of David? What was significant about the name given to the baby? – (Mt.1:20-21 c.f. Mt.1:16)
Joseph had a visitation from the angel of the Lord, who corroborated Mary’s story that – the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit (Mt.1:20). The preceding genealogy recorded that – Jacob was the father of Joseph (Mt.1:16). However, Matthew was at pains to reveal to his Jewish readers that Jesus was the fulfilment of the Davidic promises, and that – Jesus the Messiah was the son of David, the son of Abraham(Mt.1:1 c.f. 2 Sam.7:12-13). Both Joseph, the adoptive father, and Mary the mother, had Davidic connections (see Mt.1:17, 20 c.f. Lk.1:31-33; 3:23, 31). Though Mary was told the name of her Child, the meaning of the name Jesus was explained to Joseph by the angel – She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Mt.1:21 c.f. Lk.1:31). His name implies that His people need saving because they cannot save themselves!
Q.3. How did Matthew support this incident? Why? What was Joseph’s response? What do we learn about the integrity and purity of Joseph and Mary? – (Mt.1:22-25)
The news from the angel was a fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy – “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” (Mt.1:23). Jesus is not inferior to God. He is none other than – God with us (Mt.1:23). This is a staggering truth that defies human expectation and explanation. Who would have thought that the Son of God, Jesus, would come to dwell with mankind? Joseph obeyed the angel – and took Mary as His wife (Mt.1:24 c.f. Mt.1:20). However, the news had spread about Mary’s pregnancy prior to the marriage, and this resulted in the accusation that Jesus was illegitimate (see Jn.8:41). Matthew reinforced the truth of the integrity and purity of Joseph and Mary, by recording that Joseph – kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus (Mt.1:25). Joseph, like Mary, submitted to God’s directions, thus giving up the right to name the Child himself (see Mt.1:25 c.f. Lk.1:38).