What does Matthew 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 1:20 conveys a moment of divine intervention, where Joseph, betrothed to Mary, is visited by an angel in a dream.

This visitation occurs as Joseph is contemplating his situation with Mary, who is found to be with child despite their not having come together.

The angel addresses Joseph as "son of David," which acknowledges his Davidic lineage, and tells him not to fear taking Mary as his wife.

The angel clarifies that Mary's pregnancy is through the Holy Spirit, indicating a supernatural, divine conception.

The verse conveys themes of obedience to God, divine revelation, and the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the Messiah's birth.

Historical Context

During the time Matthew was writing his Gospel, betrothal was a legally binding promise of marriage, and breaking it was akin to divorce.

Mary's pregnancy during this period would have been a serious cultural taboo and potentially exposed her to public shame or worse.

The Gospels were written within a Jewish context where lineage mattered greatly, and the reference to David's lineage is significant because the Messiah was prophesied to come from David's line.

This historical backdrop is crucial for understanding the gravity of the situation and the angel's reassurance.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is significant for several reasons:

• It testifies to the virgin birth, a core doctrine of Christian belief, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin.
• It highlights God's guidance and comfort in times of uncertainty and distress.
• The verse underlines the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the Christian conviction that Jesus is the promised Messiah from the line of David.
• Furthermore, from a Trinitarian perspective, it features the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the incarnation of Jesus, which is critical to the understanding of the Trinity.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse illustrates:

• Trusting in God’s plan, even when it does not align with societal expectations or our understanding.
• The importance of discernment and being receptive to divine messages, which can sometimes come in unexpected ways, such as dreams.
• The virtue of courage in facing difficult decisions, inspired by Joseph's willingness to accept his role in the divine plan without fear.

Cross-References

• Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
• Luke 1:35 - "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Language Study

Analyzing key words in Greek:

• "Angel" (ἄγγελος, angelos): a messenger, often a divine messenger from God.
• "Fear not" (μὴ φοβηθῇς, me phobethes): a common biblical phrase urging not to be afraid, signifying the presence of divine reassurance.
• "Joseph" (Ἰωσήφ, Ioseph): Heir to the Davidic line, the name also means "he will add," in Hebrew, perhaps signifying the addition of Jesus to the lineage.
• "Holy Ghost" (πνεῦμα ἅγιον, pneuma hagion): Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity, signifying divine action or presence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, virginal conceptions are also found in other mythologies and religions, such as the birth of Horus to Isis in Egyptian mythology, or the birth of Buddha in some traditional stories.

However, in the context of the Bible, the virgin birth is unique in its purpose to bring about the incarnate life of the Messiah, Jesus, as part of a divine salvific plan.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, a virgin birth, known as parthenogenesis, is observed in some animal species but not naturally in humans.

As such, the concept of a virgin birth in humans cannot be explained by current scientific understanding and is accepted as a matter of faith by believers.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 1:20 often focus on:

• How Joseph's decision to stay with Mary and not expose her to public shame reflects his righteousness.
• The importance of dreams as a method of divine communication in biblical texts.
• Interpretation of the prophecy fulfillment in the context of the narrative.
• Reflection on the character of Joseph as a model of obedience and faithfulness.

Some commentators also explore the legal and social ramifications of Joseph's acceptance of the child as a legitimate heir to the throne of David. Others may discuss how the early church interpreted and taught about the virgin birth in the context of Christology.