What does Matthew 1:22 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 1:22 is a declarative statement that aims to connect the events immediately preceding it (specifically, the birth of Jesus Christ to the virgin Mary) with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

In the context of this verse, the author is asserting that the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and his birth to Mary were in accordance with divine prophecy delivered by the Lord through the prophets, affirming the Messiah's coming as foretold in Hebrew scripture.

On a literal level, the verse states that the miraculous circumstances surrounding Jesus' conception and birth happened as a means to fulfill what God had spoken through the prophets.

On a deeper level, it presents the theme of fulfillment of prophecy as a key component of the Gospel of Matthew, reinforcing the legitimacy of Jesus' messiahship to a predominantly Jewish audience who would be familiar with the referenced prophecies.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew was written in the late first century, probably between 80 and 90 AD, and it is traditionally attributed to Matthew the Apostle, a former tax collector who followed Jesus.

The Gospel is written with a strong Jewish perspective and is concerned with linking Jesus' life and ministry to Old Testament prophecies, particularly to prove to the Jewish people that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah.

The prophecy that Matthew 1:22 refers to is from Isaiah 7:14, which speaks of a virgin (Hebrew: 'almah') conceiving and bearing a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Jews of the time anticipated the advent of a Messiah who would fulfill such prophecies, thus establishing his divine authority and the truth of his teachings.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Matthew 1:22 serves to affirm that Jesus is the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.

It is a cornerstone for the understanding of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human , the incarnation of God in the form of a man. For Christians, the fulfillment of prophecy is evidence of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

However, there is significant debate among theologians regarding the interpretation of the word "virgin" in the context of the prophecy, how precisely Old Testament predictions correspond to New Testament events, and the intended audience and meaning of those prophecies.

Jewish scholars typically do not interpret Isaiah’s prophecy as referring to the Messiah or as a prediction of a virgin birth.

Practical Applications

For believers, Matthew 1:22 encourages faith in the scriptures and in Jesus as the promised Messiah.

It could also inspire people to see the events in their lives in relation to God's larger plan.

Trusting that prophecies have been fulfilled can give believers assurance that God's promises are true and dependable.

It may also be seen as an example of how to discern and validate spiritual truth, where one looks back to foundational texts and traditions to understand contemporary experiences. In daily life, this approach can guide decision-making and personal growth in alignment with one's faith.

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."
• Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verse uses the word "πληρωθῆναι" (plērōthēnai), which means "to be fulfilled" or "to be filled to the full." This conveys a sense of completion and totality, suggesting that the events were not random but part of a divine plan reaching its intended state.

"Ρηθεν" (rhethen) is the passive perfect participle of the verb "ἐρέω" (ereō), which means "to say" or "to speak." Used here, it implies that which was previously spoken by the Lord. This passive form indicates that the words were uttered by the Lord and not by human initiative.

Another key word is "προφήτου" (prophētou), meaning "prophet," signalling the source of the uttered prophecy. It adds to the idea of divine origin and authority behind the message.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of virgin births or miraculous conceptions is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various mythologies and religions.

For instance, in ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis is said to have conceived Horus miraculously.

In Hinduism, the character Karna is born of the virgin Kunti and the solar deity Surya.

However, in the context of the Jewish tradition from which Matthew emerges, the concept of a virgin birth would be unusual and is primarily linked to the unique event of the Messiah's arrival.

It thus carries a distinctly different meaning in Matthew's context than in other mythological or religious stories of miraculous births.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, a virgin birth is not possible in humans since human reproduction requires genetic material from both a female and a male.

Thus, the conception of Jesus as described in the Bible is seen as a miracle because it defies natural biological processes.

However, some modern discussions may touch on phenomena such as parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction found in some plants, invertebrates, and a few vertebrates, which occurs without fertilization.

This biological concept, however, does not apply to human reproduction and thus does not provide a scientific explanation for the virgin birth described in Matthew.

Commentaries

Biblical commentators offer various perspectives on Matthew 1:22.

Some highlight the evangelist's intent to demonstrate Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish scriptural prophecy, thereby presenting a strong theological claim about Jesus’ identity and mission.

Others focus on the evangelist's broader themes of Jesus' divine origin and the inauguration of a new covenant between God and humanity.

Additionally, there are commentators who analyze the various controversies and discussions related to the interpretation of the prophecy, the original meaning in the Hebrew text of Isaiah, and the implications for Jewish-Christian relations.

Each of these commentaries contributes to a deeper understanding of the text and its implications for faith and scholarship.