Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "she was found to be with child" carries a subtle but important weight. It implies that this was not a secret, but rather an observable reality that came to light, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the situation and the immediate challenge it presented to Joseph. This wording emphasizes the surprising and public aspect of Mary's condition, even before Joseph's divine revelation.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage introduces the unique origin of Jesus' birth, emphasizing that it wasn't a typical human conception. It highlights Mary's betrothal to Joseph, a formal commitment in Jewish culture akin to marriage, and then immediately reveals the extraordinary news: she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph had lived together as husband and wife. This sets the stage for Joseph's dilemma and the divine intervention that follows to explain this miraculous event.
Imagine being engaged, and your future spouse discovers you're pregnant. In Jewish culture, this wasn't just awkward—it was legally binding, with severe consequences for unfaithfulness.
The text emphasizes that Mary was 'betrothed' to Joseph (μνηστευθείσης). In Jewish custom, betrothal was a deeply serious commitment, almost as binding as marriage itself.
A Formal Agreement
Mary was found to be with child, but not through any human agency. This wasn't just a 'miracle'; it was a specific, divine act to bring about God's Son.
The verse is explicit: Mary was 'with child from the Holy Spirit.' This is the heart of the miraculous conception, distinguishing Jesus' birth from all others.
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Understand the original words
mnēsteuō · Greek Verb (participle)
A legal state of engagement in the Jewish culture that was considered as binding as marriage, requiring a formal divorce to dissolve. During this period, the couple was legally husband and wife, though they did not yet cohabit.
Pneuma Hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the agent of divine power and presence. In the New Testament, He is the source of new life and the one who miraculously effected the incarnation in Mary's womb.
The betrothal customs of ancient Jewish society provide crucial context for understanding Joseph's difficult dilemma and his eventual obedience to God's miraculous plan.
c. 20 BC - 1 BC— this verse
Mary and Joseph's betrothal
Mary and Joseph are betrothed according to Jewish custom. This was a binding agreement, second only to marriage itself.
c. 1 BC
Mary's pregnancy discovered
Before Mary and Joseph live together as husband and wife, Mary is found to be pregnant, causing Joseph distress.
c. 1 BC
Joseph receives divine revelation
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, explaining Mary's pregnancy is by the Holy Spirit and instructing him to take her as his wife.
c. 1 BC
Joseph obeys and marries Mary
Joseph takes Mary as his wife, acknowledging the divine nature of her pregnancy and upholding the betrothal agreement.
c. 1 BC - AD 1
Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies and marking the beginning of his earthly ministry.
This passage directly parallels Matthew's account, explaining the miraculous conception through the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High, reinforcing the divine origin of Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14This prophecy is explicitly cited in Matthew 1:23 as being fulfilled by Jesus' birth, highlighting the foretold virgin conception as a sign of God's presence.
Genesis 3:15Often called the 'proto-evangelium' or 'first gospel,' this passage speaks of a seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head, hinting at a unique, divinely-initiated birth for the ultimate triumph over evil.
John 1:14This verse proclaims that 'the Word became flesh,' echoing the miraculous conception described in Matthew and emphasizing the divine nature entering human history in a unique way.
Matthew 1:19-20These verses show Joseph's just reaction and the angel's intervention, which directly confirms the supernatural nature of Mary's pregnancy and provides divine reassurance to Joseph, underscoring the extraordinary circumstances.
barnesMatthew 1:18: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
Now the birth of Jesus Christ - The circumstances attending his birth. Was on this wise - In this manner. Espoused - Betrothed, or engaged to be married. There was commonly an interval of ten or twevle months, among the Jews, between the contract of marriage and the celebration of the nuptials (see Genesis 24:55; J…
pulpitMatthew 1:18: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
Verses 18-25. - JESUS THE CHRIST BY DIVINE ORIGIN. Recorded by Matthew only. The frequent similarity of language found in Luke 1:26-35 (vide 'Synopticon) is probably due to the fact that Joseph and Mary not unnaturally fell into the way of using the same words to express two messages of similar import. The object o…
The phrase "she was found to be with child" carries a subtle but important weight. It implies that this was not a secret, but rather an observable reality that came to light, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the situation and the immediate challenge it presented to Joseph. This wording emphasizes the surprising and public aspect of Mary's condition, even before Joseph's divine revelation.
This passage introduces the unique origin of Jesus' birth, emphasizing that it wasn't a typical human conception. It highlights Mary's betrothal to Joseph, a formal commitment in Jewish culture akin to marriage, and then immediately reveals the extraordinary news: she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph had lived together as husband and wife. This sets the stage for Joseph's dilemma and the divine intervention that follows to explain this miraculous event.
This passage introduces the unique origin of Jesus' birth, emphasizing that it wasn't a typical human conception. It highlights Mary's betrothal to Joseph, a formal commitment in Jewish culture akin to marriage, and then immediately reveals the extraordinary news: she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph had lived together as husband and wife. This sets the stage for Joseph's dilemma and the divine intervention that follows to explain this miraculous event.
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit." — The phrase "she was found to be with child" carries a subtle but important weight. It implies that this was not a secret, but rather an observable reality that came to light, highlighting the extraor…
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Last reviewed October 2026