Matthew 1:20-21
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The angel's address, "Joseph, son of David," isn't just a polite greeting; it's a vital reminder of Joseph's lineage and the Messianic promises tied to it, preparing him to accept this seemingly impossible divine event within that royal line. The angel's directive to "fear not to take Mary as your wife" directly addresses Joseph's distress and potential shame, assuring him that embracing her and their child is not only safe but divinely mandated.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph is in a difficult predicament: his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant before they have lived together as husband and wife. Wrestling with this, he plans to quietly end their engagement, a course of action that would protect Mary's reputation but still acknowledges something is deeply wrong. At this very moment of his silent struggle, an angel appears in a dream to reveal the miraculous truth: the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph should not fear to marry Mary.
Joseph was in a tough spot. Facing a scandal that could ruin his reputation and Mary's, he didn't lash out. Instead, he wrestled with the situation. God met him right there.
The Waiting Period
Joseph's internal struggle – 'while he thought on these things' – shows he wasn't rash. He considered the legal and personal implications before acting. This thoughtful pause is crucial.
Divine Timing
Often, when we're anxious and uncertain, wrestling with difficult decisions, that's precisely when God steps in. He doesn't always rescue us before the struggle, but often during it, guiding our thoughts and fears. Joseph's situation wasn't resolved by his own cleverness, but by divine revelation delivered in a dream, offering a clear path forward when he felt lost.
The angel's message drastically redefines what it means to be 'pure' and 'family' in this extraordinary situation. It challenges conventional understanding and points to a divine standard.
Divine Conception, Divine Purity
The core of the message is: 'that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.' This isn't just about Mary's innocence; it's about the divine origin of the child. This supernatural conception means the child is set apart, 'holy,' and pure in a way no ordinary human birth could be.
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A New Definition of 'Wife' and 'Family'
Joseph is told to 'take Mary as your wife.' This command re-establishes their union, but now on entirely new grounds. Mary isn't tainted; she's chosen. The child isn't a product of human union but of divine power. Joseph's role as 'son of David' is affirmed, but now he's called to be the earthly father of the Messiah, fulfilling a divine plan that transcends typical family structures and human expectations.
Understand the original words
angelos · Greek Noun
A celestial messenger sent by God to deliver His message to humanity. Angels act as ministers of God's will and are frequently involved in the pivotal events of redemptive history.
hyios Dauid · Greek Noun phrase
A biological and covenantal designation highlighting Joseph's lineage as a descendant of the great King of Israel, establishing the legal line of succession for the Messiah through Joseph.
Iēsous · Greek Noun
The personal name given to the Son of God, meaning 'The Lord is salvation.' It signifies His mission to rescue His people from the penalty, power, and presence of sin.
sōzō · Greek Verb
To deliver, rescue, or preserve from danger, destruction, or, most importantly in a biblical context, from the consequences and dominion of sin.
hamartia · Greek Noun
Missing the mark of God's moral law or standard; an act or state of rebellion that alienates humanity from God and requires atonement.
Joseph's thoughtful contemplation and the divine dream reveal God's care for the righteous, guiding them through complex situations and confirming the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception.
c. 2 BC
The Annunciation to Mary
The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, the virgin betrothed to Joseph, to announce that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be the Messiah.
c. 2 BC— this verse
Joseph's Dilemma and Divine Intervention
Upon learning of Mary's pregnancy, Joseph, a righteous man, considers divorcing her privately to avoid public shame. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, explaining the miraculous conception and instructing him to take Mary as his wife.
c. 2 BC
Joseph Takes Mary as His Wife
Obeying the angelic command, Joseph takes Mary into his home as his wife, not consummating the marriage until after the birth of Jesus.
c. 1 BC
The Birth of John the Baptist
Mary's relative Elizabeth, who was previously thought to be barren, conceives and gives birth to John the Baptist, a cousin to Jesus.
c. 1 AD
The Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the Roman census, fulfilling prophecies and marking the beginning of his earthly ministry.
This passage directly parallels the angel's explanation to Joseph by describing the Holy Spirit's role in Mary's conception, emphasizing the supernatural nature of Jesus' birth.
Isaiah 7:14The angel's message to Joseph is a direct fulfillment of this prophecy, which foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, God with us.
Matthew 2:13This passage shows another instance where an angel appears to Joseph in a dream to give him crucial instructions regarding the infant Jesus, highlighting God's continued guidance through dreams for Joseph.
1 Corinthians 1:20This verse speaks of God's wisdom in making foolish the wisdom of the world, which connects to how God used a dream, a seemingly 'foolish' method to the world, to reveal His profound plan for salvation through Joseph's understanding.
Genesis 37:5-11This passage demonstrates the Old Testament precedent of God using dreams to communicate significant messages and reveal His will, similar to how the angel communicated with Joseph.
barnesMatthew 1:20: "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
He thought on these things - He did not act hastily. He did not take the course which the law would have permitted him to do, if he had been hasty, violent, or unjust. It was a case deeply affecting his happiness, his character, and the reputation and…
clarkeMatthew 1:20: "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
That which is conceived (or formed) in her - So I think γεννηθεν should be translated in this place: as it appears that the human nature of Jesus Christ was a real creation in the womb of the virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the L…
The angel's address, "Joseph, son of David," isn't just a polite greeting; it's a vital reminder of Joseph's lineage and the Messianic promises tied to it, preparing him to accept this seemingly impossible divine event within that royal line. The angel's directive to "fear not to take Mary as your wife" directly addresses Joseph's distress and potential shame, assuring him that embracing her and their child is not only safe but divinely mandated.
Joseph is in a difficult predicament: his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant before they have lived together as husband and wife. Wrestling with this, he plans to quietly end their engagement, a course of action that would protect Mary's reputation but still acknowledges something is deeply wrong. At this very moment of his silent struggle, an angel appears in a dream to reveal the miraculous truth: the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph should not fear to marry Mary.
Joseph is in a difficult predicament: his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant before they have lived together as husband and wife. Wrestling with this, he plans to quietly end their engagement, a course of action that would protect Mary's reputation but still acknowledges something is deeply wrong. At this very moment of his silent struggle, an angel appears in a dream to reveal the miraculous truth: the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph should not fear to marry Mary.
"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a s…" — The angel's address, "Joseph, son of David," isn't just a polite greeting; it's a vital reminder of Joseph's lineage and the Messianic promises tied to it, preparing him to accept this seemingly impo…
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Last reviewed October 2026
