Matthew 1:20-21
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)
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The angel’s address to Joseph as "son of David" isn't just a formality; it's a crucial reminder that Joseph is part of the lineage promised the Messiah. This appellation prepares Joseph to embrace the miraculous and understand that this child, conceived by the Spirit, fulfills the ancient Davidic covenant, not human expectations.
Joseph is deeply troubled by the news that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant before they have consummated their marriage. He grapples with what to do, intending to quietly end their engagement, when an angel appears to him in a dream. The angel reassures Joseph, explaining that Mary's pregnancy is the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, and instructs him to proceed with taking her as his wife.
Joseph was in a real bind. What do you do when your world is turned upside down by something you can't explain? God's message didn't come until he was truly wrestling with it.
A Pause for Consideration
Matthew 1:20 begins with Joseph "considering these things." This wasn't a snap decision; it was a period of deep thought and conflict. He was betrothed to Mary, and suddenly she was pregnant. The law had clear instructions for this situation, usually involving public shame or even death.
Wrestling with the Law and Love
An angel of the Lord speaks directly to Joseph, not just with information, but with divine authority. This wasn't a suggestion; it was a divine directive.
Divine Authority and Assurance
The appearance of "an angel of the Lord" signifies a direct communication from God's heavenly realm. This wasn't a mere vision or a personal feeling; it was a supernatural messenger carrying God's explicit will.
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.
Joseph's dilemma highlights the tension between Jewish law and divine intervention. The angel's appearance in a dream, a common method of divine communication in that era, provides clarity and resolves Joseph's internal conflict, allowing God's plan for the Messiah's birth to unfold.
c. 20 BC - 1 BC
Joseph and Mary are Betrothed
Joseph, a descendant of David, is betrothed to Mary. This was a formal agreement, legally binding as marriage, though the couple had not yet begun living together.
c. 3 BC - 2 BC
Mary Conceives by the Holy Spirit
The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, who will be the Son of God.
c. 3 BC - 2 BC— this verse
Joseph Learns of Mary's Pregnancy
Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant. As a righteous man, he is deeply troubled and intends to divorce her quietly to protect her reputation.
c. 3 BC - 2 BC
Angel Appears to Joseph in a Dream
An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him not to fear taking Mary as his wife, as her child is from the Holy Spirit.
Joseph's dreams and their divine interpretation by his family parallels the angelic dream guiding Joseph in Matthew 1:20, showing God revealing His plans through dreams in both Old and New Testaments.
Luke 1:26-38This passage describes the angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, directly preceding Joseph's dream, highlighting the miraculous conception from the Holy Spirit as the central message for both.
Isaiah 7:14The angel's message to Joseph is deeply rooted in this prophecy, as it directly fulfills the foretelling of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Immanuel.
Numbers 12:6-8This passage establishes dreams as a recognized means for God to communicate His will, reinforcing the legitimacy of the angelic appearance to Joseph in his dream, contrasting it with direct, face-to-face communication with Moses.
Matthew 2:13-23Similar to how Joseph received divine guidance in a dream concerning Jesus' birth, he later receives further instructions in dreams regarding the flight to Egypt and return, demonstrating God's continued protection and direction through this same method.
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 to Joseph as "son of David" isn't just a formality; it's a crucial reminder that Joseph is part of the lineage promised the Messiah. This appellation prepares Joseph to embrace the miraculous and understand that this child, conceived by the Spirit, fulfills the ancient Davidic covenant, not human expectations.
Joseph is deeply troubled by the news that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant before they have consummated their marriage. He grapples with what to do, intending to quietly end their engagement, when an angel appears to him in a dream. The angel reassures Joseph, explaining that Mary's pregnancy is the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, and instructs him to proceed with taking her as his wife.
Joseph is deeply troubled by the news that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant before they have consummated their marriage. He grapples with what to do, intending to quietly end their engagement, when an angel appears to him in a dream. The angel reassures Joseph, explaining that Mary's pregnancy is the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, and instructs him to proceed with taking her as his wife.
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Three Key Declarations
The most astonishing part of the angel's message is the divine origin of the child. This wasn't just any pregnancy; it was the very start of God's plan unfolding.
The Divine Origin
The phrase "from the Holy Spirit" is the linchpin of the angel's message and the entire Christmas narrative. It's the divine explanation that resolves Joseph's crisis and sets the stage for salvation history.
A Unique Divine Act
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.
c. 3 BC - 2 BC
Joseph Obeys and Takes Mary as Wife
Upon waking, Joseph obeys the angel's command and takes Mary as his wife, without marital relations until after the birth of Jesus.
c. 2 BC
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah being born of a virgin and a descendant of David.
"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 to Joseph as "son of David" isn't just a formality; it's a crucial reminder that Joseph is part of the lineage promised the Messiah. This appellation prepares Joseph to embrace th…
