Matthew 1:21-23
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The profound significance of Jesus' name is revealed not just as a title, but as a mission statement: "for he will save his people from their sins." This isn't just about rescuing them from external oppressors, as many Jews might have expected; it's a deep, internal salvation, freeing them from the very power and pollution of sin itself.
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
English Standard Version (ESV)
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing that Mary's pregnancy is by the Holy Spirit and instructing Joseph to name the child Jesus, for he will be the Savior. This divine intervention reassures Joseph and confirms the miraculous conception, setting the stage for Jesus's birth and his destined role.
Why give a baby a name that's also a job description? This name wasn't just a label; it was a divine announcement.
The angel's instruction to name the child Jesus is profound. The name 'Jesus' is the Greek form of the Hebrew name 'Joshua,' both meaning 'Yahweh saves' or 'The Lord is salvation.'
A Divine Mandate
This wasn't a suggestion; it was a divine command. Joseph was to give this child the name Jesus. This immediately connected the child to his purpose before he even took his first breath.
Salvation Defined
The angel clarifies why he's named Jesus: 'for he will save his people from their sins.' This is the core of his mission. It's not a partial or temporary salvation, but a comprehensive rescue from sin's power, guilt, and eternal consequence.
Who are 'his people,' and what does it truly mean to be saved from sin, not just in it?
The angel's declaration is specific: Jesus will save 'his people' from 'their sins.' This phrase carries significant weight.
'His People'
Initially, this referred to Israel, God's chosen people. However, the New Testament expands this to include all who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, who are incorporated into God's family through faith.
Salvation From Sin's Dominion
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The crucial phrase is 'from their sins.' This isn't about saving people while they remain in their sins, making life easier. It's about delivering them out of the power, guilt, and ultimate consequence of sin. True salvation transforms us, freeing us from sin's tyranny and reconciling us to God.
Understand the original words
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.
plēroō · Greek Verb
To bring to pass, complete, or realize what was promised or foretold by God in Scripture.
parthenos · Greek Noun
A young woman, specifically one who has not had sexual relations. In this context, it emphasizes the miraculous, supernatural nature of the Incarnation.
Emmanouēl · Hebrew/Greek Noun
A Hebrew name meaning 'God is with us,' highlighting the divine presence and fellowship God establishes with His people through the Incarnation.
The angel's declaration to Joseph about the name 'Jesus' (meaning 'Savior') immediately connects Jesus' identity to his ultimate mission. This wasn't just a name, but a divine mandate to deliver His people from their sins, a stark contrast to the earthly, political saviors many Jews were anticipating.
~1400 BC
Joshua leads Israel into Promised Land
The Old Testament figure Joshua, whose Hebrew name is similar to Jesus, led the Israelites into the Promised Land, foreshadowing Jesus' role in bringing His people to a spiritual inheritance.
c. 515 BC
High Priest Jeshua returns from Exile
Jeshua, the high priest who helped lead the Jewish return from Babylonian exile, also serves as a type, prefiguring Jesus' role in restoring God's people.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's prophecy of Immanuel
The prophet Isaiah foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Immanuel ('God with us'), a prophecy Matthew connects to Jesus' birth.
c. 6 BC - AD 4— this verse
Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod the Great, fulfilling the prophecies about the coming Messiah and Savior.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' public ministry begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, proclaiming the kingdom of God and calling people to repent and believe in him as the Savior.
This prophecy directly links the future Savior's birth to a virgin conception, paralleling the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth described in Matthew 1:21.
Luke 1:31This passage echoes the angel's announcement to Mary, stating she will conceive and give birth to a son whose name shall be Jesus, reinforcing the divine origin and purpose of his name.
John 1:14This verse declares that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, directly connecting to the Incarnation mentioned in Matthew 1:21 and highlighting Jesus' role in bringing salvation.
Titus 2:14This passage describes Jesus giving himself for us to redeem us from all lawless deeds and to purify for himself a people zealous for good works, mirroring the 'save his people from their sins' mission in Matthew 1:21.
Acts 4:12This verse emphatically states that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, underscoring the unique and exclusive saving power of Jesus as declared in Matthew 1:21.
barnesMatthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
His name Jesus - The name Jesus is the same as Saviour. It is derived from the verb signifying to save, In Hebrew it is the same as Joshua. In two places in the New Testament it is used where it means Joshua, the leader of the Jews into Canaan, and in our translation the name Joshua should have been retained, Acts 7:45 ; Hebrews 4:8 . It was a very common name among…
pulpitMatthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Verse 21. - The first half is almost verbally identical with the promise to Mary in Luke 1:31. It is, perhaps, hypercritical to see anything more than a coincidence when such common terms are used, but it was not unnatural that the communications of the angels to both Mary and Joseph should be purposely clothed in language similar to that used of Sarah (Genesis 17:1…
The profound significance of Jesus' name is revealed not just as a title, but as a mission statement: "for he will save his people from their sins." This isn't just about rescuing them from external oppressors, as many Jews might have expected; it's a deep, internal salvation, freeing them from the very power and pollution of sin itself.
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing that Mary's pregnancy is by the Holy Spirit and instructing Joseph to name the child Jesus, for he will be the Savior. This divine intervention reassures Joseph and confirms the miraculous conception, setting the stage for Jesus's birth and his destined role.
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing that Mary's pregnancy is by the Holy Spirit and instructing Joseph to name the child Jesus, for he will be the Savior. This divine intervention reassures Joseph and confirms the miraculous conception, setting the stage for Jesus's birth and his destined role.
"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and th…" — The profound significance of Jesus' name is revealed not just as a title, but as a mission statement: "for he will save his people from their sins." This isn't just about rescuing them from externa…
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Last reviewed October 2026
