Matthew 1:18 kjv

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.

Matthew 1:18 nkjv

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18 niv

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18 esv

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.

Matthew 1:18 nlt

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 18 Meaning

Matthew 1:18 marks the beginning of the New Testament's account of Jesus Christ's miraculous birth. It succinctly declares that His conception was not through natural means but by the direct, creative power of the Holy Spirit, occurring while His mother Mary was legally bound in betrothal to Joseph but before they began to live together as husband and wife. This verse fundamentally establishes the divine origin of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1 18 Context

Matthew chapter 1 begins with a meticulous genealogy tracing Jesus Christ's lineage through Joseph back to Abraham and David, thereby establishing His rightful claim as the promised Messiah and King. Verse 18 then abruptly shifts from this historical lineage to the direct account of His miraculous conception. This verse initiates the "narrative" section of Jesus' birth story in Matthew, focusing specifically on Mary's supernatural pregnancy. Historically, Jewish betrothal (kiddushin) was a legally binding contract, typically lasting a year, and carried the weight of marriage. Any infidelity during this period was considered adultery and punishable by law. This strict societal and religious custom provides crucial context for understanding the moral dilemma faced by Joseph upon discovering Mary's pregnancy. Matthew's account here indirectly addresses potential scandal and human disbelief by emphasizing the divine agency involved, laying the foundation for a Christology that upholds Jesus' full deity from conception.

Matthew 1 18 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De - δὲ): A transitional particle. It signals a shift from the genealogy to the narrative of Jesus' birth, indicating that what follows is a new, significant development directly related to the identity of "Jesus Christ" mentioned previously.

• the birth (Greek: genesis - γένεσις): This word denotes "origin," "generation," or "coming into being." In the Septuagint, it often translates the Hebrew "toledot" (generations/accounts of), linking back to the genealogy (Mt 1:1, "The book of the genesis of Jesus Christ"). It points not just to the act of being born but to the specific manner of Jesus' inception.

• of Jesus Christ:

  • Jesus (Greek: Iēsou - Ἰησοῦ): From the Hebrew Yeshua or Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation." This name embodies His mission and identity as the one who will save His people from their sins.
  • Christ (Greek: Christou - Χριστοῦ): The Greek translation of the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah), meaning "Anointed One." This title signifies His office as the divinely appointed King, Priest, and Prophet, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

• was on this wise (Greek: houtōs en - οὕτως ἦν): "Thus it was," or "in this manner." It indicates that the following details explain how the birth (or more accurately, the conception and associated events) of Jesus Christ came about.

• When as his mother Mary (Greek: Marias tēs mētros autou - Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ): Specifically names Mary as His mother, focusing the immediate narrative on her. Mary's humble social standing highlights God's sovereign choice.

• was espoused (Greek: mnēsteutheisēs - μνηστευθείσης): A passive participle meaning "having been betrothed." This signifies a formal, legally binding arrangement, a stage much stronger than modern engagement, essentially a legal marriage though consummation (bringing the bride to the husband's house) had not yet occurred. It could only be dissolved by divorce.

• to Joseph (Greek: tō Iōsēph - τῷ Ἰōsὴφ): Joseph is critical as the legal father through betrothal, ensuring Jesus' link to David's line, a prerequisite for the Messiah according to Jewish expectations (2 Sam 7:12-16).

• before they came together (Greek: prin ē synelthein autous - πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς): Synelthein means "to come together," here implying conjugal cohabitation and sexual union. This crucial phrase directly affirms Mary's virginity prior to conception, underscoring the non-human agency of the pregnancy.

• she was found with child (Greek: eurethē en gastri echousa - εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα): "She was discovered to be pregnant." The passive voice "she was found" suggests a reality that became undeniable or known, presenting a major dilemma given the betrothal.

• of the Holy Ghost (Greek: ek Pneumatos Hagiou - ἐκ Πνεύmatos Ἁγίου): "From the Holy Spirit." This is the foundational theological statement of the verse. It asserts divine origination. The conception was a direct, creative act of God the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the unique divine nature of Jesus Christ from His very inception. It marks a unique divine intervention in human history.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise": Establishes the purpose of the verse: to explain the manner of Jesus' unique coming into the world, setting Him apart from ordinary humanity.
  • "his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together": Sets the legal, social, and physical context that makes Mary's pregnancy scandalous in human terms, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention and explanation. It preserves her honor by stating she was a virgin at conception.
  • "she was found with child of the Holy Ghost": Presents the divine resolution to the human impossibility. This phrase encapsulates the core Christian doctrine of the virgin birth (or virginal conception), indicating that Jesus' paternity is not human but divine, emphasizing His singular, unparalleled identity as God Incarnate.

Matthew 1 18 Bonus Section

• This verse effectively counters potential Jewish slander regarding Jesus' birth (e.g., later allegations found in the Talmud concerning Mary's adultery). Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, strategically includes Joseph's perspective (Mt 1:19-25) to affirm the divine truth, demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly scandalous circumstances.
• The emphasis on the "Holy Ghost" connects Jesus' origin directly to the creative power of God witnessed at creation (Gen 1:2) and in the conception of other miraculous births in the Old Testament, but taken to an unprecedented level here.
• The legal aspect of betrothal and Joseph's righteousness (Mt 1:19) are crucial: Joseph, facing a profoundly difficult situation, was contemplating a private divorce to spare Mary public disgrace, showing his compassion and adherence to the law before God intervened. This reinforces the incredible nature of God's direct communication to him to confirm Mary's innocence.
• The theological implication of ek Pneumatos Hagiou ("from the Holy Spirit") means that Jesus' very humanity was created by divine action, untainted by inherited sin, crucial for understanding His capacity to be a perfect sacrifice.

Matthew 1 18 Commentary

Matthew 1:18 is a pivotal verse, forming the theological hinge between Jesus' human lineage and His divine nature. After establishing Jesus' qualifications as the Davidic Messiah through legal descent, Matthew immediately presents the unparalleled miracle of His conception. By stating that Mary "was found with child of the Holy Ghost" while betrothed to Joseph and prior to marital cohabitation, the narrative firmly rejects any notion of illegitimacy and powerfully proclaims Jesus' supernatural origin. This divine intervention safeguards His sinless nature, as He did not inherit the sin nature passed down through human male lineage (Ps 51:5), a vital point for His role as Savior. The virgin birth signifies not only God's omnipotence but also His radical commitment to redeem humanity, providing the spotless Lamb whose blood alone could atone for sin. It underscores the unique identity of Jesus Christ as truly God and truly man, united in one person from the moment of conception, making Him uniquely qualified to bridge the chasm between humanity and a holy God.