Matthew 1:20 kjv

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.

Matthew 1:20 nkjv

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:20 niv

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:20 esv

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.

Matthew 1:20 nlt

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 20 Meaning

Matthew 1:20 reveals God's divine intervention through an angelic message to Joseph, dispelling his internal turmoil regarding Mary's unexpected pregnancy. The angel clarifies that Mary's child is not a result of human infidelity but of a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This message instructs Joseph to proceed with taking Mary as his wife, thereby legitimizing Jesus within the Jewish societal framework and solidifying His legal lineage to David through Joseph.

Matthew 1 20 Context

Matthew chapter 1 establishes Jesus Christ's lineage through Joseph, emphasizing His identity as the "Son of David" and "Son of Abraham." The verse immediately precedes Jesus' birth, following Mary's conception by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, discovered her pregnancy before they had "come together," placing him in a legal and moral dilemma. Under Jewish law (Deut 22:20-21), Mary could be accused of adultery and subjected to public shame or even stoning. Joseph, being a "just" man, intended to divorce her privately to spare her public humiliation. This verse represents the pivotal moment where God directly intervenes to clarify the divine nature of the conception and command Joseph's response, validating Jesus' origin to Matthew's primarily Jewish-Christian audience and countering any potential claims of illegitimacy.

Matthew 1 20 Word analysis

• But: Signals a significant shift, from Joseph's internal contemplation and troubled state to divine intervention and action. It introduces a turning point in the narrative.
• while he thought on these things: (Greek: enthymoumenou auton tauta) Reflects Joseph's deep mental deliberation and anxiety regarding Mary's perceived transgression and the implications of the situation. It shows his righteousness in seeking a just, albeit private, resolution.
• behold: (Greek: idou) An interjection commonly used in the Gospels, especially Matthew, to draw the reader's attention to an important, often divine, manifestation or revelation that is about to occur. It indicates the arrival of something miraculous or significant.
• the angel of the Lord: (Greek: angelos Kyriou) Refers to a divine messenger, directly commissioned by God. In the Old Testament, this phrase sometimes denotes a Christophany or Theophany (God Himself appearing), while in the New Testament, it usually refers to a specific angel acting on God's behalf. It underscores the divine authority and truth of the message.
• appeared unto him in a dream: (Greek: kat' onar ephane auto) This specific phrase indicates God's chosen method of communication with Joseph. Dreams were a recognized medium for divine revelation in the biblical world, especially prominent in Matthew's Gospel (Mat 2:13, 19, 22), thereby validating the message's source as supernatural and trustworthy to the Jewish audience.
• saying: Indicates the message was spoken clearly and directly.
• Joseph: A direct, personal address, confirming the message is specifically for him.
• thou son of David: A crucial appellation. It connects Joseph and, through his legal adoption/acceptance, Jesus directly to the Messianic lineage promised in the Old Testament (2 Sam 7:12-16). This reinforces Matthew's primary theme of Jesus as the Kingly Messiah fulfilling prophecy for his Jewish readers, legitimizing Jesus' royal claim even without biological paternity from Joseph.
• fear not: (Greek: mē phobou) A common angelic salutation intended to calm and reassure. Joseph's fear would stem from his confusion and the serious societal implications of Mary's pregnancy; this command removes that apprehension, assuring him that what he is about to hear is from God and is for his good.
• to take unto thee Mary thy wife: (Greek: paralabein Mariam tēn gynaika sou) "Take unto thee" implies receiving her fully as his rightful spouse into his home, as their betrothal was already a binding legal union. It means completing the marriage process, despite her pregnancy, affirming her innocence and his acceptance of the divine circumstances. "Thy wife" emphasizes that despite the unusual circumstances, she remains legally his wife by betrothal.
• for that which is conceived in her: (Greek: to gar en autē gennēthen) Directly addresses Joseph's core concern: the paternity of the child. It refutes any implication of human sin or infidelity on Mary's part.
• is of the Holy Ghost: (Greek: ek Pneumatos Hagiou estin) This is the definitive declaration of supernatural conception. It states unequivocally that Jesus' origin is not biological from human parents, but from the creative power of God's Holy Spirit. This establishes Jesus' divine nature from the moment of conception, making His birth truly unique and unparalleled. This aligns with Luke 1:35 where the Holy Spirit "overshadows" Mary.

Matthew 1 20 Bonus section

• Matthew, writing primarily to a Jewish audience, emphasizes fulfillment of prophecy and the legal lineage of Jesus through Joseph. Luke's account (Lk 1) gives more detail about Mary's perspective, while Matthew focuses on Joseph, recognizing the patriarchal structure important for Jewish readers concerning lineage.
• Joseph's "righteousness" in v.19 means he adhered strictly to God's law but also showed compassion, intending a private divorce rather than public accusation, saving Mary from harsh penalties (Deut 22:20-21). The angel's appearance redirects his righteous intent to divine command.
• The repetitive use of dreams for divine communication to Joseph (Mat 1:20; 2:13, 19, 22) highlights Joseph's faith and obedience, portraying him as a figure of consistent trust in God's specific instructions for the Holy Family's protection and guidance.

Matthew 1 20 Commentary

Matthew 1:20 marks a critical turning point in the biblical narrative, showcasing God's direct intervention to ensure the smooth, legitimate, and divinely ordained birth of Jesus. Joseph, a righteous man facing a profound personal and social dilemma, is provided divine clarity and instruction. The angelic message not only resolves Joseph's immediate conflict by explaining Mary's conception through the Holy Spirit but also reinforces central theological truths. Firstly, it safeguards Mary's integrity and prevents public disgrace, affirming her unique role in God's plan. Secondly, it solidifies Jesus' Messianic lineage by commanding Joseph to act as His legal father, thereby connecting Him to the covenantal promises made to David. Lastly, it highlights Jesus' unique divine origin, born not of human will or means, but entirely through the power of God. This verse underscores the reality of Jesus as both fully human (through Mary and Joseph's legal lineage) and fully divine (conceived by the Holy Spirit).