Matthew 1:22 kjv

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Matthew 1:22 nkjv

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

Matthew 1:22 niv

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Matthew 1:22 esv

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Matthew 1:22 nlt

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 22 Meaning

Matthew 1:22 clarifies that the events surrounding Jesus' miraculous conception and birth, specifically described in the preceding verses (1:18-21), occurred by divine design. These happenings were not coincidental but were orchestrates by God to bring to completion prophecies previously declared by the Lord through His chosen prophets in the Old Testament. This verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, asserting Jesus' divine origin and His identity as the promised Messiah, validating His earthly narrative as part of God's long-foretold redemptive plan for humanity.

Matthew 1 22 Context

Matthew chapter 1 details the ancestry and extraordinary circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. After establishing Jesus' lineage from Abraham and David (1:1-17), the narrative shifts to the dramatic events leading to His conception. Joseph, Mary's betrothed, discovers her miraculous pregnancy and plans to discreetly divorce her. However, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream (1:20-21), revealing that Mary's child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He is to be named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:22 immediately follows this revelation, acting as a profound theological interpretation. It links these specific events of Jesus' supernatural birth directly to Old Testament prophecy, thereby providing divine validation and significance. For Matthew's primary Jewish audience, who were deeply rooted in the expectation of a Messiah foretold in their sacred scriptures, this fulfillment narrative was essential for understanding and accepting Jesus' true identity as the long-awaited King and Savior. It also countered any potential doubt or accusation regarding Mary's pregnancy, grounding it firmly in God's eternal plan.

Matthew 1 22 Word analysis

• Now (Τοῦτο δὲ - Touto de): The Greek conjunction de (δέ) signals a transition, often providing further explanation or consequence. "This" (Τοῦτο - Touto) refers collectively to the preceding events of Jesus' conception and Joseph's divine instruction (Matt 1:18-21).
• all (ὅλον - holon): Emphasizes the totality and comprehensive nature of the events. Every detail described, not just certain aspects, was part of God's predetermined plan.
• this was done (γεγένηται - gegenētai): The verb ginomai (γίνομαι), in the perfect indicative passive, means "to come into being," "to happen," or "to be done." The perfect tense signifies a completed action with lasting results, while the passive voice implies that an external agent—God—caused these things to happen. It stresses divine orchestration, not human initiative or mere coincidence.
• that it might be fulfilled (ἵνα πληρωθῇ - hina plērōthē):
  • that (ἵνα - hina): This Greek particle introduces a purpose clause, indicating the divine intention behind these events. God caused "all this" for the specific aim of fulfilling prophecy.
  • it might be fulfilled (πληρωθῇ - plērōthē): The aorist subjunctive passive of plēroō (πληρόω). Plēroō means "to fill," "to complete," or "to fulfill." In a prophetic context, it means that a prophecy finds its full, ultimate realization and perfect manifestation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The passive voice ("might be fulfilled") again highlights God as the active agent of fulfillment.
• which was spoken (τὸ ῥηθὲν - to rhēthen): An aorist passive participle of legō (λέγω, "to say" or "to speak"). This refers to the content that has already been spoken. Rhēma (ῥῆμα), the noun form, often denotes a divine utterance or a specific, authoritative word from God. The passive voice indicates it was spoken by someone (God) through another.
• of the Lord (ὑπὸ Κυρίου - hypo Kyriou):
  • of/by (ὑπὸ - hypo): Denotes the ultimate source or agent.
  • Lord (Κυρίου - Kyriou): This is the genitive case of Kyrios (Κύριος), meaning "Lord" or "Master." In the Old Testament, the Septuagint (LXX) often used Kyrios to translate the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh), the personal name of God. Here, it signifies the divine authorship and authority behind the prophecy.
• by the prophet (διὰ τοῦ προφήτου - dia tou prophētou):
  • by/through (διὰ - dia): Denotes the instrument or channel.
  • the prophet (τοῦ προφήτου - tou prophētou): Matthew immediately specifies this prophet as Isaiah in verse 23 (Isa 7:14). This emphasizes that God chose human instruments to deliver His divine word across generations. The article tou (τοῦ, "the") signifies a specific, well-known prophetic figure for the Jewish audience.
• saying (λέγοντος - legontos): Present participle of legō (λέγω). This transitions directly to the quotation of the prophecy itself in verse 23, presenting the prophetic word as currently speaking through the sacred text.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled": This common Matthean "fulfillment formula" emphasizes God's sovereign plan throughout history. It declares that Jesus' arrival is not a random event but the precise unfolding of divine purposes declared centuries in advance. This phrasing powerfully communicates that these events are directly attributable to God's initiative, confirming Jesus' Messianic claims for Matthew's Jewish readership.
• "which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet": This phrase meticulously delineates the source and transmission of prophecy: it originated from God (hypo Kyriou) as its ultimate author, and was delivered through human instruments (dia tou prophētou), His chosen prophets. This establishes the divine authority and trustworthiness of the Old Testament scriptures, portraying them not merely as human wisdom but as God's direct revelation.

Matthew 1 22 Bonus section

• Matthew uses "fulfillment formulas" (often beginning with "this was done to fulfill what was spoken...") more than any other Gospel writer, signaling his unique emphasis on the Old Testament's prophetic role in predicting Jesus' life and ministry. These formulas appear at crucial junctures in his narrative, from Jesus' birth to His crucifixion, making the entire Gospel a commentary on divine prophecy's fulfillment.
• The phrase "the prophet" (singular) referring to Isaiah, highlights the Septuagint's strong influence on Matthew. Isaiah 7:14, particularly the Greek translation using parthenos ("virgin"), was critical for Matthew's theological argument regarding Jesus' unique, miraculous conception, challenging conventional human understanding of birth and emphasizing divine intervention.

Matthew 1 22 Commentary

Matthew 1:22 is a foundational verse in Matthew's Gospel, revealing his core theological agenda: presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who perfectly fulfills God's ancient prophecies. This verse acts as Matthew's interpretive key, informing the reader how to understand the preceding narrative and much of what follows. It asserts divine control over the historical events surrounding Jesus' birth, elevating them from mundane occurrences to divinely orchestrated moments in salvation history. For Matthew's Jewish audience, this was paramount, demonstrating Jesus' authenticity by linking Him directly to the esteemed prophetic tradition of Israel. The consistent use of "fulfillment formulas" throughout his Gospel underlines this deliberate strategy. It's a reminder that God's Word, spoken long ago, unfailingly comes to pass according to His timing and plan. Practically, it encourages faith in God's detailed foreknowledge and purposeful direction in life's seemingly chaotic events, much like He meticulously guided the birth of His Son.