Matthew 1:23 kjv

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:23 nkjv

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Matthew 1:23 niv

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

Matthew 1:23 esv

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23 nlt

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means 'God is with us.'"

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 23 Meaning

Matthew 1:23 announces a foundational truth about Jesus: that He is miraculously conceived by a virgin and uniquely embodies the very presence of God with humanity. This verse directly quotes Isaiah 7:14, interpreting an ancient prophecy as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, thereby identifying Him as the divine Son whose very essence is "God with us"—both truly God and truly man dwelling among us.

Matthew 1 23 Context

Matthew 1:23 appears within the infancy narrative of Jesus, immediately following the divine explanation given to Joseph concerning Mary's miraculous pregnancy. The preceding verses establish Jesus' Davidic lineage through Joseph (though Jesus is not biologically Joseph's son, Joseph's legal fatherhood links Him to the royal line) and resolve Joseph's internal conflict about Mary's unexplained pregnancy. Matthew's primary purpose in his Gospel is to present Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel, the King prophesied in the Old Testament, and the Son of God. Therefore, quoting Isaiah 7:14 serves to directly connect Jesus' birth event to specific prophecies, proving to a primarily Jewish audience that Jesus fulfills the messianic expectations. The broader historical context is a Jewish society living under Roman occupation, longing for a deliverer from God, making the fulfillment of prophecy concerning a new King highly significant.

Matthew 1 23 Word analysis

• "Behold," (Greek: idou - ἰδοὺ): This is an interjection, functioning as a command to pay attention, an urgent invitation to see or consider. It often introduces a significant divine declaration or a surprising revelation, emphasizing the importance and prophetic nature of what is about to be stated.
• "the virgin" (Greek: hē parthenos - ἡ παρθένος): This word explicitly and unequivocally means a woman who has not had sexual relations. Matthew's choice of this Greek term aligns with the Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Hebrew almah (עַלְמָה) from Isaiah 7:14. While almah can mean a "young woman" of marriageable age, its use in a prophetic context for an impossible birth strongly implies virginity, which parthenos clarifies beyond doubt. This term is critical for establishing the unique, supernatural conception of Jesus.
• "shall conceive" (Greek: en gastri hexei - ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει): Literally "shall have in the belly/womb." The future tense signifies a definite and prophetic fulfillment. Combined with "the virgin," it emphasizes a conception not through natural human means.
• "and bear a Son," (Greek: kai texetai huion - καὶ τέξεται υἱόν): Refers to the physical act of giving birth to a male child. This highlights Jesus' full humanity; He would be a true human being, born of a woman, while retaining His divine nature.
• "and they shall call His name Immanuel," (Greek: kai kalesousin to onoma autou Emmanouēl - καὶ καλέσουσιν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἐμμανουήλ):
  • "they shall call": The indefinite "they" (third-person plural) can refer to people generally acknowledging this name, or perhaps more profoundly, it points to a divine designation and public recognition of His identity by God's plan. In biblical culture, a name often revealed character, identity, or destiny.
  • "His name Immanuel": (Hebrew: ʿImmanuʾel - עִמָּנוּאֵל): This is a compound Hebrew name.
    • ʿimmanu (עִמָּנוּ) means "with us."
    • ʾEl (אֵל) is a generic Semitic word for "God," often used for the God of Israel.
• "which translated means, "God with us."": Matthew provides a direct, inspired translation of "Immanuel" for his Greek-speaking audience, removing any ambiguity. This explicit interpretation emphasizes the profound theological truth: Jesus, by His very being and mission, is God uniquely and intimately present with humanity.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,": This phrase emphasizes the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth. The combination of "behold" (drawing attention), "the virgin" (impossible by natural means), and "shall conceive and bear a Son" (certain fulfillment of prophecy) underscores that this event is a unique act of God, fulfilling divine revelation rather than human planning.
• "and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, "God with us.": This entire clause defines Jesus' core identity and purpose. The name "Immanuel" is not merely a label but a profound theological declaration. It proclaims Jesus' deity ("God"), His humanity and accessibility ("with us"), and His active presence among humanity. It signifies the culmination of God's covenantal desire to dwell among His people, now perfectly realized in the incarnate Christ. This highlights the foundational doctrine of the Incarnation—God taking on human flesh.

Matthew 1 23 Bonus section

The designation "Immanuel" also subtly challenges existing views of deity common in the ancient world, which often depicted gods as removed or unapproachable. In contrast, Jesus, as "God with us," signifies an accessible, relational God who actively pursues and dwells with His creation. This foreshadows His entire ministry, where He would live among ordinary people, teach them, heal them, and ultimately die for them. Furthermore, while the name Immanuel is a significant descriptive title, Jesus is predominantly called "Jesus" (meaning "the LORD saves"), signifying His direct salvific mission (Mt 1:21). The theological weight of "Immanuel" describes who He is – God with us, whereas "Jesus" describes what He does – He saves. Both names are vital for understanding the complete Christ.

Matthew 1 23 Commentary

Matthew 1:23 is a cornerstone verse, powerfully affirming two core doctrines: the virgin birth of Jesus and His divine nature as God incarnate. By quoting Isaiah 7:14 and then translating "Immanuel," Matthew clarifies for his readers that Jesus is the direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy, validating His claim to Messiahship. The phrase "God with us" is not just a poetic description but a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It means that God is not a distant deity but has intimately entered human history and experience through Jesus. He fully identified with humanity in His life, death, and resurrection, making reconciliation with God possible. This concept reassures believers of God's abiding presence, His empathetic understanding of human suffering, and His personal involvement in their lives, serving as an ongoing comfort and a source of ultimate hope for His perpetual presence (e.g., in Mt 28:20 and Rev 21:3). For instance, in times of isolation or doubt, remembering that "God with us" implies that we are never truly alone and God deeply understands our human condition.