Matthew 1:24 kjv

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Matthew 1:24 nkjv

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

Matthew 1:24 niv

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Matthew 1:24 esv

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Matthew 1:24 nlt

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 24 Meaning

Matthew 1:24 depicts Joseph's decisive and faithful obedience to God's command. After being divinely informed in a dream about the supernatural conception of Jesus, Joseph abandoned his previous intention to quietly separate from Mary and instead publicly completed their marriage by taking her into his home as his wife. This action was a direct act of faith and compliance with God's will, signifying his acceptance of his role as the earthly father of the Messiah and his protection of Mary and Jesus' lineage.

Matthew 1 24 Context

Matthew 1:24 follows the significant revelation Joseph received in a dream in verse 20-23. Previously, Joseph, described as a "just" (righteous) man, planned to "put Mary away quietly" (Matt 1:19) after discovering her pregnancy, as he was unwilling to publicly disgrace her yet also didn't understand the circumstances. The angelic message clarified that Mary's pregnancy was by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth. This verse, therefore, marks Joseph's obedient pivot from his initial, humanly righteous decision to aligning with God's divine plan, actively taking Mary as his wife and accepting the sacred mystery surrounding Jesus' birth. This act completed the marriage process in Jewish custom, which legally required the man to "take" his betrothed into his home to consummate the union.

Matthew 1 24 Word analysis

• When Joseph woke up (ἐγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰωσὴφ - egertheis de ho Iōsēph):
  • Egertheis (from egeirō) signifies more than just passively awakening. It suggests rising or being roused, implying a purposeful response to the divine encounter. It underscores the immediacy and determination of his action upon receiving the heavenly command.
  • This highlights Joseph's quick resolve after his dream, showing he did not hesitate or second-guess the divine instruction.
• he did (ἐποίησεν - epoieesen):
  • Imperfect tense of poieō, indicating a completed action with lasting effect. It suggests a decisive, immediate compliance with the command. It's not just a thought or agreement but an active carrying out of the instruction.
  • Emphasizes Joseph's practical obedience and implementation of the divine will.
• what the angel of the Lord had commanded him (ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου - hōs prosetaxen autō ho angelos Kuriou):
  • Prosetaxen (from prostassō) means "to command" or "to order decisively." This term carries strong authority, indicating that the angel's message was not merely advice or a suggestion, but a direct, binding directive from God.
  • Angelos Kuriou ("angel of the Lord") is a phrase frequently used in the Old Testament, denoting a divine messenger who often speaks with God's direct authority. This validates the source and supreme nature of the command given to Joseph.
  • This phrase underscores that Joseph's actions were directly prompted by divine revelation and not by human logic or societal pressure.
• and took Mary home (καὶ παρέλαβεν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ - kai parelaben tēn gunaika autou):
  • Paralabēn (from paralambanō) means "to take alongside," "to receive," or "to welcome." In the context of marriage, this verb specifically refers to the formal act of a groom bringing his betrothed wife into his home to complete the marriage covenant and begin cohabitation.
  • This was the final, public, and legal step in Jewish marriage, transforming Mary from betrothed to fully wedded in the community's eyes. It was a crucial public affirmation of Mary's position and the legitimacy of Jesus' pending birth.
• as his wife (τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ - tēn gunaika autou):
  • The definite article "the" with "wife" confirms Mary's legal status, emphasizing that Joseph fully recognized her as his legitimate spouse in accordance with the divine will, despite her miraculous conception. This statement immediately after "took home" signifies the purpose of that action: formal completion of the marital bond.
  • This public acknowledgment protected Mary from the disgrace of unexplained pregnancy and solidified the human framework for the Messiah's lineage through Joseph.

Matthew 1 24 Bonus section

• Silent Strength: Joseph is depicted as a man of action rather than words. His obedience here, and throughout the subsequent passages in Matthew (fleeing to Egypt, returning from Egypt), speaks volumes about his quiet strength, integrity, and deep reverence for God's will. He models true righteousness as demonstrated through humble obedience.
• Trust Over Reason: This verse highlights the profound spiritual lesson that divine commands can transcend human logic or conventional righteousness. Joseph had every human reason to "put her away," yet he chose to believe and obey God's supernatural explanation.
• The Divine Purpose: Joseph's decision was integral to God's broader redemptive plan. By marrying Mary, Joseph provided a legal father for Jesus within Jewish society, establishing His lineage through David as recorded in Matthew 1:1-17. This obedience served as a foundational act for the Incarnation.
• Protection of God's Plan: Joseph's action ensured Mary's reputation was preserved and protected, vital for the early community's reception of the miraculous birth story. It publicly acknowledged her as his wife, thereby giving social legitimacy to her impending motherhood.

Matthew 1 24 Commentary

Matthew 1:24 provides a concise yet profound illustration of faithful obedience. Joseph, presented earlier as a righteous man torn by the unusual circumstances of Mary's pregnancy, is offered a divine resolution through the angel's message. His response—immediate and complete compliance—is key. He doesn't question or delay; he acts precisely as God's messenger commands. "Taking Mary home as his wife" signifies not just a personal agreement but a public, legal fulfillment of their marital covenant, defying social implications or his previous intentions. This obedience was crucial not only for Joseph and Mary's integrity but also for securing the legal and social context necessary for Jesus' birth and upbringing within a recognized family structure, bridging His divine origin with a legitimate human lineage in the eyes of society. Joseph's faithfulness ensured that the birth of God's Son was welcomed into a home marked by trust in the divine plan.