Matthew 1:18-22

In fulfillment of the Old Testament the legal Davidic lineage of Jesus was passed down by Joseph the stepfather. The divine lineage was brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit who came upon Mary so that she conceived the Son of God. Jesus Christ was all God and all Man in order to bring the perfection of the Trinity to save imperfect, fallen man. God called and Mary and Joseph listened!

Just as Joseph became the willing adopted father of the Son of God so we have the privilege to be called the adopted sons of God through the willingness of Jesus Christ to give His life in exchange for ours!

Universally, the basic element of marriage is a contract. In Jewish culture, this covenant was made about a year before the consummation of the marriage. It was during the one-year period of betrothal that Mary was found to be pregnant. The fact that Mary was a virgin at this time is clearly implied by the phrase before they came together, and by the righteous character of Joseph and his desire to divorce Mary when her pregnancy became known. Joseph wanted to divorce Mary on the grounds of infidelity. A divorce would be necessary because they had already made a marriage covenant, even though they had not yet known each other physically. Joseph could have made the divorce a public matter, or he could have gone through a private ceremony before two witnesses. Being a gracious and just man, Joseph decided to keep it private.

Verses 1–17 establish Jesus as a legal son of Joseph. Verses 18–25 deny that Joseph was Jesus’ physical father. The first was necessary to establish Jesus’ lineage to David and His royal right to be King. The second was necessary to establish His qualifications to be the Savior of all people: Jesus was God’s Son and not merely Joseph’s.

Matthew 1:18-22                                                                                                                           

18 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. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 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. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”