Items to Note
Matthew gives attention to Joseph hearing from the angel, while Luke already gave attention to Mary hearing from the angel. Remember that Luke focuses on women, but Matthew avoids them. Also, Matthew focuses on Old Testament Scripture while Luke reveals governmental detail. Matthew does not point out the lowly manner of Christ birth as Luke does, because of his audience being Jewish; it might cause doubt in their minds about Jesus being the Messiah.
V. 18
The Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to be pregnant. Notice the phrase “came together,” referring to before Joseph and Mary “came together,” is used to refer to the sexual relationship; this is a good concept to grasp when else where in the Bible.
V. 19
Initially, Joseph did not believe that Mary had remained a virgin, which is why he wanted to divorce her. Out of respect for her he wanted to do this secretly to spar her as much embarrassment as he could. Notice that engagement was a serious enough commitment that it took a divorce to end it.
V. 20-21
The angel changes Joseph’s mind.
V. 21
Jesus was to save mankind from sin.
V. 22-23
Matthew affirms the book of Isaiah as the Word of God in quoting Isaiah 7:14. The reference is the first of the Messianic prophecies.
V. 21, 23
Christ is named Jesus, but will be referred to as Immanuel.
V. 23
Jesus shall be called God with us, which shows his Deity. He is God, present with us.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
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