Matthew 1:20 - But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 1:20" mean?
This verse, Matthew 1:20, is a crucial part of the Nativity story and reveals a critical turning point for Joseph. Let's break it down:
"But when he thought about these things...": This refers back to the previous verses where Joseph, betrothed to Mary, discovered she was pregnant. He was a "just man" (Matthew 1:19), meaning he wanted to do what was right according to the law, but also kind. He didn't want to publicly shame Mary, so he planned to divorce her quietly. He was wrestling with a profound moral and ethical dilemma. He was in a state of internal deliberation about what to do.
"...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream...": While Joseph was considering his options, God intervened directly. The appearance of an angel, a messenger of God, is a divine revelation. The dream format signifies God communicating with Joseph in a private, intimate way.
"...saying, 'Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife...'": The angel addresses Joseph by name and identifies him as "son of David," a title with Messianic implications. This connection subtly reinforces the importance of Joseph's role in the story. The phrase "don't be afraid" suggests Joseph's primary emotion was fear, likely fear of public shame, legal ramifications, and potentially the implications of Mary's situation. The instruction to "take to yourself Mary, your wife" means to proceed with the marriage and accept her into his home as his wife, despite her pregnancy.
"...for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.": This is the core of the message and the reason for Joseph not to be afraid. The angel clarifies that Mary's pregnancy is not the result of infidelity or wrongdoing. It is a miraculous conception through the power of the Holy Spirit. This divine origin elevates the child to be conceived to divine status and absolves Mary of any wrongdoing.
In summary, the verse means:
Joseph, troubled by Mary's pregnancy and planning a quiet divorce, receives a divine message in a dream. An angel assures him that Mary's pregnancy is not a sign of infidelity but a miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. He is instructed to proceed with the marriage and accept Mary as his wife, playing his part in God's plan. The verse highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and the important role Joseph will play in raising him. It's a pivotal moment where Joseph chooses faith and obedience over fear and societal expectations.
Matthew 1:20 - But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
What does "Matthew 1:20" mean?
This verse, Matthew 1:20, is a crucial part of the Nativity story and reveals a critical turning point for Joseph. Let's break it down:
"But when he thought about these things...": This refers back to the previous verses where Joseph, betrothed to Mary, discovered she was pregnant. He was a "just man" (Matthew 1:19), meaning he wanted to do what was right according to the law, but also kind. He didn't want to publicly shame Mary, so he planned to divorce her quietly. He was wrestling with a profound moral and ethical dilemma. He was in a state of internal deliberation about what to do.
"...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream...": While Joseph was considering his options, God intervened directly. The appearance of an angel, a messenger of God, is a divine revelation. The dream format signifies God communicating with Joseph in a private, intimate way.
"...saying, 'Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife...'": The angel addresses Joseph by name and identifies him as "son of David," a title with Messianic implications. This connection subtly reinforces the importance of Joseph's role in the story. The phrase "don't be afraid" suggests Joseph's primary emotion was fear, likely fear of public shame, legal ramifications, and potentially the implications of Mary's situation. The instruction to "take to yourself Mary, your wife" means to proceed with the marriage and accept her into his home as his wife, despite her pregnancy.
"...for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.": This is the core of the message and the reason for Joseph not to be afraid. The angel clarifies that Mary's pregnancy is not the result of infidelity or wrongdoing. It is a miraculous conception through the power of the Holy Spirit. This divine origin elevates the child to be conceived to divine status and absolves Mary of any wrongdoing.
In summary, the verse means:
Joseph, troubled by Mary's pregnancy and planning a quiet divorce, receives a divine message in a dream. An angel assures him that Mary's pregnancy is not a sign of infidelity but a miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. He is instructed to proceed with the marriage and accept Mary as his wife, playing his part in God's plan. The verse highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and the important role Joseph will play in raising him. It's a pivotal moment where Joseph chooses faith and obedience over fear and societal expectations.