Mat 1:18 The circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ were these. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they were united in marriage, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. WNT
Footnote : or “The origin of Jesus the Messiah was like this”
The Betrothal of Mary to Joseph.
Espoused (μνηστευθείσης: Rev., betrothed; Tynd., maryed)
The narrative implies a distinction between betrothal and marriage. From the moment of her betrothal a woman was treated as if actually married. The union could be dissolved only by regular divorce. Breach of faithfulness was regarded as adultery, and was punishable with death (Deu_22:23, Deu_22:24), and the woman's property became virtually that of her betrothed, unless he had expressly renounced it; but, even in that ease, he was her natural heir.VWS
before they were united in marriage,
So even though Mary was pledged in Marriage to Joseph they had had not been married yet nor had they consummated the marriage.
she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. WNT
she was discovered to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. ISV
she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit.GNB
when as, (gar) , for his mother Mary was found with child,
not of man, no, not of Joseph her husband; Christ had no real father as man, Joseph was only, as was supposed, his father; but
of the Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost
according to ( Luke 1:35 ) . "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee" and this was done that the human nature of Christ might be clear of original pollution; that so being the immediate produce of the Holy Ghost and without sin, it might be fit for union with the Son of God, and for the office of Mediator he had undertook. When Mary is said to be
found with child,
the meaning is, it appeared by evident signs, it was observed by Joseph particularly, who might know not only that she was with child, but with child of the Holy Ghost; by conversation with her, who might relate to him what passed between the Angel and her, ( Luke 1:28 Luke 1:36 ) though it looks as if as yet he did not know this, or at least was not fully satisfied about it; since he had a mind to have put her away, before he was assured of the truth of it, by the appearance of an angel to him.John Gill.
Mat 1:19 Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.
Joseph was a man who always did what was right,GNB He was righteous,
But Joseph, her husband to be, being just...MKJV
A Righteous Man (dikaios). Or just, not benignant or merciful. The same adjective is used of Zacharias and Elizabeth (Luk_1:6) and Simeon (Luk_2:25). “An upright man,” the Braid Scots has it. He had the Jewish conscientiousness for the observance of the law which would have been death by stoning (Deu_22:23). Though Joseph was upright, he would not do that. “As a good Jew he would have shown his zeal if he had branded her with public disgrace” (McNeile) RWP
but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly;
and not willing to make her a public example,
To make her a public example - Παραδειγματισαι, to expose her to public infamy; from παρα, near, and δεικνυμαι, I show, or expose; what is oddly, though emphatically, called in England, showing up - exposing a character to public view. Though Joseph was a righteous man, δικαιος, and knew that the law required that such persons as he supposed his wife to be should be put to death, yet, as righteousness is ever directed by mercy, he determined to put her away or divorce her privately, i.e. without assigning any cause, that her life might be saved; and, as the offense was against himself, he had a right to pass it by if he chose. Some have supposed that the term δικαιος should be translated merciful, and it certainly often has this signification; but here it is not necessary.A.Clark
to expose her (see Deu_22:23, Deu_22:24)
So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. GW
he purposed to put her away secretly. MKJV
he had in mind to divorce her quietly NIV
The law of Moses gave the husband the power of divorce, Deu_24:1. It was customary in a bill of divorce to specify the causes for which the divorce was made, and witnesses were also present to testify to the divorce. But in this case, it seems, Joseph resolved to put her away without specifying the cause; for he was not willing to make her a public example. This is the meaning here of “privily.” Both to Joseph and Mary this must have been a great trial. Joseph was ardently attached to her, but her character was likely to be ruined, and he deemed it proper to separate her from him. Mary was innocent, but Joseph was not yet satisfied of her innocence. We may learn from this to put our trust in God. He will defend the innocent. Mary was in danger of being exposed to shame. Had she been connected with a cruel, passionate, and violent man, she would have died in disgrace. Barnes Notes
Mat 1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child through the Holy Spirit. WNT
But while he was contemplating this step
He thought on these things - He did not act hastily. He did not take the course which the law would have permitted him to do, if he had been hasty, violent, or unjust. It was a case deeply affecting his happiness, his character, and the reputation and character of his chosen companion. God will guide the thoughtful and the anxious. And when we have looked patiently at a perplexed subject, and know not what to do, then God, as in the case of Joseph, will interpose to lead us and direct our way. Psa_25:9.
Psa 25:9 He leads humble people to do what is right, and he teaches them his way.
Psa 25:10 Every path of the LORD is one of mercy and truth for those who cling to his promise and written instructions. GW
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph,.....
Guided by the Lord through a Dream..”The word “angel” literally means a messenger. It is applied chiefly in the Scriptures to those invisible holy beings who have not fallen into sin: who live in heaven (1Ti_5:21; compare Jud_1:6); and who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation.Barnes
Heb 1:13 To which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND TILL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL FOR THY FEET"?
Heb 1:14 Are not all angels spirits that serve Him--whom He sends out to render service for the benefit of those who, before long, will inherit salvation?
The angels are employed to render “aid” or “assistance” to others - to wit, to Christians. “Sent forth.” Appointed by God for this. They are “sent;” are under his control; are in a subordinate capacity.
Thus, Gabriel was sent forth to convey an important message to Daniel; Dan_9:21-23. “To minister.” For the help or succour of such. They come to render them assistance - and, if employed in this humble office, how much inferior to the dignity of the Son of God - the Creator and Ruler of the worlds! “Who shall be heirs of salvation.” To the saints; to Christians. They are called “heirs of salvation” because they are adopted into the family of God, and are treated as his sons; see notes on Rom_8:14-17. Barnes
Mat 1:21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to call His name JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their sins." WNT
“you are to call His name JESUS for He it is who will save His People from their sins.”
His name Jesus - The name Jesus is the same as Saviour. It is derived from the verb signifying to save, In Hebrew it is the same as Joshua. In two places in the New Testament it is used where it means Joshua, the leader of the Jews into Canaan, and in our translation the name Joshua should have been retained, Act_7:45; Heb_4:8. It was a very common name among the Jews.
Ἰησοῦς Iēsous [ee-ay-sooce']
Of Hebrew origin [H3091]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.
H3091 יהושׁע יהושׁוּע yehôshûa‛ yehôshûa‛ [yeh-ho-shoo'-ah, yeh-ho-shoo'-ah]
From H3068 and H3467; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (that is, Joshua), the Jewish leader: - Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954, H3442.
for He it is who will save His People from their sins." WNT
will save
G4982 σώζω sōzō sode'-zo
From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
from their sins G266 ἁμαρτία hamartia Thayer Definition: 1) equivalent to 264 1a) to be without a share in 1b) to miss the mark
1c) to err, be mistaken 1d) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour,to do or go wrong 1e) to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin.
2) that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act
3) collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many
Part of Speech: noun feminine
From their sins - Barnes This was the great business of Jesus in coming and dying. It was not to save people in their sins, but from their sins. Sinners could not be happy in heaven. It would be a place of wretchedness to the guilty. The design of Jesus was, therefore, to save them from sin; and from this we may learn:
1. That Jesus had a design in coming into the world. He came to save his people; and that design will surely be accomplished. It is impossible that in any part of it he should fail.
2. We have no evidence that we are his people unless we are saved from the power and dominion of sin. A mere profession of being His people will not answer. Unless we give up our sins; unless we renounce the pride, pomp, and pleasure of the world, we have no evidence that we are the children of God. It is impossible that we should be Christians if we indulge in sin and live in the practice of any known iniquity. See 1Jo_3:7-8.
3. That all professing Christians should feel that there is no salvation unless it is from sin, and that they can never be admitted to a holy heaven hereafter unless they are made pure, by the blood of Jesus, here.
Mat 1:22 All this took place in fulfilment of what the Lord had spoken through the Prophet,
The Fulfilment of The Word of the Lord
G4137 πληρόω plēroō to make full or complete
2c) to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise 2c1) of matters of duty: to perform, execute
2c2) of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
2c3) to fulfil, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment
Part of Speech: verb
Mat 1:23 "MARK! THE MAIDEN WILL BE WITH CHILD AND WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY WILL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL" --a word which signifies 'GOD WITH US'. WNT
Mat 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)ESVSee Isaiah 9:6
Behold, a virgin shall be with child - Matthew clearly understands this as applying literally to a virgin. Compare Luk_1:34. It thus implies that the conception of Christ was miraculous, or that the body of the Messiah was created directly by the power of God, agreeably to the declaration in Heb_10:5; “Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.” Barnes
and will give birth to a son
will give birth G5088 τίκτω tiktō
Thayer Definition:
1) to bring forth, bear, produce (fruit from the seed)
1a) of a woman giving birth
1b) of the earth bringing forth its fruits
1c) metaphorically to bear, bring forth
The Importance of the birth of Christ
1. The importance of the event to which Isaiah looks forward, and which the evangelist describes as fulfilled.
1. The occurrence was of a preternatural character. To raise us from degradation Christ Himself must be sinless. Evil had descended. How was this fatal entail to be cut off? The virgin birth was the answer.
2. Christ’s birth marked the entrance into the sphere of sense and time of One who had existed from eternity.
3. No other birth has ever involved such important consequences to the human race.
[The Biblical Illustrator]He is EMMANUEL - God is with us.
Mat 1:23 "The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel," which means "God is with us."
I. Christ came as God with man.
1. To live with man.
2. With man, to die for him.
3. With man, to rise from the dead for him.
4. With man, to ascend and intercede for him.
II. God is with his people.
1. He is with them in their lives.
2. In their labours.
3. In their trials and afflictions.
4. In their worship. In death and in glory. (C. H. Wetherbe.)
Influence gained by oneness of condition
A Moravian missionary once went to the West Indies, to preach to the slaves. He found it impossible for him to carry out his design so long as he bore to them the relation of a mere missionary. They were driven into the field very early in the morning, and returned late at night with scarcely strength to roll themselves into their cabins, and in no condition to be profited by instruction. They were savage toward all of the race and rank of their masters. He determined to reach the slaves by becoming himself a slave. He was sold, that he might have the privilege of working by their side, and preaching to them as he worked with them. Do you suppose the master or the pastor could have touched the hearts of those miserable slaves as did that man who placed himself in their condition, and went among them, and lived as they lived, suffered as they suffered, toiled as they toiled, that he might carry the gospel to them? This missionary was but following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who took on Him the nature of men, came among them, and lived as they lived, that He might save them from their sins. (Beecher.)
In what sense is Christ God with us? In His incarnation united to our nature-God with man-God in man. He is God with us to comfort, enlighten, protect, and defend us in time of temptation and trial, and in the hour of death, and God with us, and in us, and we with and in Him to all eternity. (A. Clarke. LL. D.)
The Obedience of Joseph to the Angel of the Lord
Mat 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife.
Mat 1:25 He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus. GW
John Gill ”He did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him; firmly believing that it was a messenger of God that was sent to him, and that this matter was of the Lord. Wherefore he
took unto him his wife, that is, he publicly married her, whom he had before espoused, took her to his house, or continued her there, lived with her as his wife, and owned her to be such, and hence forwards had no more thoughts of putting her away.”
Lisa Lim 
[Deuteronomy 6:18]
Obedience demonstrates your willingness and trust to follow through on what God says is best for you. Obedience is the visible expression of your love. Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so all will go well with you.
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