November 1st 2026 Matthew ch 1 v 18 - 25
This part of the chapter is very well known.
Please don’t let that stop you from studying it again, new things emerge as we look at familiar scriptures things that we have not seen before
Birth of Christ. V 18-25. The circumstances of the birth are related from Joseph's standpoint, and some of the details had to be derived from him (e.g.,19.20).
If he had already died before Jesus' ministry began, as many infer from his absence of further mention, Mathew's information may have come from the brothers of Jesus.
V 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
18 Betrothed. Among the Jews marriage vows were said at the betrothal, and required divorce to end them. Custom decreed an interval, usually a year before the bride should take residence' in her husband's house and physical union be consummated.
During this interval Mary was found with child, a circumstance usually punishable by death (Deut 22 v 23, 24).
Apparently Mary did not explain her situation to Joseph but chose to leave this delicate matter in the hands of God. She could hardly have expected Joseph to accept her story without some divine authentication.
V 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
19. Public example, Rather than make a public accusation of fornication, with perhaps a demand for the full penalty of death, Joseph resolved to use the lax divorce laws and give Mary the writing of divorcement privately, with the accusation stated in a veiled way not giving full details.
To put her away means to divorce, not to break an engagement.
How he must have loved her! ….Love does strange things to mankind and God makes use of this
V 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
20. Thou son of David, This address by the angel ( possibly Gabriel? Lk 1:26) is a princely title.
Though Joseph was in humble circumstances, he was heir to the vacant Davidic throne.
The naming of the Holy Ghost as the agent in Mary's conception points clearly to the distinct personality of this Divine Being, and to the full awareness by ordinary Jews of this Person without further explanation.
V 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
21. Jesus is from the Hebrew for “Jehovah saves,” and points to the purpose of his coming.
His people relates Jesus to the Messianic promises made to Israel, although the cross would extend this salvation from sins to Gentiles as well.
The promise in Genesis ch 3 v 15 is for everyone as there was only Adam and Eve at the time, the promise linking the Messiah to the Jews came later on. But the crucifixion opened it up to Gentiles as well
V 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
V 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, “God with us”.
22,23. The miraculous conception is stated to be the fulfillment of Isa ch 7 v 14. Whether there was an earlier fulfillment in Isaiah's day is neither discussed nor suggested.
Possibly these words were spoken by the angel and so were an aid to Joseph's faith.
Emmanuel was not used as a proper name of Jesus, but describes his person as the Son of Cod.
V 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
V 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
24,25. Joseph ended the period of betrothal by taking Mary to live in his home so that Jesus at His birth would be his legitimate son and heir to the throne.
However, he knew her not sexually prior to the birth.
Neither till nor firstborn necessarily indicates what happened afterward. However, you would naturally infer that the normal relationship of marriage would follow, unless you are committed to defend the perpetual virginity of Mary.
Matthew betrays no such inclination and it goes against other biblical references to brothers of Jesus
News from the Church New dates
4th November..………Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
18th November ……. Knit and Natter group, all welcome, bring your own project or come to learn a
new one. Starts at 1 pm, come along any time after that
21st November………Christmas Fayre at 2-30pm
ANSWERS TO 25th October QUESTIONS
1) The Preacher 2) Solomon 3) Three 4) The old mans hands tremble 5) refers to failing eyesight
6) Probably means deafness 7) Refers to white hair 8) To fear God and keep His commandments
9) To everything there is a season 10) To every purpose under Heaven 11) He hath made everything beautiful in His time 12) When thou goest to the House of God 13) It is sweet 14) Ch 1 v 2
15) Precious ointment 16) In the bosom of fools
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Isaiah
1 What are the next 5 books of the bible called?
2 Can you name them?
3 Why are they called Major Prophets?
4 What was the main theme of a Prophet?
5 How many chapters in Isaiah?
6 How long was it written before Jesus came?
7 Who was Isaiah’s father?
8 What was the sign given to Ahaz about the Messiah?
9 What is the longest name in the Bible ( ch 8v 1)?
10 What are the Names given to the Messiah?
11 Who was the son of the morning who fell from Heaven?
12 Why was he cast out?
13 What great servant went naked for 3 years?
14 What does the Bible say about the way of Holiness ?
15 Which chapter is one of the clearest prophecies about Jesus?
16 What is the meaning of “Beulah”?
God Bless