The Birth of Jesus

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

One could say that the Birth of Jesus is really not the subject of this section. It may be described as acceptance. A rather confusing statement comes from these verses. It says before they were married Joseph was her husband? 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 1:18–19. How can Joseph be her husband before they were married? And why is it important to understand what was going on? We never want anyone to stumble because of confusing scripture so here is what was happening. γενεσις (lit. 'genesis', meaning "beginning" or "birth", 1:18) Matthew uses this word twice in his first chapter (also 1:1). So, if we look at the Greek meaning to be a beginning rather than a birth, what would that beginning be? The second thing we should answer is the idea of Joseph being betrothed to Mary. In that time couples lives were arranged by their families. This Betrothal was a binding contract that took a time of one year for the couple to get acquainted. After that year they could become husband and wife. The conception through the Holy Spirit happened during this time.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

So, a couple of things were going on here, first, there was a strong penalty for having relations with the woman during that first year. (death) Secondly, Joseph was wanting to protect Mary’s good family name. 19. In Old Testament law the penalty for unchastity before marriage was stoning (Deut. 22:13–21),

R. T. France, Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 82.

This passages importance is in establishing Jesus’ lineage. In order to do this Joseph had to complete the marriage process.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

Perhaps the most important verse in this passage, and there are many important words in this passage, 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 1:24–25.