Reflections on Matthew 1:18-25

Reflections on Matthew 1:18-25 by John W. Ritenbaugh

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (20) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (21) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. (22) So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: (23) Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. (24) Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, (25) and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Joseph seems to have been a naturally kind and caring man, well-suited to Mary. Like her, he did not fly off the handle when he received the perplexing news of the Child to be born to his unmarried fiancée. He was thoughtful, considering the best way to handle the situation.

In his day, a woman could receive lifelong shame for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. He desired to "put her away" as quietly as possible without bringing any further shame upon Mary - or himself, for that matter.

While he was still mulling it over, an angel, probably Gabriel, appeared to him in a dream.

Throughout this episode, Joseph is shown to be a humble, pious, obedient man. He took what the angel said without complaint or question or even reply. Once he was aroused from sleep, Joseph did just as the angel commanded him. The angel's word was enough. The man was convinced. He would comply.

Gabriel told Joseph almost the same things he said to Mary. It seems somewhat odd, though, since it was through Joseph that Jesus would physically claim David's throne, that the angel did not mention that Jesus would be King.

This is also interesting because, throughout his Gospel, Matthew constantly mentioned Jesus' royal nature. Instead, Gabriel told Joseph that Mary's Son, whom everyone would think was his Son, would be named Jesus, "for He will save His people from their sins." He also reiterated that He would be God with us and that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit.

These points hint that Joseph was more interested in spiritual matters than physical ones. Perhaps he had not allowed his Davidic lineage to go to his head. He did not need the spur of his adoptive Son becoming King to make him comply.

All he needed to know was that God through the Holy Spirit had accomplished Mary's pregnancy, and that the divine Child, in fulfillment of prophecy, would one day save His people from sin.

In His sovereignty, God prepared the perfect couple to raise His Son. They are wonderful examples of submission to God. Even though His intervention in their lives threw a huge monkey wrench into their personal plans, they selflessly said, "So be it, Lord. What would You like us to do next?"