25 And G2532 knew G1097 her G846 not G3756 till G2193 G3757 she had brought forth G5088 her G846 firstborn G4416 son: G5207 and G2532 he called G2564 his G846 name G3686 JESUS. G2424
And G1161 she shall bring forth G5088 a son, G5207 and G2532 thou shalt call G2564 his G846 name G3686 JESUS: G2424 for G1063 he G846 shall save G4982 his G846 people G2992 from G575 their G846 sins. G266
And G2532 she brought forth G5088 her G846 firstborn G4416 son, G5207 and G2532 wrapped G4683 him G846 in swaddling clothes, G4683 and G2532 laid G347 him G846 in G1722 a manger; G5336 because G1360 there was G2258 no G3756 room G5117 for them G846 in G1722 the inn. G2646
And G2532 when G3753 eight G3638 days G2250 were accomplished G4130 for the circumcising G4059 of the child, G3813 G2532 his G846 name G3686 was called G2564 JESUS, G2424 which G3588 was so named G2564 of G5259 the angel G32 before G4253 he G846 was conceived G4815 in G1722 the womb. G2836
Sanctify H6942 unto me all the firstborn, H1060 whatsoever openeth H6363 the womb H7358 among the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 both of man H120 and of beast: H929 it is mine.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 1
Commentary on Matthew 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The Gospel According to ST. Matthew
Chapter 1
This evangelist begins with the account of Christ's parentage and birth, the ancestors from whom he descended, and the manner of his entry into the world, to make it appear that he was indeed the Messiah promised, for it was foretold that he should be the son of David, and should be born of a virgin; and that he was so is here plainly shown; for here is,
Thus methodically is the life of our blessed Saviour written, as lives should be written, for the clearer proposing of the example of them.
Mat 1:1-17
Concerning this genealogy of our Saviour, observe,
In calling Christ the son of David, and the son of Abraham, he shows that God is faithful to his promise, and will make good every word that he has spoken; and this.
Some particulars we may observe in the genealogy.
Mat 1:18-25
The mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored, not pried into. If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Eccles. 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin. When David admires how he himself was made in secret, and curiously wrought (Ps. 139:13-16), perhaps he speaks in the spirit of Christ's incarnation. Some circumstances attending the birth of Christ we find here which are not in Luke, though it is more largely recorded here. Here we have,
Observe,
Some persons of a rigorous temper would blame Joseph for his clemency: but it is here spoken of to his praise; because he was a just man, therefore he was not willing to expose her. He was a religious, good man; and therefore inclined to be merciful as God is, and to forgive as one that was forgiven. In the case of the betrothed damsel, if she were defiled in the field, the law charitably supposed that she cried out (Deu. 22:26), and she was not to be punished. Some charitable construction or other Joseph will put upon this matter; and herein he is a just man, tender of the good name of one who never before had done anything to blemish it. Note, It becomes us, in many cases, to be gentle towards those that come under suspicion of having offended, to hope the best concerning them, and make the best of that which at first appears bad, in hopes that it may prove better. Summum just summa injuria-The rigour of the law is (sometimes) the height of injustice. That court of conscience which moderates the rigour of the law we call a court of equity. Those who are found faulty were perhaps overtaken in the fault, and are therefore to be restored with the spirit of meekness; and threatening, even when just, must be moderated.
The prophecy here quoted is justly ushered in with a Behold, which commands both attention and admiration; for we have here the mystery of godliness, which is, without controversy, great, that God was manifested in the flesh.
Nor is it improper to say that the prophecy which foretold that he should be called Immanuel was fulfilled, in the design and intention of it, when he was called Jesus; for if he had not been Immanuel- God with us, he could not have been Jesus-a Saviour; and herein consists the salvation he wrought out, in the bringing of God and man together; this was what he designed, to bring God to be with us, which is our great happiness, and to bring us to be with God, which is our great duty.
It is here further observed,