Matthew 1:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
Τοῦ
G3588
Τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὕτως
on this wise
G3779
οὕτως
on this wise
Strong's:
G3779
Word #:
7 of 27
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
Μνηστευθείσης
was espoused
G3423
Μνηστευθείσης
was espoused
Strong's:
G3423
Word #:
9 of 27
to give a souvenir (betrothal present), i.e., betroth
γὰρ
When as
G1063
γὰρ
When as
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητρὸς
mother
G3384
μητρὸς
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
12 of 27
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοὺς,
his
G846
αὐτοὺς,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Μαρίας
Mary
G3137
Μαρίας
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
14 of 27
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνελθεῖν
came together
G4905
συνελθεῖν
came together
Strong's:
G4905
Word #:
19 of 27
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
αὐτοὺς,
his
G846
αὐτοὺς,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γαστρὶ
G1064
γαστρὶ
Strong's:
G1064
Word #:
23 of 27
the stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand
ἔχουσα
G2192
ἔχουσα
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
24 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
25 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
Job 14:4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.Hebrews 10:5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Luke 1:25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Historical Context
In Jewish culture, betrothal was legally binding though the couple didn't live together. Discovery of pregnancy during betrothal would normally result in divorce or death by stoning. This context heightens Joseph's dilemma and God's intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the virgin birth demonstrate that salvation is God's work, not human effort?
- What comfort do you find in knowing God intervened in an impossible situation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise' introduces the supernatural conception that distinguishes Christ from all other descendants in the genealogy. The discovery that Mary was 'with child of the Holy Ghost' before consummation demonstrates that Jesus' divine nature preceded His human nature, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14.