Matthew 1:22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Original Language Analysis
ὅλον
all
G3650
ὅλον
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
3 of 15
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
γέγονεν
was done
G1096
γέγονεν
was done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
πληρωθῇ
it might be fulfilled
G4137
πληρωθῇ
it might be fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
6 of 15
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 15
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Κυρίου,
the Lord
G2962
Κυρίου,
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
11 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
12 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.Matthew 2:23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.1 Kings 8:15And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,1 Kings 8:24Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.Acts 3:18But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.Matthew 13:35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.John 18:9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Matthew 13:21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.Matthew 12:17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Historical Context
Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish Christians, using fulfillment quotations to prove Jesus was the promised Messiah. He quotes or alludes to the Old Testament over 60 times, more than any other gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fulfillment of prophecy strengthen confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration and Christ's messianic identity?
- What does this pattern of fulfillment teach about reading the Old Testament through the lens of Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Matthew's formula 'that it might be fulfilled' appears repeatedly in his gospel, demonstrating that Jesus' life was the realization of Old Testament prophecy. This establishes Jesus as the true Messiah and proves that Scripture is divinely inspired. The fulfillment is not coincidental but the outworking of God's eternal decree, showing the unity of the Bible's testimony to Christ.