Matthew 1:25

Authorized King James Version

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#3
ἐγίνωσκεν
G1097
knew
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
#4
αὐτοῦ
G846
her
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
#5
ἕως
G2193
till
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
#6
οὗ
G3739
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#7
ἔτεκεν
G5088
she had brought forth
to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively
#8
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
υἱὸν
G5207
son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#10
αὐτοῦ
G846
her
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
#11
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
πρωτότοκον·
G4416
firstborn
first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)
#13
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
ἐκάλεσεν
G2564
he called
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
#15
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
ὄνομα
G3686
name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#17
αὐτοῦ
G846
her
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
#18
Ἰησοῦν
G2424
JESUS
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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