King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Here is how the birth of Yeshua the Messiah took place. When his mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Ruach HaKodesh.
Berean Standard Bible:
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
American Standard Version:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now{G1161} the birth{G1083} of Jesus{G2424} Christ{G5547} was{G2258} on this wise{G3779}: When as{G1063} his{G846} mother{G3384} Mary{G3137} was espoused{G3423} to Joseph{G2501}, before{G4250}{G2228} they{G846} came together{G4905}, she was found{G2147} with child{G1722}{G1064}{G2192} of{G1537} the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Galatians 4:4
- But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:5
- To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Luke 1:27
- To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
Luke 1:38
- And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Job 14:4
- Who can bring a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one.
Hebrews 10:5
- Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Genesis 3:15
- And 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 1:18
Matthew 1:18 is the pivotal verse that introduces the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone event in Christian theology known as the Immaculate Conception or Virgin Birth. This verse sets the stage for the Nativity story within the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the period of Second Temple Judaism, under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Jewish people were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, a deliverer prophesied in their scriptures. Matthew's Gospel, written primarily for a Jewish audience, seeks to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies.
The verse specifically addresses the situation of Mary and Joseph, who were betrothed, which in Jewish custom of the time was a binding agreement to marriage, though the couple would not live together or consummate the marriage until a later date. The text emphasizes that Mary's pregnancy occurred before she and Joseph came together, highlighting the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit. This event is presented as a divine intervention, marking Jesus as distinct from birth and signifying his divine origin.
The themes present in this verse include the fulfillment of prophecy, divine intervention in human affairs, and the inauguration of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. It also touches on the themes of faith, as both Mary and Joseph must trust in God's plan revealed to them through an angel (as described in the subsequent verses), and the concept of purity, as Mary's virginity is a significant aspect of the narrative, underscoring the unique and holy manner of Jesus' entrance into the world. This verse is foundational to Christian beliefs about the nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine, and it underscores the theological importance of the Incarnation within the broader Christian narrative.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1083
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γέννησις
Transliteration: génnēsis
Pronunciation: ghen'-nay-sis
Description: from γεννάω; nativity:--birth. - Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus. - Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ. - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G3779
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὕτω
Transliteration: hoútō
Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what. - Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G3384
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μήτηρ
Transliteration: mḗtēr
Pronunciation: may'-tare
Description: apparently a primary word; a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote):--mother. - Strong's Number: G3137
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Μαρία
Transliteration: María
Pronunciation: mar-ee-am'
Description: of Hebrew origin (מִרְיָם); Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females:-- Mary. - Strong's Number: G3423
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μνηστεύω
Transliteration: mnēsteúō
Pronunciation: mnace-tyoo'-o
Description: from a derivative of μνάομαι; to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth:--espouse. - Strong's Number: G2501
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰωσήφ
Transliteration: Iōsḗph
Pronunciation: ee-o-safe'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹסֵף); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites:--Joseph. - Strong's Number: G4250
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρίν
Transliteration: prín
Pronunciation: prin
Description: adverb from πρό; prior, sooner:--before (that), ere. - Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G4905
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συνέρχομαι
Transliteration: synérchomai
Pronunciation: soon-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from σύν and ἔρχομαι; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally):--accompany, assemble (with), come (together), come (company, go) with, resort. - Strong's Number: G2147
There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εὑρίσκω
Transliteration: heurískō
Pronunciation: hyoo-reh'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary , which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G1064
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γαστήρ
Transliteration: gastḗr
Pronunciation: gas-tare'
Description: of uncertain derivation; the stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand:--belly, + with child, womb. - Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G40
There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἅγιος
Transliteration: hágios
Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint. - Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.