Matthew 1:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

but he did not have sexual relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible:

But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} knew^{G1097} her^{G846} not^{G3756} till^{{G2193}{G3739}} she had brought forth^{G5088} her^{G846} firstborn^{G4416} son^{G5207}: and^{G2532} he called^{G2564} his^{G846} name^{G3686} JESUS^{G2424}.

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Commentary for Matthew 1:25

Matthew 1:25 is part of the opening chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, which sets the stage for the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ. This verse specifically concludes the narrative of Jesus's miraculous conception and birth, emphasizing the virginity of Mary until the birth of Jesus. The phrase "knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son" uses a euphemism common in ancient Jewish culture to indicate that Mary and Joseph did not have sexual relations before Jesus was born, underscoring the doctrine of the virgin birth—a cornerstone of Christian theology that asserts Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by natural human reproduction.

The verse also highlights the obedience of Joseph, who, after being informed of Mary's pregnancy in a dream by an angel, chose to marry her as the angel instructed rather than divorcing her quietly, as he had initially planned. By naming the child "Jesus," Joseph fulfills the angel's command, which itself was a fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, foretelling that a virgin would conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The name Jesus, which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, means "the Lord saves," signifying Jesus's mission to save his people from their sins, as later explained in Matthew 1:21.

In its historical context, the verse reflects the Jewish expectations of the Messiah, who was anticipated to be a descendant of King David, as both Joseph and Mary were (Matthew 1:16, Luke 3:31). The emphasis on Jesus being Mary's "firstborn son" also alludes to the legal standing of the firstborn in Jewish law, which included rights of inheritance and a special dedication to God, as seen in the account of Jesus's presentation at the Temple in Luke 2:22-24.

Overall, Matthew 1:25 encapsulates the miraculous nature of Jesus's birth, the anticipation of his messianic role, and the fulfillment of prophetic Scripture, all of which are central themes in the Gospel's introduction to Jesus Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1097
   There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γινώσκω
   Transliteration: ginṓskō
   Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2193
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕως
   Transliteration: héōs
   Pronunciation: heh'-oce
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).
   
6. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5088
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίκτω
   Transliteration: tíktō
   Pronunciation: tek'-o
   Description: a strengthened form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively:--bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4416
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρωτότοκος
   Transliteration: prōtótokos
   Pronunciation: pro-tot-ok'-os
   Description: from πρῶτος and the alternate of τίκτω; first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively):--firstbegotten(-born).
   
9. Strong's Number: G5207
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: υἱός
   Transliteration: huiós
   Pronunciation: hwee-os'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2564
    There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καλέω
    Transliteration: kaléō
    Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
    Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
    
11. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
    
12. 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.