Matthew 1:21

KJV

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} she shall bring forth {G5088} a son {G5207}, and {G2532} thou shalt call {G2564} his {G846} name {G3686} JESUS {G2424}: for {G1063} he {G846} shall save {G4982} his {G846} people {G2992} from {G575} their {G846} sins {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means `ADONAI saves,'] because he will save his people from their sins."

Berean Standard Bible

She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

American Standard Version

And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 1:21 serves as the angelic announcement to Joseph, revealing the divine purpose behind Mary's miraculous pregnancy. It explicitly names the child "JESUS" and immediately explains the profound significance of this name: He will save His people from their sins. This verse establishes the core theological mission of Jesus from His very inception, highlighting that His coming is not for political or earthly deliverance, but for spiritual salvation from the pervasive power and guilt of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 1:21 is a pivotal moment within the opening narrative of Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Joseph's discovery of Mary's pregnancy before their marriage. Joseph, being a righteous man, intended to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, intervening to explain that Mary's conception is by the Holy Spirit. This verse, therefore, provides the divine explanation and mandate for the child's identity and mission, directly addressing Joseph's dilemma and validating Mary's miraculous condition. It sets the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy, particularly [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - The Sign of Immanuel"), which Matthew explicitly references in the subsequent verse, confirming Jesus' divine origin and redemptive purpose.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, the naming of a child was a significant event, often reflecting the child's character, destiny, or a significant event surrounding their birth. Names carried deep meaning and were frequently prophetic. The expectation among many Jews at the time was for a Messiah who would be a political and military deliverer, freeing them from Roman oppression and restoring the Davidic kingdom. The angel's declaration in Matthew 1:21, therefore, subtly redefines this expectation, shifting the focus from political liberation to spiritual salvation. Joseph's legal right and responsibility as the adoptive father to name the child underscore his acceptance of this divine mandate and his role in God's redemptive plan, even though he was not the biological father.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several foundational themes that permeate Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Intervention** in human affairs, as God directly communicates His will through an angel to guide Joseph and orchestrate the birth of His Son. Secondly, it emphasizes **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as the miraculous birth and the child's specific mission align with Old Testament prophecies, particularly those concerning the Messiah's identity and redemptive work. The name "Jesus" itself, meaning "Yahweh saves," is a direct fulfillment of the child's purpose. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Nature of Salvation**, clearly defining it as deliverance "from their sins," rather than from political or physical bondage. This spiritual emphasis is crucial, as it identifies humanity's deepest need and God's ultimate solution, a theme echoed throughout the Gospels and epistles (e.g., [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **JESUS (Greek, _Iēsoûs'_):** This name, of Hebrew origin (Yeshua/Yehoshua), means "Yahweh saves" or "The Lord is salvation." The angel's instruction to name the child Jesus is not arbitrary but directly links His identity to His divinely ordained mission. The name itself encapsulates the very purpose of His incarnation: to bring salvation.
* **save (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** This verb signifies to deliver, protect, heal, preserve, or make whole. In this context, it specifically refers to spiritual deliverance from the power, penalty, and presence of sin. It implies a comprehensive act of rescue from a state of peril, highlighting the dire condition of humanity under sin and the complete nature of the salvation Jesus provides.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** This term refers to "missing the mark," a deviation from God's perfect standard, whether in thought, word, or deed. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and all forms of moral wrongdoing that separate humanity from a holy God. The plural form emphasizes the multitude and pervasive nature of human transgressions from which Jesus comes to deliver.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she shall bring forth a son":** This clause confirms the impending birth, validating Mary's pregnancy as divinely ordained and destined to produce a male child. It sets the stage for the revelation of the child's identity and purpose.
* **"and thou shalt call his name JESUS":** This is a direct command to Joseph, establishing his legal paternity and responsibility in naming the child. The name "JESUS" is not chosen by human preference but is divinely mandated, signifying its profound theological import and the child's unique identity.
* **"for he shall save his people from their sins":** This crucial explanatory clause immediately follows the naming instruction, revealing the precise meaning and mission encapsulated in the name "JESUS." It clarifies that His primary purpose is not political or temporal, but spiritual: to deliver humanity from the pervasive and destructive power of sin. The phrase "his people" refers broadly to those who believe in Him and are redeemed by Him, encompassing both Jew and Gentile.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 1:21 employs several significant literary devices. **Etiology** is prominent, as the verse explains the origin and meaning of the name "Jesus" by directly linking it to His saving mission. The name itself functions as a **Prophecy**, not merely a label, declaring the child's future work and character. There is also a clear instance of **Divine Communication** through the angelic messenger, a recurring motif in biblical narratives to convey God's direct involvement in human history. Furthermore, the verse uses **Emphasis** through the direct and unambiguous statement of Jesus' purpose, contrasting with prevailing Messianic expectations of the time and highlighting the spiritual nature of His kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 1:21 lays the foundational theological truth that Jesus' primary mission is to deliver humanity from the bondage and consequences of sin. This concept is central to the entire biblical narrative, from the fall in Eden to the final redemption. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to restore humanity to Himself, addressing the deepest human need—reconciliation with a holy God. The verse highlights that salvation is not earned through human effort or ritual, but is a divine act of grace, initiated and accomplished by God through His Son. This understanding reorients the Messianic hope from an earthly kingdom to a spiritual one, paving the way for the universal offer of redemption to all who believe.

* [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")
* [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")
* [Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ's Sacrifice for Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 1:21 offers profound truths for personal reflection and application. It reminds us that at the very heart of the Christmas story is not merely a historical event, but a divine intervention aimed at addressing humanity's most fundamental problem: sin. Jesus' name, "Savior," is not just a title, but a declaration of His essential function and purpose for each individual. This verse calls us to acknowledge our own need for salvation from sin and to embrace Jesus as the one who alone can provide it. It invites us to move beyond a superficial understanding of faith to a deep appreciation for the costly grace that delivers us from the guilt, power, and ultimately, the presence of sin. Living in light of this truth means recognizing the freedom Jesus offers, striving to live in obedience to His will, and sharing the good news of His saving power with others who are still bound by sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the meaning of Jesus' name deepen your appreciation for His mission?**
* **In what specific ways do you experience the "saving from sins" that Jesus offers in your daily life?**
* **How might the emphasis on spiritual salvation, rather than political liberation, challenge or affirm your own expectations of what God's kingdom looks like?**
* **What does "his people" mean in this context, and how does it inform your understanding of the scope of Jesus' saving work?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for Jesus to "save his people from their sins" rather than, say, from Roman oppression?**

Answer: The angelic message in [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - The Name and Mission of Jesus") highlights that humanity's deepest and most pervasive problem is not political or physical bondage, but spiritual separation from God due to sin. While the Jewish people longed for liberation from Roman rule, their ultimate need was for reconciliation with their Creator. Sin, as a rebellion against God's holy character, incurs spiritual death and eternal separation ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Jesus' mission to save from sins addresses the root cause of all human suffering and brokenness, offering eternal life and restoration of relationship with God, which is far more profound and lasting than any earthly deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:21 is a foundational declaration of Christ's identity and mission, immediately establishing His role as the divine Savior. The name "JESUS," meaning "Yahweh saves," is not merely a label but a profound theological statement that encapsulates His entire redemptive work. This verse foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross, where He would become the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His saving work is not merely an act of forgiveness, but a comprehensive deliverance from the guilt, power, and eventual presence of sin, accomplished through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). The promise that "he shall save his people from their sins" finds its glorious fulfillment in the New Covenant, where through His blood, believers receive [remission of sins](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood") and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live new lives, freed from sin's dominion ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Freedom from Sin's Dominion")). Thus, Matthew 1:21 is not just a birth announcement; it is the inaugural proclamation of the Gospel itself, revealing the very heart of God's redemptive plan centered in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 13:23

Of this man's seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 1:29

¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:23

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Luke 2:21

¶ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.