Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Now {G1161} all {G3650} this {G5124} was done {G1096}, that {G2443} it might be fulfilled {G4137} which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} of {G5259} the Lord {G2962} by {G1223} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004},

All this happened in order to fulfill what ADONAI had said through the prophet,

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Commentary on Matthew 1:22 (KJV)

Matthew 1:22 serves as a pivotal statement in the narrative of Jesus Christ's miraculous birth. This verse explicitly states that the events surrounding Jesus' conception by the Holy Ghost and Mary's virginity were not coincidental or random, but rather part of a divine plan to bring to fruition ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah.

Context

This verse comes immediately after the angel's announcement to Joseph, reassuring him about Mary's pregnancy and instructing him to take her as his wife, naming the child Jesus (Matthew 1:18-21). Matthew, writing primarily to a Jewish audience, frequently emphasizes how Jesus' life and ministry fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. This approach aimed to demonstrate that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, the promised King and Deliverer, by connecting His story directly to the sacred texts of the Hebrew Scriptures. The specific prophecy referred to here is quoted in the very next verse, Matthew 1:23, which cites Isaiah 7:14.

Key Themes

  • Prophecy Fulfillment: The central theme of Matthew 1:22 is the idea that God's ancient promises are being precisely fulfilled in the person and circumstances of Jesus. This establishes Jesus' divine credentials and validates His claim as the Messiah.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The phrase "all this was done, that it might be fulfilled" highlights God's active involvement and control over historical events. It underscores a meticulously orchestrated divine plan, showing that even the most unexpected circumstances (like a virgin birth) are part of God's perfect design.
  • Messianic Identity: By linking Jesus' birth to prophecy, Matthew reinforces His unique identity as the Christ, the anointed one, who perfectly embodies the expectations and promises laid out in the Old Testament.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "that it might be fulfilled" is hina plērōthē (ἵνα πληρωθῇ). The verb plēroō (πληρόω) means "to fill, to complete, to bring to pass." In Matthew's Gospel, this specific construction is used repeatedly to emphasize the definitive and purposeful completion of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It signifies not merely a coincidence, but a divine intention for events to align with what was spoken by God through His prophets.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:22 offers great encouragement to believers today. It assures us that God is faithful to His promises and His Word. Just as He meticulously orchestrated the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth to fulfill prophecy, so too does He work all things according to His sovereign will. This verse reminds us that even in complex or seemingly chaotic situations, there is a divine plan at work. It calls us to trust in God's faithfulness and the reliability of Scripture, knowing that His purposes will always be accomplished, bringing about His perfect will for history and for our lives.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 24:44

    And 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 2:23

    And 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 8:15

    And 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,

  • Acts 3:18

    But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

  • 1 Kings 8:24

    Who 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.

  • John 18:9

    That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

  • Matthew 13:35

    That 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.

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