Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Behold {G2400}, a virgin {G3933} shall be with child {G1722}{G1064}{G2192}, and {G2532} shall bring forth {G5088} a son {G5207}, and {G2532} they shall call {G2564} his {G846} name {G3686} Emmanuel {G1694}, which {G3739} being interpreted {G3177} is {G2076}, God {G2316} with {G3326} us {G2257}.

"The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him `Immanu El."a (The name means, "God is with us.")

“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

Context

Matthew 1:23 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of Matthew, serving as the climax of the narrative concerning Jesus' miraculous conception and birth. It directly follows the account of Joseph's discovery that Mary was pregnant and his subsequent intention to quietly divorce her. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, revealing that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). This verse then explains that these events fulfill an ancient prophecy from the Old Testament, specifically Isaiah 7:14, thereby establishing Jesus' divine identity and purpose from the very beginning of the New Testament narrative.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The verse explicitly states that Mary's virgin conception and the naming of her son as Emmanuel are direct fulfillments of God's Word spoken through the prophet Isaiah centuries earlier. This underscores God's sovereignty and His meticulous plan for salvation.
  • Virgin Birth: Central to Christian theology, the phrase "a virgin shall be with child" highlights the unique and supernatural nature of Jesus' entry into the world. It signifies that Jesus' origin is not merely human but divine, setting Him apart from all others. The angel's message to Mary in Luke 1:35 further confirms this miraculous conception.
  • The Incarnation ("God with Us"): The name "Emmanuel" is the profound theological heart of this verse. It declares that in Jesus, God Himself has come to dwell among humanity. This concept, known as the Incarnation, reveals God's ultimate act of love and His desire for intimate relationship with His creation. This foundational truth echoes in John 1:14, where "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us".
  • Divine Presence and Accessibility: "God with us" signifies not just God's physical presence in Jesus, but also His enduring spiritual presence with His people. It offers immense comfort and assurance that believers are never truly alone, a promise powerfully reiterated by Jesus Himself in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Linguistic Insights

The name "Emmanuel" comes from the Hebrew word Immanu'el (עִמָּנוּאֵל), which literally means "God is with us" or "with us is God." Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, ensures that the meaning is clearly interpreted for his readers, emphasizing the profound significance of this name for the Messiah. The Greek word for "virgin" used by Matthew, parthenos (παρθένος), clearly denotes a woman who has not had sexual relations, reinforcing the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:23 offers profound comfort and hope to believers today. The message of "God with us" assures us of God's constant presence in our lives, regardless of circumstances. It reminds us that God is not distant or uncaring but intimately involved in human history and individual lives. This verse encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises and to find strength in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe has chosen to dwell among us, offering salvation, guidance, and companionship through Jesus Christ.

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.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Psalms 46:11

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

  • Psalms 46:7

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • Romans 1:3

    Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
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