Matthew 1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18-25

The birth of Jesus Christ. I. THE DISTRESS OF MARY . 1 . She was betrothed to Joseph. They had loved one another with a pure and holy love; now they were betrothed. The tie of betrothal was in the eyes of the Jews as sacred as that of marriage. The bridegroom had not yet taken home his bride; she was still in her parents' house. They were looking forward to the coming nuptials. It was the time upon which, years afterwards, men look back with such tender recollections—the time... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband ; and (Revised Version). The thought is slightly adversative ( δέ ); though this was "of the Holy Ghost," yet Joseph was about to put her away. Being a just man; righteous (Revised Version); i.e. who strove to conform to the Divine precepts manifested for him in the Law (cf. Luke 1:6 ; Luke 2:25 ). And not willing; i.e. "and yet not wishing ," though the Law, which he was striving to follow, seemed to inculcate harshness. This clause has been taken in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

Suggestions of just ways of covering sin. The contents of this verse and the following are, so far as they go, corroborating evidence of the supernatural origin and superhuman incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For if these things be not the truth respecting him, then will these verses also have to rank among the supposed cunningly devised fables; whereas in very truth their aspect is of the most opposite character. The aspect of these verses and their connection are strikingly of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

Justice is considerateness. Very little is known concerning Joseph the husband of Mary; and yet enough is known to reveal a character. And what more especially shows him up to our view is his determination to do what was right, but to do it kindly. According to Jewish ideas, betrothal was as sacred as marriage, and infidelities before marriage were treated as infidelities after marriage, and death by stoning was the punishment for such sins. It was customary for persons to be engaged, or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things ; when (Revised Version); ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος . The tense lays stress, not on the continuance of his meditation (contrast Acts 10:19 ), but on the fact that the determination to which he had already come ( vide supra ) was already in his mind at the time when the following event happened. "These things;" his determination and its causes. Behold ; unexpectedly. Though common in St. Matthew, it never lacks the connotation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:20

Dreams as revelations. It has been said that dreams represent the usual mode of Divine communication with persons who are outside the covenant. But this view is not fully maintained by a study of all the incidents narrated. It is true of Abimelech ( Genesis 20:3-7 ), of Laban ( Genesis 31:24 ), of Pharaoh's butler and baker ( Genesis 40:5-19 ), of Pharaoh ( Genesis 41:1 - 7), of the Midianite ( 7:13-15 ), of Nebuchadnezzar ( Daniel 2:1 , Daniel 2:31 ; Daniel 4:5 , Daniel 4:8... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The first half is almost verbally identical with the promise to Mary in Luke 1:31 . It is, perhaps, hypercritical to see anything more than a coincidence when such common terms are used, but it was not unnatural that the communications of the angels to both Mary and Joseph should be purposely clothed in language similar to that used of Sarah ( Genesis 17:19 ), and in measure to that used of Hannah. And she shall bring forth . Is the slight adversative force ( δέ ) to be seen in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The name "Jesus." "Jesus" was the personal name of our Lord, the Greek equivalent of the old Jewish name "Joshua," and not unknown in Hebrew families. Therefore to his contemporaries it would not have the unique associations that it has for us. It would be merely the designation of an individual. But everything that Christ touches is elevated to a new value by his contact with it. Now that he has been named "Jesus," that name is to us precious "as ointment poured forth." I. THE MAIN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The "Name which is above every name." In introduction dwell briefly on the thought of the Divine care, shown, first , in foreguarding Israel and, so to say, the world so early from mistake as to the character of their coming Saviour, Hope, King; and, secondly , in guiding Israel from the very first to understand that whatever breadth, height, scope, might belong to the salvation of the Saviour who was to be, it could in the first instance only be attained through men becoming... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

A mission revealed in a twofold Name. The fact confronts us, and sets us upon earnest inquiry, that one name was prophesied for Messiah, and another name was given to him when he came. He was to be called "Immanuel," and he was called "Jesus." Now, are we to understand that these are two names, and that Messiah is to be known as "Immanuel-Jesus"? or are we to see in the name Jesus a full and sufficient embodiment of the idea contained in the name "Immanuel"? Jewish names, and especially... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:21

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands