Matthew 1:18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 1:18-25

The mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored, not pried into. If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Eccl. 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin. When David admires how he himself was made in secret, and curiously wrought (Ps. 139:13-16), perhaps he speaks in the spirit of Christ's incarnation. Some circumstances attending the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

1:18-25 The birth of Jesus Christ happened in this way. Mary, His mother, was betrothed to Joseph, and, before they became man and wife, it was discovered that she was carrying a child in her womb through the action of the Holy Spirit. Although Joseph, her husband, was a man who kept the law, he did not wish publicly to humiliate her, so he wished to divorce her secretly. When he was planning this, behold, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David" said the angel,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

This passage tells us how Jesus was born by the action of the Holy Spirit. It tells us of what we call the Virgin Birth. This is a doctrine which presents us with many difficulties; and our Church does not compel us to accept it in the literal and the physical sense. This is one of the doctrines on which the Church says that we have full liberty to come to our own conclusion. At the moment we are concerned only to find out what this means for us. If we come to this passage with fresh eyes,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

(iii) The Jews specially connected the Spirit of God with the work of creation. It was through his Spirit that God performed his creating work. In the beginning the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and chaos became a world ( Genesis 1:2 ). "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made," said the Psalmist, "and all their host by the breath of his mouth" ( Psalms 33:6 ). (Both in Hebrew: ruwach ( Hebrew #7307 ) , and in Greek: pneuma ( Greek #4151 ) , the word for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ ,.... The Evangelist having finished the genealogy of Christ, proceeds to give an account of his birth, which includes both his conception and bringing forth; and which he says was on this wise , ουτως so, "after this manner", and which was very wonderful and astonishing; when as , γαρ , for his mother Mary was found with child, not of man, no, not of Joseph her husband; Christ had no real father as man, Joseph was only, as was supposed, his father;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:18

Espoused to Joseph - The word μνηστευθεισης , from μνηστευω , to contract, or betroth, refers to the previous marriage agreement, in which the parties mutually bound themselves to each other; without which, no woman was ever married among the Jews. Among the Hindoos, a woman is espoused often a whole year, and even longer before the marriage takes place. Before they came together - The woman was espoused at her own, or her father's house; and, generally, some time elapsed before she... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:18

Verse 18 18.Now the birth of Jesus Christ Matthew does not as yet relate the place or manner of Christ’s birth, but the way in which his heavenly generation was made known to Joseph. First, he says that Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit Not that this secret work of God was generally known: but the historian mixes up, with the knowledge of men, (97) the power of the Spirit, which was still unknown. He points out the time: When she was espoused to Joseph, and before they came... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

Now the birth ( Matthew 1:1 , note). γέννησις ("generation") of the received text refers to the causative act, the true reading ( γένεσις ) to the birth itself (cf. Luke 1:14 ). Of Jesus Christ was on this wise . The Revised Version margin says, "Some ancient authorities read, 'of the Christ,'" but perhaps the reading, "of Christ Jesus" (B [Origen]), is even preferable, as in no good manuscript of the New Testament is the article elsewhere prefixed to "Jesus Christ," and the easy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

Nativity of our Lord. I. SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF THE HUMAN NATURE OF OUR LORD . He who came to be a new Head and Source of life to humanity could scarcely be the product of the old stock. All other men have sprung from Adam; all that has appeared in humanity is the evolution of what was in the first man. No new blood has been infused into the race. But in Christ a new beginning is made. As a matter of fact, he has never been accounted for by natural causes. His distinctive... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

Joseph's testimony. After giving the genealogy of Jesus, the evangelist proceeds to furnish important particulars of the history of his generation and birth. In these he brings out prominently the notable testimony of Joseph in proof of the Christship of Jesus. We note— I. THAT JOSEPH IS A CREDIBLE WITNESS . 1 . He was a righteous man. (a) True righteousness is merciful. Of this the gospel of our salvation furnishes glorious illustration. (b) Leniency devoid of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 1:18-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 1:18-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 1:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18

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