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Matthew Henry

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 1:22

Now all this was done ,.... These are not the words of the Angel, but of the Evangelist; observing that Mary's being with child of the Holy Ghost, and her conception in such an extraordinary manner, whilst a pure virgin, before she and Joseph came together, who though espoused to him, was untouched by him, were all brought about in this way, and with such circumstances, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet ; that is, the Prophet Isaiah, and so some... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:22

By the prophet - Isaiah is added here by several MSS., versions, and fathers. The prophecy is taken from Isaiah 7:14 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:22

Verse 22 22.Now all this was done It is ignorant and childish trifling to argue, that the name Jesus is given to the Son of God, because he is called Immanuel For Matthew does not confine this assertion to the single fact of the name, but includes whatever is heavenly and divine in the conception of Christ; and that is the reason why he employs the general term all We must now see how appropriately the prediction of Isaiah is applied. It is a well-known and remarkable passage, (Isaiah 7:14,)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 1:18-25

JESUS THE CHRIST BY DIVINE ORIGIN . Recorded by Matthew only. The frequent similarity of language found in Luke 1:26-35 ( vide ' Synopticon ') is probably due to the fact that Joseph and Mary not unnaturally fell into the way of using the same words to express two messages of similar import. The object of this paragraph is to show that Messiah was in origin not of man but of God. This fact was accepted even by his reputed father Joseph, who was only convinced of it after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 1:22

All this ; τοῦτο ὅλον (not ταῦτα πάντα ). The birth of a Saviour, with the means by which it came about, by a virgin, and "of the Holy Ghost." Was done ; is come to pass (Revised Version); i.e. in abiding effect ( γέγονεν ). It is considered as having already taken place (cf. "the prophetic perfect" of the Old Testament). That it might be fulfilled . God's past utterance is looked at as necessitating a present action. Which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying ... read more

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