Matthew 1:20
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
The Significance of Matthew 1:20
In Matthew 1:20, we see the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph in a dream to reassure him about Mary’s pregnancy. Joseph, being a righteous man, was initially planning to divorce Mary quietly when he found out she was pregnant, as he knew the child was not his. However, the angel’s message revealed to Joseph the divine origin of Mary’s pregnancy, assuring him that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
This verse holds significant theological importance as it establishes the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth. The virgin birth of Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, which states, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Furthermore, Matthew 1:20 highlights the obedience and faith of Joseph, who, upon receiving the angel’s message, took Mary as his wife and became the earthly father of Jesus. Joseph’s willingness to trust in God’s plan and raise Jesus as his own son demonstrates his role in fulfilling God’s divine purpose for the salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ.
Overall, Matthew 1:20 serves as a foundational verse in the Gospel narrative, emphasizing the supernatural conception of Jesus and the importance of faith and obedience in God’s plan of redemption. It reminds us of the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth and the significance of his earthly parents in fulfilling God’s promises.