Verse of the Day
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Matthew 1:20-21
But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Introduction
Matthew 1:20–21 stands as a pivotal moment in the Nativity narrative, revealing God’s direct intervention in Joseph’s life and clarifying the divine nature of Mary’s child. Through a dream, an angel assures Joseph that Mary’s pregnancy is the work of the Holy Spirit and that the child to be born will be the long-awaited Savior. This brief but powerful encounter not only redirects Joseph’s plans but also anchors the entire Gospel in the reality of God’s redemptive mission. The passage highlights the holiness of Christ’s conception, the meaning of His name, and Joseph’s essential role in bringing God’s purposes to fulfillment.
Commentary
“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream…”
Joseph, described earlier as a “righteous man,” had determined to divorce Mary quietly to protect her from shame. At this very point of decision, an angel intervenes—revealing that Joseph’s righteousness is now invited to align with God’s unfolding plan. Dreams are a common medium for divine revelation in Scripture, especially in Matthew, echoing Old Testament patterns. The angel addresses Joseph as “son of David,” underscoring his Davidic lineage and reminding readers that the Messiah’s legal descent must come through him.
“…do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
The angel’s command, “do not be afraid,” speaks both to Joseph’s emotional distress and to the radical nature of what is being asked of him. The phrase “from the Holy Spirit” emphasizes the miraculous conception and affirms Mary’s faithfulness. This divine origin not only protects Mary’s reputation but reveals that the child is truly God’s Son, conceived without human agency.
“She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus…”
Joseph is given the fatherly responsibility of naming the child, legally adopting Him into the line of David. The name “Jesus” (Yeshua), meaning “The Lord saves,” is itself a proclamation of His mission. Naming confers identity and purpose; Joseph’s obedient act will publicly affirm who the child is.
“…for he will save his people from their sins.”
Here Matthew provides the theological heart of the passage. Jesus’ mission is not political liberation from Rome but spiritual liberation from sin. The verb “save” (sōsei) reflects God’s definitive action in delivering His people. The phrase “his people” initially evokes Israel but soon expands—through the Gospel narrative and the early church—to include all who receive Him. Salvation is presented as both a promise and a divine initiative that surpasses human expectation.
Understanding the Context
In first-century Jewish culture, betrothal was legally binding, and Joseph’s dilemma reflects serious social and religious implications. His decision to divorce Mary quietly reveals compassion, but God’s revelation invites him into a deeper obedience that transcends conventional expectations. Matthew often uses dreams as a narrative device, echoing figures such as Joseph the patriarch, who also received divine direction through dreams.
The angel’s address “son of David” connects Joseph to the royal lineage essential for the messianic claim. By naming Jesus, Joseph fulfills his role in situating the Messiah within Israel’s covenantal promises. The passage resonates with Old Testament themes of God’s deliverance, especially the prophetic expectation of a Davidic king who would bring salvation (e.g., Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6–7; Jeremiah 23:5–6). Within Matthew’s Gospel, these verses introduce key Christological themes: Jesus as Emmanuel, Jesus as Savior, and Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture.
Application for Today
Believers today can draw deep encouragement from Joseph’s example of trusting God amid uncertainty. His obedience required courage, humility, and willingness to allow God to redefine his understanding of righteousness. Christians are reminded that God often calls His people into paths that challenge social expectations or personal comfort, yet His guidance—though sometimes unexpected—always serves a redemptive purpose.
The passage also invites reflection on the meaning of Jesus’ name. To confess that “Jesus saves” is to acknowledge our need for deliverance and to embrace the hope that God has acted decisively through His Son. The assurance that Jesus came “to save his people from their sins” grounds Christian faith in grace, not human merit, and encourages believers to approach God with confidence, gratitude, and renewed purpose.
Reflection
Matthew 1:20–21 invites readers to stand alongside Joseph at the moment his world is transformed by God’s revelation. His quiet obedience, rooted in trust rather than certainty, models a faith that listens deeply and responds faithfully. The angel’s message reveals a God who enters human history not with spectacle but with compassion, naming the child “Jesus” to proclaim salvation as both gift and promise. As we contemplate Joseph’s response and the identity of the One who saves, we are encouraged to consider how God may be inviting us into His redemptive work—often in ways that begin quietly, yet carry eternal significance.
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse, extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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