Matthew 1:18-2:12

1:18-19 | On finding that Mary was pregnant, Joseph considered secretly divorcing her (to put her away), desiring to save her from death by stoning – a common punishment for adultery in those days, whether the woman was betrothed (engaged) or married.

1:20-21 | The Messiah was to be from the line of David. Joseph was a son – an ancestor – of David, which would legally place Jesus is the Davidic line. Jesus means “the Lord is salvation.” This Child would save His people from their sin.

1:22-23 | Matthew cites Isaish 7:14, which says that the virgin will conceive; In Hebrew, the word translated virgin is preceded by a definite article, indicating that the young woman would not be just “a” virgin but “the” virgin. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Mary.

1:24-25 | The term translated know is sometimes used to denote sexual intimacy. Matthew indicates that Joseph was not physically intimate with Mary before Jesus was born. This verse protects the doctrine of the virgin birth – a doctrine so important that the writers of Scripture go out of their way to make sure that every detail is precise. The supernatural virgin birth is proof of both Jesus’ humanity and His deity.

2:2 | Various scientific explanations have been offered to account for the star, but this was not simply a natural phenomenon. It was His star, supernaturally placed in the heavens for the purpose of guiding the wise men. We see throughout biblical history that God always guides His people.

2:3-8 | Herod the Great was named King of Judea by the Roman Senate in 37 BC and likely died in 4 BC. He was Idumean (descended from the tribe of Esau) and did not welcome the news that “the King of the Jews” was born in Bethlehem. By the time of his death, he had murdered his wife and at least two of his sons to protect his throne. When Herod felt troubled, the entire city was troubled.