Matthew 1:19

Translations

Modern

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Traditional

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Literal

And Joseph her husband, being righteous and not willing to make an example of her, resolved to send her away secretly.

Latin

Joseph autem vir ejus cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere, voluit occulte dimittere eam.

Original

Greek

English

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Notes

Matthew 1:19

Joseph was a righteous man. This means he obeyed the law (see Luke 1:6). He reconsidered marrying Mary because it appeared she had committed adultery. He could have cleared his name by publicly accusing Mary. This would have led to her trial and possible execution (Deuteronomy 22:23–27; compare Numbers 5:11–31). Or he could pay a fine and end the engagement (see also Mishnah Sotah 1:1–5). Joseph chose to be kind and decided to end the engagement quietly.

Matthew 1:1–2:23

This story shows how certain parts of the life of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. This includes:

his family history and birth (chapter 1), and
the places he lived as a child (chapter 2).

The story also shows how efforts to stop the plan of God do not work (2:1–15; see also 27:62–66).

Theme notes and profiles

Mary, Mother of Jesus The Birth of Christ The Stone the Builders Rejected

Events

An Angel Speaks to Joseph in a Dreamc. 5 BC

Related verses

Deuteronomy 22:21–24
…she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you.
Deuteronomy 24:1–4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.
John 8:4–5
…and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
Mark 6:20
…because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.
Genesis 38:24
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”
Psalm 112:4–5
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright—for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.
Luke 2:25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Mark 10:4
They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
Leviticus 19:20
If a man lies carnally with a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. But they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.
Genesis 6:9
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.
Acts 10:22
“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”

Parallels

Isaiah 7:10–16 Luke 2:1–7

People

Joseph: Husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus

Glossary

Annunciation Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Dreams Genealogy Genealogy of Jesus Christ Gospel of Matthew Joseph Mary Ruth, Book of Virgin Virgin Birth of Jesus

Topics

Faith: Joseph, in Obeying the Vision About Mary and to Flee Into Egypt False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Mary Husband: Faithful: Joseph Integrity: Joseph, the Husband of Mary, in not Jealously Accusing Her of Immorality Jesus, the Christ: An Angel Appears to Joseph Concerning Mary (At Nazareth) Joseph: Husband of Mary Joseph: Husband of Mary: An Angel Appears and Testifies to the Innocence of his Betrothed Kindness: Joseph to Mary Marriage: Infidelity of Those Contracted In, Punished As If Married Miracles: Catalogue of The Incarnation of Jesus Prudence: Joseph, in his Conduct Toward Mary Unselfishness: Joseph

Matthew 1:19

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