Matthew 1 · Verse 20

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:20, King James Version

Matthew 1:20 in other translations

BSBBut after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
WEBBut when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
ASVBut when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
YLTAnd on his thinking of these things, lo, a messenger of the Lord in a dream appeared to him, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, thou mayest not fear to receive Mary thy wife, for that which in her was begotten is of the Holy Spirit,
DARBYbut while he pondered on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.
BBEBut when he was giving thought to these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, have no fear of taking Mary as your wife; because that which is in her body is of the Holy Spirit.
WebsterBut while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.

What does Matthew 1:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. But while he thought on these things--Who would not feel for him after receiving such intelligence, and before receiving any light from above? As he brooded over the matter alone, in the stillness of the night, his domestic prospects darkened and his happiness blasted for life, his mind slowly making itself up to the painful step, yet planning how to do it in the way least offensive--at the last extremity the Lord Himself interposes. behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David--This style of address was doubtless advisedly chosen to remind him of what all the families of David's line so early coveted, and thus it would prepare him for the marvellous announcement which was to follow. fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost--Though a dark cloud now overhangs this relationship, it is unsullied still.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. He thought on these things. He did not act hastily. He did not take the course which the law would have permitted him to do, if he had been hasty, violent, or unjust. It was a case deeply affecting his happiness, his character, and the reputation and character of his chosen companion. God will guide the thoughtful and the anxious. And when we have looked patiently at a perplexed subject, and know not what to do, then God, as in the case of Joseph, will interpose to lead us, and direct our way, Ps 25:9.

The angel of the Lord. The word angel literally means a messenger. It is applied chiefly in the Scriptures to those invisible holy beings who have not fallen into sin; who live in heaven, (1Timm 5:21, comp. Jude 1:6) and who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, Heb 1:13, 14, Dan 9:21. The word is sometimes applied to men, as messengers, (Lk 7:24, 9:52, Jas 2:25) to the winds, (Ps 104:4); to the pestilence, (Ps 78:49); or to whatever is appointed to make known, or to execute the will of God. It is commonly applied, however, to the unfallen, happy spirits that are in heaven, whose only dignity and pleasure it is to do the will of God. Various ways were employed by them in making known the will of God, by dreams, visions, assuming a human appearance, etc.

In a dream. This was a common way of making known the will of God to the ancient prophets and people of God, Gen 20:3, 31:10,11,24, 37:5; Gen 41:1, 1Kgs 3:5, Dan 7:1, Job 4:13-16. In what way it was ascertained that these dreams were from God, cannot now be told. It is sufficient for us to know that in this way many of the prophecies were communicated; and to remark, that now there is no evidence that we are to put reliance on our dreams. Dreams are wild, irregular movements of the mind, when it is unshackled by reason, and it is mere superstition to suppose that God now makes known his will in this way. Is 37:1.

Son of David. Descendant of David. See Mt 1:1. The angel put him in mind of his relation to David, perhaps, to prepare him for the intelligence that Mary was to be the mother of the Messiah--the promised heir of David.

Fear not. Do not hesitate, or have fears about her virtue and purity. Do not fear that she will be unworthy of you, or will disgrace you.

(w) "in a dream" Mt 1:16 (1) "conceived" or, "begotten"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 That which is conceived (or formed) in her - So I think γεννηθεν should be translated in this place: as it appears that the human nature of Jesus Christ was a real creation in the womb of the virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the Lord mentioned here was probably the angel Gabriel, who, six months before, bad been sent to Zacharias and Elisabeth, to announce the birth of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist. See Luk 1:36.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 1:18-25

Let us look to the circumstances under which the Son of God entered into this lower world, till we learn to despise the vain honours of this world, when compared with piety and holiness. The mystery of Christ's becoming man is to be adored, not curiously inquired into. It was so ordered that Christ should partake of our nature, yet that he should be pure from the defilement of original sin, which has been…

Read the full comment on Matthew 1:18-25 →

Matthew 1:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤαῦταTautaThese thingsG3778
δὲdenowG1161
αὐτοῦautouwhen heG846
ἐνθυμηθέντοςenthumēthentoswas ponderingG1760
ἰδοὺidoubeholdG2400
ἄγγελοςangelosan angelG32
κυρίουkuriouof [the] LordG2962
κατ᾽kat᾽inG2596
ὄναρonara dreamG3677
ἐφάνηephanēappearedG5316
αὐτῷautōto himG846
λέγων·legōnsaying;G3004
ἸωσὴφIōsēphJosephG2501
υἱὸςhuiossonG5207
Δαυίδ,Dauidof David,G1138
μὴmēnotG3361
φοβηθῇςphobēthēasmay you fearG5399
παραλαβεῖνparalabeinto receiveG3880
ΜαρίανMarianMaryG3137
τὴνtēn[as] theG3588
γυναῖκάgunaikawifeG1135
σου·souof you;G4771
τὸtothatG3588
γὰρgarforG1063
ἐνeninG1722
αὐτῇautēaherG846
γεννηθὲνgennēthenhaving been conceivedG1080
ἐκekfromG1537
πνεύματόςpneumatos[the] SpiritG4151
ἐστινestin[which] isG1510
ἁγίου.hagiouHoly.G40

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 1:20

  • Proverbs 3:5-6

    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

  • Luke 1:19

    And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

  • Matthew 1:18

    Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

  • Joel 2:28

    And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

  • Luke 2:4

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

  • Matthew 2:19

    But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

  • Judges 13:3

    And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

  • Genesis 31:11

    And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

  • Isaiah 26:3

    Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

  • Matthew 28:5

    And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

  • Luke 1:10-13

    And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

  • Luke 1:26-38

    And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
while.
Ps 25:8,9; 94:19; 119:125; 143:8; Pr 3:5,6; 12:5; Isa 26:3; 30:21
the angel.
Jud 13:3,8,9; Lu 1:10-13,19,26-38; 2:8-14
in.
2:13,19,22; Ge 31:11; Nu 12:6; Job 4:13-16; 33:15-17; Joe 2:28
Joseph.
Isa 7:2,13; Jer 33:26; Lu 2:4
fear not.
28:5; Ge 46:3; 1Ki 17:13; Isa 51:7; Jer 40:9; Lu 1:30
that.
18; Jer 31:22
conceived. Gr. begotten.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 1:19

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

  • Matthew 1:20

    But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

  • Matthew 1:21

    And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Read all of Matthew 1

Matthew 1:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y pensando él en esto, he aquí el ángel del Señor le aparece en sueños, diciendo: José, hijo de David, no temas de recibir á María tu mujer, porque lo que en ella es engendrado, del Espíritu Santo es.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais comme il méditait sur ces choses, voici, un ange du ✶Seigneur lui apparut en songe, disant: Joseph, fils de David, ne crains pas de prendre auprès de toi Marie ta femme, car ce qui a été conçu en elle est de l’Esprit Saint;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Indem er aber solches bei sich überlegte, siehe, da erschien ihm ein Engel des Herrn im Traum und sprach: Joseph, Sohn Davids, fürchte dich nicht, Maria, dein Weib, zu dir zu nehmen; denn das in ihr Gezeugte ist von dem Heiligen Geiste.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hæc autem eo cogitante, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis ei, dicens: Joseph, fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam: quod enim in ea natum est, de Spiritu Sancto est.