Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin
Matthew 1:18-25
MATTHEW 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this manner. For when his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19. And Joseph her husband, as he was a just man, and was unwilling to injure her reputation, intended to send her away secretly. 20. And while he was considering these things, lo, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21. And she shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. 22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel: which, if one interprets it, means, God is with us. 24. Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife: 25. And knew her not, till she brought forth her first-born son: and called his name JESUS.
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ Matthew does not as yet relate the place or manner of Christ's birth, but the way in which his heavenly generation was made known to Joseph. First, he says that Mary was found to be with child by the Holy
Spirit Not that this secret work of God was generally known: but the historian mixes up, with the knowledge of men,97 the power of the Spirit, which was still unknown.
He points out the time: When she was espoused to Joseph, and before they came together So far as respects conjugal fidelity, from the time that a young woman was betrothed to a man, she was regarded by the Jews as his lawful wife. When a "damsel betrothed to an husband" was convicted of being unchaste, the law condemned both of the guilty parties as adulterers: "the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife," (Deuteronomy 22:23, 24.)
97("Qui voyoyent bien par signes externes que Marie estoit enceinte.") —("Who saw well by outward marks that Mary was pregnant.")