03/24/26

Matthew 1:24-25 We previously read that the angel in Joseph’s dream told him that Mary would become pregnant and would give birth to a son, and that they were to name Him Immanuel, which means “God with us.” As a result of this message, we are told, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” This emphasizes the immediate and unwavering nature of Joseph’s response. There was no hesitation or argument, just faithful obedience. This highlights Joseph’s submission to God’s authority and his trust in the divine message delivered through the angel. By taking Mary as his lawfully wedded wife, he confirmed that the child she carried was his responsibility, despite the social stigma and personal challenges involved. Furthermore, Joseph’s willingness to obey despite potential social repercussions and the seemingly impossible circumstances demonstrates his deep faith and commitment to righteousness. By marrying Mary and providing a legal lineage through his connection to David, Joseph played a crucial role in allowing God to fulfill prophecies about the Messiah’s birth. In addition, Joseph’s obedience ensured that Jesus would be born into a secure and loving family environment, protecting him and Mary from harm and fulfilling God’s plan for the Savior’s arrival. As such, Joseph serves as an example for us today, showing the importance of listening to and obeying God’s voice, even when it requires personal sacrifice and seems illogical from a human perspective.

Furthermore, in the biblical context, “to know” often refers to sexual relations, making the verse a clear statement that Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after the birth of Jesus. This has led to differing interpretations, particularly concerning the perpetual virginity of Mary. Some believe “till” indicates a change in the relationship: This interpretation suggests that Joseph and Mary engaged in marital relations after Jesus’ birth, implying that Mary had other children with Joseph, according to carm.org. Proponents of this view may cite references to Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” in other biblical passages (e.g., Matthew 13:55-56) as evidence. However, the term “firstborn” doesn’t inherently imply later births, as it primarily designates a child’s legal standing and inheritance rights. This view, prevalent in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, maintains that “till” in this context does not necessarily imply that Joseph and Mary had sexual relations after Jesus’ birth. They argue that the verse focuses solely on the virgin birth of Jesus.

Then there is the view that Joseph was already a middle-aged man whose first wife had died, and that he needed someone to care for his five children. So, he married a young girl, possibly still a teenager, living in Nazareth, as the one he trusted the most since he apparently knew her parents and that she was from a good, God-fearing family. On the other hand, whether Joseph and Mary had other children is a subject of debate between Christian traditions. The Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Assyrian churches teach that Mary remained a virgin, meaning she had no other children, and that biblical “brethren” of Jesus were cousins or step-siblings from a previous marriage of Joseph. However, many Protestant traditions interpret the New Testament literally, holding that James, Joseph/Joses, Simon, and Jude were biological children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus. In either case, Jesus’ virgin birth is the main subject of Matthew’s narrative.

What theological implications are there in these verses? They highlight Joseph’s immediate, obedient, and faithful response to God’s calling, providing key lessons on trusting God’s plan over personal reputation. Joseph’s actions illustrate the necessity of righteous, quiet obedience, prioritizing divine purpose over social stigma or family objections to carry out God’s will for our lives. [See Luke 14:26 – Living Bible].