Devine Scripture

Matthew 1:19

What does Matthew 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 1:19 means

Faced with Mary's unexpected pregnancy, Joseph, described as a "righteous man," grappled with his legal and moral obligations. His righteousness meant he could not simply ignore the situation, as it appeared Mary had committed adultery, which carried severe penalties under the Law. However, his compassionate character led him to seek a private divorce, rather than publicly expose Mary to shame and potential legal repercussions. This reveals Joseph's integrity, sensitivity, and desire to act mercifully even in a deeply perplexing and painful situation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Joseph, her husband, being an upright man, and not desiring to make her a public example, had a mind to put her away privately.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Joseph her husband being righteous, and not willing to make her an example, did wish privately to send her away.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Joseph, her husband, being [a] righteous [man], and unwilling to expose her publicly, purposed to have put her away secretly;

Context

This verse immediately follows the declaration of Mary's Holy Spirit-conception, detailing Joseph's human reaction to her mysterious pregnancy. It forms the immediate background for the angelic encounter by explaining Joseph's inner conflict and intended course of action. His decision to divorce Mary privately sets the scene for the divine intervention needed to clarify the situation and guide his next steps, revealing God's care for all involved.

v.18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

v.19This passage

v.20But 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 6:20

    for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.

  • Deuteronomy 24:1

    When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

  • Leviticus 20:10

    And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

  • Luke 2:25

    And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

  • John 8:4

    they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act.

  • Leviticus 19:20

    And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

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