Matthew 1:20
What does Matthew 1:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 1:20 means
As Joseph contemplated his difficult decision, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, providing divine clarification and reassurance. The angel addressed him as "Joseph, thou son of David," reaffirming his royal lineage and connecting him to the messianic expectation. The core message was to "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife," explicitly stating that her pregnancy was "of the Holy Spirit." This supernatural revelation removed Joseph's doubts, validated Mary's purity, and unveiled the miraculous origin of the child.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And 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 <FI>is<Fi> of the Holy Spirit,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but 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.
Context
This verse is pivotal, introducing divine intervention into Joseph's personal crisis described in verse 19. It directly responds to his dilemma, providing the necessary angelic revelation that validates Mary's story and explains the miraculous conception. This dream experience directly precedes and motivates Joseph's immediate obedience, forming the crucial link between human perplexity and divine guidance in the birth narrative.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.
- Genesis 46:3
And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
- Matthew 2:22
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
- Psalms 143:8
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.
- Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream.
- Psalms 119:125
I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
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