Devine Scripture

Matthew 1:21

What does Matthew 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 1:21 means

The angel further revealed to Joseph the divinely ordained purpose and identity of the child: Mary "shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS." The name "Jesus" (Greek for Joshua) means "Yahweh saves" or "the Lord is salvation." The angel explicitly states the reason for this name: "for it is he that shall save his people from their sins." This declares Jesus' primary mission as a spiritual deliverer, not primarily a political or military one, establishing His divine identity and redemptive purpose for humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And she will give birth to a son; and you will give him the name Jesus; for he will give his people salvation from their sins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse follows directly from the angel's initial reassurance to Joseph, providing further instruction regarding the child's name and mission. It builds upon the revelation of the Holy Spirit's role in the conception, now defining the child's purpose. This prophetic utterance sets a key theme for Matthew's Gospel—Jesus as Savior from sin—and also leads into the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the subsequent verses.

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.

v.21This passage

v.22Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Cross references

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

  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

  • 2 Kings 4:16

    And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.

  • Acts 13:38

    Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:

  • Colossians 1:20

    and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

  • John 1:29

    On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!

  • Acts 4:12

    And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

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