Matthew 1:23
What does Matthew 1:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 1:23 means
Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14, declaring, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us." This prophecy directly confirms the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth to a virgin, as foretold centuries earlier. The name "Immanuel" powerfully reveals Jesus' divine identity: He is literally "God with us," emphasizing His incarnation—God dwelling among humanity. This verse solidifies the theological significance of the virgin birth and Jesus' unique nature as both God and man.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, the virgin will be with child, and will give birth to a son, and they will give him the name Immanuel, that is, God with us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Lo, the virgin shall conceive, and she shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,' which is, being interpreted `With us <FI>he is<Fi> God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, 'God with us.'
Context
This verse provides the specific Old Testament prophecy that Matthew references in verse 22. It immediately follows Matthew's declaration of fulfillment, giving the exact words from Isaiah. This prophetic quotation provides powerful scriptural support for the virgin conception and the divine identity of Jesus, validating the angel's message to Joseph and connecting the present events to God's ancient plan.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:19
to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
- Acts 18:9
And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:
- Psalms 46:7
Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah
- 2 Timothy 4:22
The Lord be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Isaiah 8:8
and it shall sweep onward into Judah; it shall overflow and pass through; it shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
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Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 1
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