Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. It is a deep, mysterious, and delicate subject, fitter for reverent faith than for speculative curiosity. The Holy Ghost wrought in the chosen virgin the body of our Lord.
The mystery of Christ's incarnation is to be adored, not pried into.
If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Eccles 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin.
Espoused to Joseph — The word μνηστευθεισης, from μνηστευω, to contract, or betroth, refers to the previous marriage agreement, in which the parties mutually bound themselves to each other; Before they came together — The woman was espoused at her own, or her father's house; and, generally, some time elapsed before she was taken home to the house of her husband: Deuteronomy 20:7; Judges 14:7-8.
1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
JESUS — The same as Joshua, יהושע Yehoshua, from ישע yasha, he saved, delivered, put in a state of safety. See on Exodus 13:9; Numbers 13:16, and in the preface to Joshua.
He shall save his people from their sins. — This shall be his great business in the world: the great errand on which he is come, viz. to make an atonement for, and to destroy, sin: deliverance from all the power, guilt, and pollution of sin, is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus.
1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Her first-born son — Τον υιον αυτης τον πρω-οτοκον. Literally, That son of hers, the first-born one. That Mary might have had other children, any person may reasonably and piously believe; that she had others, many think exceedingly probable, and that this text is at least an indirect proof of it.
Espoused to Joseph — The word μνηστευθεισης, from μνηστευω, to contract, or betroth, refers to the previous marriage agreement, in which the parties mutually bound themselves to each other; Before they came together — The woman was espoused at her own, or her father's house; and, generally, some time elapsed before she was taken home to the house of her husband: Deuteronomy 20:7; Judges 14:7-8.
1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mary was espoused to him and he was saddened and perplexed when he learned that she would become a mother before they had been actually married. Many would have thrust her away in indignation and put her to an open shame, but Joseph was of royal mind as well as royal race. He would not expose what he thought to be the sin of his espoused wife—although he felt that she must be put away, he would do it quietly. When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner.
1:20 But 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.
That which is conceived (or formed) in her — So I think γεννηθεν should be translated in this place: as it appears that the human nature of Jesus Christ was a real creation in the womb of the virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the Lord mentioned here was probably the angel Gabriel, who, six months before, bad been sent to Zacharias and Elisabeth, to announce the birth of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist.
That which is conceived (or formed) in her — So I think γεννηθεν should be translated in this place: as it appears that the human nature of Jesus Christ was a real creation in the womb of the virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the Lord mentioned here was probably the angel Gabriel, who, six months before, bad been sent to Zacharias and Elisabeth, to announce the birth of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist.
1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
JESUS — The same as Joshua, יהושע Yehoshua, from ישע yasha, he saved, delivered, put in a state of safety. See on Exodus 13:9; Numbers 13:16, and in the preface to Joshua.
He shall save his people from their sins. — This shall be his great business in the world: the great errand on which he is come, viz. to make an atonement for, and to destroy, sin: deliverance from all the power, guilt, and pollution of sin, is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus.
1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
By the prophet — ISAIAH is added here by several MSS., versions, and fathers. The prophecy is taken from Isaiah 7:14.
1:23 Behold, 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.
1:23 Behold, 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.
Jesus is called Emmanuel, or God with us, in his incarnation. - God united to our nature - God with man - God in man. Emmanuel signifies God with us; a mysterious name, but very precious; God incarnate among us, and so God reconcilable to us, at peace with us, and taking us into covenant and communion with Himself.
1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Joseph's obedience to the divine precept. Being raised from sleep by the impression which the dream made upon him, he did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, though it was contrary to his former sentiments and intentions; he took unto him his wife; he did is speedily, without delay.
1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.
1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.
No comments:
Post a Comment