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King James Version

Matthew 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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Angel (a Spirit);   Conception;   Dream;   Faith;   Holy Spirit;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Joseph;   Miracles;   Trinity;   Scofield Reference Index - Christ;   Holy Spirit;   Thompson Chain Reference - Angels;   Appearances;   Dreams;   Genealogies of Christ;   The Topic Concordance - Jesus Christ;   Name;   Salvation;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Angels;   Dreams;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Angel;   Betrothing;   Dream;   Genealogy;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Angels;   Dream;   Immanuel;   Joseph the husband of mary;   Marriage;   Mary;   Miracles;   Remnant;   Virgin;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Angel;   Appear, Appearance;   Body;   Holy Spirit;   Sanctification;   Sleep;   Virgin Birth;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Nativity of Christ;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Angel;   Betroth;   Divination;   Dream;   Husband;   Mary;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Angels;   Dream;   Genealogy of Jesus Christ;   Holy Spirit, the;   Joseph;   Prophet;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Angel;   Annunciation;   Archangel;   Inspiration of Scripture;   Joseph;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Spirit;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Angel;   Angel of the Lord (Jahweh);   Dreams;   God;   Interpretation;   Jesus Christ;   Joseph;   Lord;   Magic, Divination, and Sorcery;   Mss;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Angels;   Angels (2);   Begetting;   Birth of Christ;   Dream;   Dream (2);   Flight;   Genealogies of Jesus Christ;   Holiness Purity;   Holy Spirit (2);   Holy Thing ;   Hymn;   Impotence;   Infancy;   Joseph (2);   Lord (2);   Matthew, Gospel According to;   Myth;   Presentation ;   Son of David;   Spirit ;   Trinity (2);   Virgin Birth;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Begotten;   Dreams;   God;   Joseph ;   Lord;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Nazarene;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Dream;   Holy;   Joseph;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Jo'seph;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Miraculous Conception;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Angel;   Augury;   Divide;   Dream;   Fear;   Holy Spirit;   Joseph, Husband of Mary;   Mary;   Master;   Papyrus;   Spirit;   Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament;   Think;   Virgin-Birth (of Jesus Christ);   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   New Testament;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for April 8;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But after Joseph thought about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Whill he thus thought behold ye angell of ye Lorde appered vnto him in a dreame saynge: Ioseph ye sonne of David feare not to take vnto ye Mary thy wyfe. For that which is coceaved in her is of the holy goost.
International Standard Version
After he had thought about it, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.Luke 1:35;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
New Century Version
While Joseph thought about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Update Bible Version
But when he was thinking about these things, look, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take your wife Mary, because what has been born in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Webster's Bible Translation
But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.
Amplified Bible
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
World English Bible
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But while he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife; for that which is begotten in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
Weymouth's New Testament
But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to bring home your wife Mary, for she is with child through the Holy Spirit.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But while he thouyte thes thingis, lo! the aungel of the Lord apperide `in sleep to hym, and seide, Joseph, the sone of Dauid, nyle thou drede to take Marie, thi wijf; for that thing that is borun in hir is of the Hooli Goost.
English Revised Version
But 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 Ghost.
Berean Standard Bible
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Contemporary English Version
While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her.
American Standard Version
But 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.
Bible in Basic English
But 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.
Complete Jewish Bible
But while he was thinking about this, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream and said, "Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh.
Darby Translation
but 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.
Etheridge Translation
But while (on) these (things) he reflected, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said to him, Jauseph, son of David, fear not to take Mariam thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is from the Spirit of Holiness.
Murdock Translation
And while he contemplated these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said to him: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her, is from the Holy Spirit:
King James Version (1611)
But while hee thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared vnto him in a dreame, saying, Ioseph thou sonne of Dauid, feare not to take vnto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceiued in her, is of the holy Ghost.
New Living Translation
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
New Life Bible
While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is to become a mother by the Holy Spirit.
New Revised Standard
But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But whiles he thought these things, behold, the Angel of the Lorde appeared vnto him in a dreame, saying, Ioseph, the sonne of Dauid, feare not to take Mary thy wife: for that which is conceiued in her, is of the holy Ghost.
George Lamsa Translation
While he was considering this, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said to him, O, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary, because he that is to be born of her is of the Holy Spirit.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, when, these things, he had pondered, lo! a messenger of the Lord, by dream, appeared to him, saying, - Joseph, son of David! do not fear to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for, that which, in her, hath been begotten, is of the , Holy, Spirit.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But 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.
Revised Standard Version
But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But whyle he thought these thinges, beholde, the Angell of the Lord appeared vnto hym in a dreame, saying: Ioseph, thou sonne of Dauid, feare not to take [vnto thee] Marie thy wife, for that which is conceaued in her, is of the holy ghost.
Good News Translation
While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.
Christian Standard Bible®
But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Hebrew Names Version
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Yosef, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Miryam, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Ruach HaKodesh.
Lexham English Bible
But as he was considering these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Literal Translation
And as he was thinking about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord was seen by him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For that in her is generated by the Holy Spirit.
Young's Literal Translation
And 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 [is] of the Holy Spirit,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Neuertheles whyle he thus thought, beholde, the angell of the LORDE appered vnto him in a dreame, saynge: Ioseph thou sonne of Dauid, feare not to take vnto the Mary thy wyfe. For that which is coceaued in her, is of ye holy goost.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit.
THE MESSAGE
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").
New English Translation
When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
New King James Version
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Simplified Cowboy Version
While Joseph sat ponderin' his options, an angel appeared to him and told him not to run out on Mary. Seems her baby wasn't by any human, but conceived by the Holy Ghost.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Legacy Standard Bible
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the One who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Contextual Overview

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus .

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

while: Psalms 25:8, Psalms 25:9, Psalms 94:19, Psalms 119:125, Psalms 143:8, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 12:5, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 30:21

the angel: Judges 13:3, Judges 13:8, Judges 13:9, Luke 1:10-13, Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:8-14

in: Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 2:22, Genesis 31:11, Numbers 12:6, Job 4:13-16, Job 33:15-17, Joel 2:28

Joseph: Isaiah 7:2, Isaiah 7:13, Jeremiah 33:26, Luke 2:4

fear not: Matthew 28:5, Genesis 46:3, 1 Kings 17:13, Isaiah 51:7, Jeremiah 40:9, Luke 1:30

that: Matthew 1:18, Jeremiah 31:22

conceived: Gr. begotten

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:3 - a dream Genesis 28:12 - he dreamed Genesis 31:24 - dream Deuteronomy 22:24 - he hath humbled Judges 7:9 - the same Judges 14:8 - to take her 1 Samuel 28:6 - by dreams 1 Kings 3:5 - in a dream Isaiah 49:1 - The Lord Jeremiah 23:25 - dreamed Matthew 2:12 - warned Matthew 18:10 - their Luke 1:35 - The Holy Ghost Luke 2:9 - lo John 1:14 - the Word John 14:26 - Holy Ghost Acts 11:12 - nothing Acts 15:16 - build again the tabernacle Romans 1:3 - which Hebrews 1:14 - minister Hebrews 10:5 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 1:7
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Genesis 1:22
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
Genesis 1:24
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 1:25
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
Genesis 2:19
And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Genesis 8:17
Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
1 Kings 4:33
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
Psalms 148:10
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But while he thought on these things,.... While he was revolving them in his mind, considering what was most fit and proper to be done, whether to dismiss her publicly or privately; while he was consulting within himself the glory of God, the peace of his own conscience, and the credit of Mary,

behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream; probably the same Angel which appeared to Zacharias, and brought him tidings that his wife should have a son, and who also appeared to Mary, and acquainted her that she should conceive, and bring forth the Messiah, Whose name was Gabriel, Luke 1:11. If we will believe the Jews, this Angel must be Gabriel, since he is the Angel who they say d

דממנא על חלמא "is appointed over dreams"; for he appeared to

Joseph in a dream, which is one of the ways and methods in which the Lord, or an Angel of his, has appeared to the saints formerly, and has answered them, see Genesis 31:11 and is reckoned by the Jews e one of the degrees or kinds of prophecy: and so the Angel here not only encourages Joseph to take to him his wife,

saying Joseph, thou son of David; which is said partly to attest his being of the house and lineage of David, and partly to raise his expectations and confirm his faith, that his wife should bring forth the promised son of David; and chiefly to engage his attention to what he was about to say,

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; do not be afraid either that thou shalt offend the Lord, or bring any reproach or scandal upon thyself as if thou didst connive at an adulteress; but as she is thine espoused wife, solemnly betrothed to thee, take her home to thyself, live with her as thy wife, and openly avow her as such. To which he is encouraged by the following reason or argument,

for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost; she has not been guilty of any criminal conversation with men; this conception of her's is of the Holy Ghost, and entirely owing to his coming upon her, and overshadowing her in a wonderful and miraculous manner. I say, the Angel not only encourages Joseph after this manner, but delivers something to him by way of prophecy, in the following verse.

d Zohar in Gen. fol. 103. 3. e Zohar in Gen. fol. 103. 3. & Maimon. Yesode Hattorah. c. 7. l. 13.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He thought on these things - He did not act hastily. He did not take the course which the law would have permitted him to do, if he had been hasty, violent, or unjust. It was a case deeply affecting his happiness, his character, and the reputation and character of his chosen companion. God will guide the thoughtful and the anxious. And when we have looked patiently at a perplexed subject, and know not what to do, then God, as in the case of Joseph, will interpose to lead us and direct our way. Psalms 25:9.

The angel of the Lord - The word “angel” literally means a messenger. It is applied chiefly in the Scriptures to those invisible holy beings who have not fallen into sin: who live in heaven (1 Timothy 5:21; compare Jude 1:6); and who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. See the Hebrews 1:13-14 notes, and Daniel 9:21 note. The word is sometimes applied to men, as messengers Luke 7:24; Luke 9:52; James 2:25; to the winds Psalms 104:4; to the pestilence Psalms 78:49; or to whatever is appointed to make known or to execute the will of God. It is commonly applied, however, to the unfallen, happy spirits that are in heaven, whose dignity and pleasure it is to do the will of God. Various ways were employed by them in making known the will of God, by dreams, visions, assuming a human appearance, etc.

In a dream - This was a common way of making known the will of God to the ancient prophets and people of God, Genesis 20:3; Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:11, Genesis 30:24; Genesis 37:5; Genesis 41:1; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 7:1; Job 4:13-15; compare my notes at Isaiah. In what way it was ascertained that these dreams were from God cannot now be ascertained, It is sufficient for us to know that in this way many of the prophecies were communicated, and to remark that there is no evidence that we are to put reliance on our dreams. Dreams are wild, irregular movements of the mind when it is unshackled by reason, and it is mere superstition to suppose that God now makes known His will in this way.

Son of David - Descendant of David. See Matthew 1:1. The angel put him in mind of his relation to David perhaps to prepare him for the intelligence that Mary was to be the mother of the Messiah - the promised heir of David.

Fear not - Do not hesitate, or have any apprehensions about her virtue and purity. Do not fear that she will be unworthy of you, or will disgrace you.

To take unto thee Mary thy wife - To take her as thy wife; to recognize her as such, and to treat her as such.

For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost - Is the direct creation of divine power. A body was thus prepared pure and holy, and free from the corruption of sin, in order that he might be qualified for his great work the offering of a pure sacrifice to God. As this was necessary in order to the great work which he came to perform, Joseph is directed by an angel to receive her as pure and virtuous, and as every way worthy of his love. Compare the notes at Hebrews 10:5.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 1:20. 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. See Luke 1:36.


 
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