Matthew 1:18

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
KJV
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.
WEB
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
ASV
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
DARBY
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: His mother, Mary, that is, having been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of [the] Holy Spirit.
BLB
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: His mother Mary, having been betrothed to Joseph, before their coming together was found having in womb from the Holy Spirit.
ÅB
Slik gikk det til da Jesus Kristus ble født: Hans mor Maria var lovet i ekteskap til Josef. Men før de var kommet sammen, viste det seg at hun var gravid ved den Hellige Ånd.
OTB
Nå skjedde Jesu Messias' fødsel på denne måten: Da hans mor Maria var trolovet med Josef, før de kom sammen, ble hun funnet med barn ved Den Hellige Ånd.
B1930
Men med Jesu Kristi fødsel gikk det således til: Da hans mor Maria var trolovet med Josef, viste det sig, før de var kommet sammen, at hun var fruktsommelig ved den Hellige Ånd.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Galatians 4:4–5

    But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:27–38

    to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 10:5

    Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.

    Read in context
  • Job 14:4

    Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!

    Read in context
  • Genesis 3:15

    And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

    Read in context
  • Job 15:14

    What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 7:26

    Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:25

    “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

    Read in context