Bible Strands
Matthew 1:20
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — An angel of the Lord addresses Joseph in a dream after Joseph had privately resolved to divorce Mary quietly. The message interrupts Joseph’s deliberation to clarify the divine origin of Mary’s pregnancy.
The words — ἐνθυμηθέντος (enthumēthentos) denotes a deliberate mental weighing of circumstances, and ἄγγελος (angelos) identifies the divine messenger who interrupts this process.
The thread — The angel’s dream appearance and reassurance follow the pattern seen in Matthew 1:18, where Mary’s betrothal status prompts divine intervention. The theme of trusting beyond human calculation aligns with the instruction in Proverbs 3:5 to lean not on one’s own understanding.
Why it lands — The text demands a shift from private calculation to immediate obedience, requiring Joseph to accept a reality that defies social convention. It asks the reader to recognize that divine action precedes human resolution and requires trust in the stated origin rather than personal judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Matthew 1:18 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.
- Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
- Matthew 2:19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
- Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
- Genesis 31:11 In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’
- Judges 13:3 The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.
- Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- Matthew 28:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.