Bible Strands
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew's narrative voice, addressing his Jewish-Christian readers, bridging the angel's command to Joseph (1:21–22) and Joseph's obedience (1:24). The verse functions as a theological hinge in the birth narrative.
The words — παρθένος (parthenos) carries the specific sense of "virgin," a deliberate Greek rendering of the Hebrew עַלְמָה (ʿalmāh, "young woman") in Isaiah 7:14, narrowing the referent.
The thread — The direct source is Isaiah 7:14; the "unto us" language echoes Isaiah 9:6, and the "God with us" claim resonates with Psalm 46:11 ("The LORD of Hosts is with us").
Why it lands — The verse makes a historical claim: a specific child's name encodes a claim about divine presence. It asks the reader to accept that "God with us" is not a sentiment but a statement about what happened to one person.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Psalms 46:11 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
- 1 Timothy 3:16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
- Psalms 46:7 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Romans 1:3 regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,
- Isaiah 8:8 It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!
- Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”