Lesson 153: Matthew 1:21
Lesson 153: Matthew 1:21
Matthew 1:21
The Blueprint — The Verse
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Memorization Practice
Click words to hide them and test your memory.
Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
Rate your recall:
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians grappling with Jesus as Messiah in a Roman world. Angelic announcements echoed Old Testament birth oracles given to barren mothers and covenant fathers.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Joseph learned Mary was pregnant and planned to divorce her quietly. The angel commanded him to take Mary as wife and name the child Jesus—Yeshua, the LORD saves—from sins, not merely political trouble.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
-
Matthew 1:20
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.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Matthew 1:20) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
-
Matthew 1:22
Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Matthew 1:22) to continue the passage.
Discussion
-
Why is saving from sin central to Jesus' mission?
-
What did naming signify in Joseph's culture?
-
How does this birth announcement change history?
Places — Map this passage
Locations mentioned in this lesson passage. Switch to Whole book or Journey mode on the map for a broader view.
Places list
Geographic data © OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)