Matthew 1:21

Lore & Background

The original Koine Greek, according to Westcott and Hort, reads: τεξεται δε υιον και καλεσεις το ονομα αυτου ιησουν αυτος γαρ σωσει τον λαον αυτου απο των αμαρτιων αυτων. In the King James Version, the text reads: 'And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' The World English Bible translates it as: 'She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.'

Reader's Guide

France notes that in the Old Testament only God had the power to absolve sins, thus this verse shows that Jesus will be far greater than any of the prophets. The traditional view is that this verse shows the messiah's role would be a spiritual liberator, not a national one. Warren Carter disagrees, believing the author originally intended this saving to be political, citing the infancy narrative's focus on the Kings of Judah and King Herod. Gundry sees this verse as evidence of how Matthew viewed sin: pluralizing 'sin' implies sin is not a universal force but the fault of the sinner, and deliverance is rescuing people from punishment for sinning. Church Fathers such as Chrysostom, Jerome, and Peter Chrysologus emphasize that Jesus means 'Saviour' and that only God can forgive sins.

Did You Know?

• The verse is the first clear indication of how the author of Matthew sees Jesus.
• France notes that in the Old Testament only God had the power to absolve sins.
• Gundry reports that Matthew pluralizes the word 'sin', implying sin is not a universal force.
• Jerome states that Jesus is a Hebrew word meaning 'Saviour'.