The Action of Joseph

Matthew 1:24-25

(Last of a series on Matthew 1:18-25)

Joseph action was that of obedience, for he was an obedient man. Joseph replaced his plan with faithful obedience to the Word of God. He did not ask for confirmation; he did not need to, for the Word had been given, the action needed was obedience. There is no need for additional guidance when the Word clearly tells us what to do.  The need is only to obey. In spite of the fact of what people may think and say, Joseph acted in confident faith that he was doing the will of God. “Joseph…did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife” (1:24). He places his willingness to obey above his own honor. To take Mary as his wife, it would be naturally assumed by others that Mary had been unfaithful, or that they violated their vows before marriage. The child would be early fueling speculation. Mary and Joseph elect to take on disgrace, embarrassment, and humiliation to maintain the blessedness of God’s call.

He made the Child his own. Two things are marked in the text: First, he made Mary his wife. Second, he named the son Jesus.  Both actions completed the legal “adoption” of Jesus as Joseph’s son.

Not only was Joseph a righteous and obedient man, he was also one of great restraint and self discipline.   He “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (1:25). The couple had no sexual contact until after the birth of Christ. The euphemism of “know” is common in the Bible for the sexual contact. “Mary was to be a virgin not only at the point of conception but also at the point of giving birth” (Nolland, MATTHEW, 103). The reason for the abstinence is not explained; except it takes away any doubt and confirms the conception was supernatural in origin. It also makes clear that perpetual virginity is not taught in this statement, or in Scripture. They enjoyed and had a sexual relationship after the birth of Christ is clearly indicated. The facts are that Mary and Joseph had other children (Mark 6:2-3, Matthew 12:46; 13:54-56). There were at least four half brothers and two half sisters. They are half brothers and sisters because Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father. These are not Jesus’ nephews and nieces, nor are they Joseph’s children from another marriage, as some would suggest. Luke 2:7 says Jesus was her “firstborn” son, indicating there were other sons after this birth. Perpetual virginity violates the clear meaning of Scripture. It is clear that Mary and Joseph entered fully into married life after the birth of Jesus. These brothers and sisters were not virgin born. Matthew clearly states that the virginity of Mary was limited. It was “till” the birth of Christ. To hold to the perpetual virginity is wrong scripturally. It is wrong morally, because it downgrades the dignity of marriage. It is wrong doctrinally because it deifies Mary.

Matthew simply records the fact of the birth, not the details. The continuance of Joseph’s obedience is seen in the fact that “he called his name Jesus.” A name above all names.  He is the God-man—the Savor.  His humanity is seen in his genealogy. His Deity is seen in the virgin birth. Gaebelein notes:

If Matthew 1:1-17 were all that could be said of His birth, He might then have had a legal right to the throne, but He could never have been He who was to redeem and save from sin. But, the second half before us shows Him to be truly the long promised One, the One of whom Moses and the prophets spake, to whom all the past manifestations of God in the earth and the types, pointed. (MATTHEW, 27).