Angelic Announcement to Joseph

Matthew 1:20-21

Joseph was a thoughtful compassionate man. He had determined his course of action, but he had not yet carried it out. The text reads, “But while he thought about these things…” (1:20). The Greek word enthumethentos (pondered, or thought) is an aorist passive participle, thus the dream occurred not “while,” but “after” he had pondered and arrived at his course of action.

Joseph’s conclusion was based on inadequate information. He is planning an action upon assumption, not upon the facts—always dangerous to do. God intervened before such an action could be taken. God is free to change our plans, for He is Sovereign. God intervened by an angelic visitation during his sleep. The word dream is onar, meaning a vision while sleeping, distinction from a vision while one is awake. This word occurs only in Matthew where six dreams occur (Matt 1:20; 2:12-13, 19, 22; 27:19), of which Joseph has four of them. The Wise men have one. The event surrounding the birth is the major event where dreams are used. France says, “The point of their concentration in these chapters is to emphasize the initiative of God in guiding Joseph’s actions through this crucial period” (NICNT: MATTHEW, 52). The only occurrence outside the nativity narrative is that given to Pilate’s wife at the trail of Jesus. These dreams gave either warning or guidance. All this happen before the cross, thus we are on Old Testament ground. Dreams were often used as means of divine revelation in the Old Testament (Gen. 37:5-7, 9; Dan. 2:7, Job 33:15-17). The New Testament (New Covenant) did not come into existence before the cross. God does not reveal truth through dreams today, rather truth is completely revealed today by the Holy Spirit through the written Word of God. There is no indication of onar after the end of the Old Testament era.

There is no definite article (the) in the text, so it is not “the angel of the Lord” (a pre-incarnate visit of Christ), but “an angel of the Lord” that appears to Joseph. The Jews considered a message that is brought by angels was considered it was authoritative. The angels’ sole function is only to bring revelation to Joseph. Observe that the angel addresses Joseph as a ‘son of David,’ clearly indicating that he was a member of the royal line. It is a title of dignity and royalty. This ties “to the preceding genealogy” and “maintains interest in the theme of the Davidic Messiah,” (D.A. Carson, Matthew, 75) indicating the strong Jewish emphasis of this Gospel.

The message of the angel to Joseph was personal and direct.  It can be simply outlined as:

            A. Instruction

                        B. Reason

            A. Instruction

                        B. Reason

Notice the balance between instruction and reason. God does not give instructions without reasons. In divine guidance one can rest assured that God never instructs us to do something without a reason or purpose behind it, although the reason or purpose is not always immediately evident. Faith realizes this truth and acts upon it.

The instruction is for Joseph to marry Mary. He is not to be afraid, but to “take” her as his wife. The word “take” is the Greek word paralabein, and is an aorist active infinitive, indicating to take to one’s side. It is used of taking one into a man’s home as his wife (J. Nolland, NIGTC: MATTHEW, 97). This is no doubt a reference to the third step of marriage, which is to take the bride to his home to complete the marriage. This summons Joseph to faith, however, in this case faith is not blind. The reason is that Mary was not unfaithful to him. Rather the child is a product of the Holy Spirit’s power.  Mary had no sexual involvement in the conception. Mary is not unclean, for the conception was a miracle. She is still a virgin. 

Next, he was instruction is to “call His name Jesus” (Matt. 1:21). The angel reveals that Mary will bring forth a son. He is to be named Jesus. In the text, it is a future indicative, serving as an imperative or command. The reason this child is to be name Jesus is because “he will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus means, “Jehovah saves” or “Jehovah is salvation.” The word “He” is empathic, meaning it is He, and He alone who shall save His people (cf. Acts 4:12).He is the agent of salvation. His name indicates His primary and fundamental work in His first coming. This is dispensationally important. The word “people” here is laon, and used only of Jews in distinction to Gentiles. The personal pronoun (his) points to Jesus as a member of the Jewish race. The Jewish character of the Matthew’s Gospel is again evident. The Jews looked for not only a political Messiah, but also a redeemer from sin. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promised one who would be the redeemer of Israel. Before He could inaugurate the Kingdom, He had to provide the means of salvation. Thus, the offer of the Kingdom comes after the Cross (Acts 3:19-21), not before it. We read of no clear offer of the Kingdom before the cross, although it was “at hand.”