Matthew 1:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Matthew pauses to note that these events fulfill what God had long ago spoken through the prophet.
What Does Matthew 1:22 Mean?
Matthew interrupts the narrative to point back to Scripture. What is unfolding with Mary and Joseph is not a sudden improvisation but the fulfillment of a word the Lord had spoken centuries earlier through His prophet.
This is one of the great themes of the Gospel: God keeps His word. The birth of Jesus is shown to be the appointed answer to an ancient promise, binding the new event tightly to the long hope of God's people.
Matthew 1:22 in the Original Language
pleroo (πληρόω), 'fulfil' -- to fill up or bring to completion, here of a prophecy reaching its appointed realization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 1:22
What does Matthew 1:22 mean?
Matthew pauses to note that these events fulfill what God had long ago spoken through the prophet.