Matthew 1:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The name given to this child is its own promise: God has come to be with us.
The Context of Matthew 1:23
An angel has just told Joseph in a dream not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child is from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Matthew then quotes the prophet Isaiah, spoken some seven centuries earlier, to show that this birth is the fulfillment of an ancient promise.
What Does Matthew 1:23 Mean?
Matthew reaches back and lifts a line straight out of Isaiah: a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and His name will be Emmanuel. Then he stops to translate it for us, in case we miss the weight of it. Emmanuel means 'God with us.' The name carries real news, announcing what has actually happened in this birth. The God who seemed so high and far has drawn near as a child born into our world, come to stay among us.
This is the promise at the center of everything. In Jesus, God is with us, sharing our streets, our tears, our flesh and blood. He came near to a world that could not climb up to Him. And the nearness does not end at the manger; the same Jesus promises at the close of this Gospel, 'I am with you alway' (Matthew 28:20). From His first breath to His final word, He is God with us.
Matthew 1:23 in the Original Language
immanu-el (עִמָּנוּ אֵל), 'Emmanuel' -- literally 'with us God,' a name that is itself a promise.
How to Apply Matthew 1:23 Today
This verse gives us the steadying truth that we are not left alone. The name of Jesus means God with us, and that nearness is for every ordinary day and every hard night. Whatever we walk through, we walk it with a God who chose to come close.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 1:23
What does Matthew 1:23 mean?
The name given to this child is its own promise: God has come to be with us.
What is the context of Matthew 1:23?
An angel has just told Joseph in a dream not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child is from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Matthew then quotes the prophet Isaiah, spoken some seven centuries earlier, to show that this birth is the fulfillment of an ancient promise.
How can I apply Matthew 1:23 today?
This verse gives us the steadying truth that we are not left alone. The name of Jesus means God with us, and that nearness is for every ordinary day and every hard night. Whatever we walk through, we walk it with a God who chose to come close.