Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 1:21

"And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins." — Matthew 1:21 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: What the angel told Joseph was beyond human reasoning and the laws of nature. Therefore, he confirms his message not only by revealing to him what was past, but also what was to come: "She shall bring forth a Son."

Glossa Ordinaria: So that Joseph would not suppose he was no longer needed in this marriage, seeing that the conception had taken place without his involvement, the angel declares to him that although he was not needed for the conception, his guardianship was still required. For the Virgin would bear a Son, and then he would be necessary for both the Mother and her Son: to the Mother, to shield her from disgrace, and to the Son, to raise Him and to circumcise Him. The circumcision is implied when he says, "And you shall call His name Jesus," for it was customary to give the name at the circumcision.¹

Pseudo-Chrysostom: He did not say, "She shall bear you a Son," as he did to Zechariah, "Behold, Elizabeth your wife shall bear you a son." For the woman who conceives by her husband bears the son for her husband, because the child is more from him than from her. But she who had not conceived by a man did not bear the Son for her husband, but for herself.

St. John Chrysostom: Alternatively, he left it unassigned to show that she bore Him for the whole world.

Rabanus Maurus: "You shall call His name," he says, and not, "You shall give Him a name," for His name had been given from all eternity.

St. John Chrysostom: This further shows that this birth would be wonderful, because it is God who sends down His name from above through His angel. It is not just any name, but one that is a treasure of infinite good.

Therefore, the angel also interprets the name, suggesting good hope and thereby persuading Joseph to believe what was said.

For we are more inclined to believe in prosperous things and yield our belief more readily to good fortune.

St. Jerome: Jesus is a Hebrew word, meaning Savior. He points to the etymology of the name, saying, For He shall save His people from their sins.

Remigius of Auxerre: He shows that this same man is the Savior of the whole world and the Author of our salvation.

Indeed, He saves not the unbelieving, but His people. That is, He saves those who believe in Him, not so much from visible as from invisible enemies—namely, from their sins. He does this not by fighting with weapons, but by remitting their sins.

St. Peter Chrysologus: Let those who ask, "Who is He that Mary bore?" come near and hear this: He shall save His people—not another man's people. And from what? From their sins. If you do not believe the Christians who affirm that it is God who forgives sins, then believe the unbelievers or the Jews who say, "None can forgive sins but God only" (Luke 5:21).

1. ap Anselm