Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 1:20

"But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." — Matthew 1:20 (ASV)

Only when Joseph had made this decision did God intervene with a dream. Dreams as means of divine communication in the NT are concentrated in Matthew’s prologue (1:20; 2:2, 13, 19, 22; elsewhere, possibly 27:19). An “angel of the Lord” calls to mind divine messengers in past ages (e.g., Genesis 16:7– 14; 22:11–18; Exodus 3:2–4:16; et al.). The focus here is on God’s gracious intervention and the messenger’s private communication.

The angel’s opening words, “Joseph son of David,” tie this pericope to the preceding genealogy, maintain interest in the theme of the Davidic Messiah, and, from Joseph’s perspective, alert him to the significance of the role he is to play. The prohibition, “Do not be afraid,” confirms that Joseph had already decided on his course when God intervened. He was to “take” Mary home as his wife because Mary’s pregnancy was the direct action of the Holy Spirit.