A Few Minutes in Matthew

Matthew 1:22–23

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”

 

Explanation of the Text

Matthew pauses the narrative to make something unmistakably clear: none of this is accidental. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken.” From the beginning, Matthew wants us to see Jesus through the lens of fulfillment. God is not improvising; He is keeping His word.

The quotation comes from Isaiah 7:14. Matthew does not treat it as a vague prediction, but as a promise that reaches its true meaning in Christ. The child born of the virgin is called Immanuel, which Matthew helpfully translates for us: God with us. This is not merely a poetic title. It is a theological claim of enormous weight.

 

Matthew is already answering a question that will run through the entire Gospel: Who is Jesus? He is not simply God’s representative or messenger. He is God Himself present with His people. The one who saves us from our sins by coming near, sharing our flesh, bearing our burden, and ultimately carrying our sin to the cross.

This promise of “God with us” will frame the whole Gospel. Matthew begins with God with us, and he will end with Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always.” (Mat 28:20) The Gospel opens and closes with presence.

 

What This Teaches Me About God

God does not remain distant from human suffering and sin. In Jesus, He comes near, fully present, fully committed, fully engaged in saving His people.

 

What This Teaches Me About Myself

We are never alone in our sin, fear, or weakness. God has drawn near to us in Christ, not waiting for us to reach Him, but coming to be with us and for us.

Prayer

Jesus, our Immanuel, I thank You for coming near. Abide with me in faith, weakness, in hope, now and always. Amen.