Lenten Season · Year B
Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
March 20, 2027
Overview & Insights
“They shall call his name Immanuel, which means, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
It may seem surprising to find a genealogy at the opening of Matthew’s Gospel, but genealogies were a common means for establishing and substantiating the identity of a person. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus demonstrates that Jesus is Israel’s Messiah-King, from David’s royal line. Introducing Jesus’ identity at the very beginning of the Gospel sets the tone for the next four chapters (1:1–4:16), which focus on elaborating the identity of Jesus as the Davidic Messiah-King who enacts Israel’s restoration from exile, as faithful and obedient son, as Gentile hope, and as “God with us.” In relation to the rest of Matthew 1, the genealogy poses a conundrum that Matthew will solve in 1:18–25: how Jesus can legitimately appropriate Joseph’s lineage even though his biological connection is to Mary (and not Joseph [1:16]). Matthew highlights Joseph’s adoption of Jesus through his naming of Jesus (1:21, 25).
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Commentary
Matthew 1 Commentary: The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the genealogy and Joseph's part in the birth of Jesus verse by verse.
Commentary on Matthew 1:18-25 Working Preacher
The RCL Advent 4A page on the exact Joseph birth narrative behind this feast.
Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed exegesis focused on Joseph's righteousness and his obedience to the angel.
Matthew 1:18 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries side by side on the conception and naming of Jesus.
Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary Agape Bible Study
A Catholic verse-by-verse study of all the readings for this solemnity.
Go to Joseph (Word on Fire Sermon) Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
A homily on Joseph as guardian of the Holy Family and model of quiet trust.
Background & Word Study
Matthew - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary overview of Matthew's structure, audience, and themes.
Gospel of Matthew Summary (Overview, Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview tracing the storyline of Matthew 1 to 13.
Matthew 1:18 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word text of the birth account with parsing.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Matthew open with a genealogy?
Matthew roots Jesus in the line of Abraham and David, then tells how the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and how Joseph, in a dream, is told to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
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- Full sermons on Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a
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- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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