How Joseph Learned about Mary’s Pregnancy

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph learned about Mary's pregnancy through a divine revelation. This article delves into the details of the events and the role of the angel in Joseph's understanding.

Matthew 1:19-21: Divine Revelation to Joseph

Matthew 1:19-21 provides us with the answer to how Joseph discovered Mary's pregnancy. It is clear from the text that Joseph found out through a divine angelic revelation, not through any earthly or supernatural source beyond what is described in the Bible.

Matthew 1:20: An Angel Appears in a Dream

According to Matthew 1:20, while Joseph was pondering these matters:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' (Matthew 1:20-21)

This cryptic message from the angel helped Joseph understand and accept the miraculous circumstances surrounding Mary's pregnancy.

Joseph's Initial Thought: Divorce Mary Quietly

Before learning of the divine revelation, Joseph initially planned to dismiss Mary quietly. This is evident from the text in Matthew, where it states:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' (Matthew 1:20-21)

Before this, Joseph had decided to divorce Mary privately in order to avoid exposing her to public disgrace, as stated in Matthew 1:19.

The Angel Gabriel's Role

The angel who appeared to Joseph is the same angel that also revealed the same message to Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. It is not specified in the text how Joseph originally discovered her pregnancy, only that he came to know that she was pregnant and that he had to take her as his wife.

Conclusion

The biblical account of Joseph and Mary's story reveals the divine nature of their encounters, with Joseph learning of Mary's pregnancy through an angelic revelation rather than any other means. This divine message from the angel provided Joseph with the clarity needed to accept the miraculous circumstances and to act accordingly.

For more information on this divine intervention and other aspects related to the events of Joseph and Mary, you may refer to the full text of the Gospel of Matthew and other scholarly resources.

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