Birth Narratives in Matthew
Topic 8: Birth and Infancy Narratives in Matthew (Matthew 1:18–2:23)
The Importance of Matthew’s Birth Narrative
Main Purposes
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Demonstrate Jesus is the promised Messiah.
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Show fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy.
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Establish Jesus’ divine origin.
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Present Jesus as Son of God.
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Present Jesus as the new Moses.
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Demonstrate God’s plan for humanity.
Key Theme
Matthew repeatedly states:
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“This took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the prophet.”
This is one of the most important themes in Matthew’s Gospel.
The Virgin Birth
Background
Mary’s Situation
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Mary was engaged to Joseph.
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Before marriage she became pregnant.
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Pregnancy occurred through the Holy Spirit.
Significance
Divine Origin
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Jesus’ birth was supernatural.
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Demonstrates Jesus came from God.
Son of God
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Supports belief that Jesus is God’s Son.
Fulfilment of Prophecy
Matthew connects birth to:
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Isaiah 7:14
“Virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”
Joseph’s Role
Joseph’s Dilemma
When Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant:
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Considered ending engagement.
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Did not want public disgrace for Mary.
Angelic Message
Angel appeared in dream.
Instructions:
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Do not fear marrying Mary.
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Child conceived through Holy Spirit.
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Child should be named Jesus.
Joseph’s Obedience
Joseph:
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Accepted God’s command.
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Married Mary.
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Named child Jesus.
Importance
Joseph becomes model of:
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Faith.
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Obedience.
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Trust in God.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change
Meaning of the Name Jesus
Meaning
Jesus means:
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“The Lord saves.”
Significance
Angel explains:
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Jesus will save people from their sins.
Importance
Introduces Jesus’ mission.
Not:
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Political salvation.
But:
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Spiritual salvation.
Immanuel
Meaning
Immanuel means:
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“God with us.”
Importance
Shows:
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God’s presence among humanity.
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God acting directly in history.
Christian Significance
Many Christians view this as evidence of:
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Incarnation.
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God becoming human in Jesus.
Visit of the Magi
Who Were The Magi?
Possibly:
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Wise men.
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Scholars.
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Astrologers from the East.
Why Did They Come?
Observed:
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Special star.
Believed:
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King of the Jews had been born.
Gifts Presented
Gold
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Symbol of kingship.
Frankincense
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Symbol of divinity.
Myrrh
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Symbol of suffering and death.
Importance
Shows:
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Jesus recognised beyond Judaism.
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Gentiles acknowledge Jesus.
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Jesus’ future role hinted at from birth.
Herod the Great
Who Was Herod?
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King of Judea.
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Ruled under Roman authority.
Reaction to Jesus
When hearing about new king:
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Became fearful.
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Viewed Jesus as threat.
Motivation
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Protect political power.
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Prevent rivals.
Consultation with Religious Leaders
Herod asked:
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Chief Priests.
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Scribes.
Question:
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Where Messiah would be born?
Answer:
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Bethlehem.
Based on prophecy from Micah.
Importance
Religious leaders possessed knowledge.
Yet:
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Did not go to worship Jesus.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change
Bethlehem
Importance
Birthplace of:
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King David.
Messianic Significance
Expected Messiah would come from:
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David’s city.
Fulfilment
Matthew presents Bethlehem birth as fulfilment of prophecy.
Flight into Egypt
Warning to Joseph
Angel appeared in dream.
Instructions:
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Take Mary and Jesus.
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Escape to Egypt.
Reason
Herod planned to kill Jesus.
Significance
Demonstrates:
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God’s protection.
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Divine guidance.
Return from Egypt
After Herod’s Death
Angel again appeared.
Instructions:
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Return to Israel.
Settlement in Nazareth
Family eventually settled in:
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Nazareth.
Significance
Further fulfilment of prophecy according to Matthew.
Massacre of the Innocents
Event
Herod ordered:
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Killing of young boys in Bethlehem.
Purpose
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Eliminate possible rival king.
Significance
Highlights:
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Herod’s cruelty.
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Opposition faced by Jesus from birth.
Jesus as the New Moses
Similarities Between Moses and Jesus
Moses
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Threatened by ruler.
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Escaped death as infant.
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Associated with Egypt.
Jesus
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Threatened by Herod.
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Escaped death as infant.
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Taken to Egypt.
Importance
Matthew portrays Jesus as:
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Greater than Moses.
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New deliverer of God’s people.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change
Fulfilled Prophecies in Matthew’s Birth Narrative
Virgin Birth
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Isaiah 7:14
Bethlehem Birth
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Micah 5:2
Egypt
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Hosea 11:1
Mourning
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Jeremiah 31:15
Nazareth
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Linked by Matthew to prophetic expectation.
Importance
Matthew repeatedly demonstrates:
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Jesus fulfils Scripture.
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Jesus is Messiah.
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God’s promises are reliable.
What Matthew Teaches About Jesus
Jesus Is Messiah
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Fulfils prophecy.
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Descendant of David.
Jesus Is Son of God
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Conceived through Holy Spirit.
Jesus Is Saviour
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Saves humanity from sin.
Jesus Is King
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Worshipped by Magi.
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Feared by Herod.
Jesus Is Immanuel
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God with humanity.
Examination Focus
Why Is The Virgin Birth Important?
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Demonstrates divine origin.
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Supports Son of God title.
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Fulfils prophecy.
Why Are The Magi Important?
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First Gentile worshippers.
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Recognise Jesus’ greatness.
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Symbolise universal salvation.
Why Is Herod Important?
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Represents opposition.
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Highlights threat Jesus posed to earthly rulers.
Why Does Matthew Include So Many Prophecies?
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To prove Jesus is Messiah.
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To convince Jewish readers.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, O Level and IGCSE Biblical Studies Full Scale Course, Educate A Change