This story should be compared with that found in Luke (Section 5). They are from different sources, but have this in common, that Jesus' name was intimated before his birth, in the one case to Joseph and in the other to Mary.
Betrothal in Jewish law (19-20) was a binding act and could not be annulled without legal steps and payment. The betrothed man was technically the husband. The idea of God speaking to men through the appearance of angels (20) was widespread in Judaism after the Exile. Matthew is fond of giving instances of this. The name Jesus (Hebrew, Jeshua) bears a resemblance to the Hebrew for 'He shall save' (joshea).
The first introduction in Matthew of Old Testament prophecy is in 22-23. The word translated virgin meant in the Hebrew simply a young woman of marriageable age. The Old Testament passage (Isa.7:14) did not refer to the Messiah; it is about a 'sign' given to King Ahaz of Judah (about 735 BC), when he wanted proof of the presence and help of God. Isaiah told him thai a baby would be born and given the name of lmmanuel (meaning 'God is with us' ) as a sign of confidence by his parents. Before he should be able to differentiate between good and evil (i.e. come to manhood), the two enemies who threatened Judah, Syria and Israel, would be destroyed. Top