Matthew 1:25 tells us that Joseph did not have a marital relationship with Mary until after she gave birth to Jesus, and that Joseph then gave the child the name Jesus, as the angel had instructed. The verse is written by Matthew, the Gospel writer, and it describes Joseph’s obedience to God’s messenger in the days surrounding Jesus’ birth.
And didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
Matthew 1:25 (WEB)
What Matthew 1:25 Means
The phrase “didn’t know her sexually” is a plain, old-fashioned way of saying that Joseph had no marital relationship with Mary during this period. The verse does not describe what Joseph felt or thought about that choice, but it makes clear that the arrangement was deliberate and that Joseph kept it until Jesus was born.
“Until she had given birth to her firstborn son” marks the timing. The word “until” tells you that the period of abstaining had an endpoint, and the verse does not say what happened afterward. Some Christians read this as evidence that Mary and Joseph later had other children, while others understand the emphasis to be on Jesus’ unique origin. The verse itself does not settle that debate, so it is wise to hold your conclusions loosely here.
The final sentence, “He named him Jesus,” shows Joseph acting on the angel’s instruction. In the Jewish world, naming a child was an act of authority, so Joseph’s naming of Jesus signals that he accepted the role God had given him as Jesus’ legal father. The verse promises nothing about your own circumstances, but it shows a man who trusted God’s word and followed through with obedience.
The Context of Matthew 1:25
Matthew wrote his Gospel primarily for a Jewish audience, and he regularly connects events in Jesus’ life to the Old Testament. The verses just before Matthew 1:25 quote Isaiah 7:14, which speaks of a virgin who will bear a son called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Matthew sees the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of that promise, so the verse about Joseph’s restraint is part of a larger argument that God was keeping His word.
The verses just before and after frame Joseph as a righteous man who responds to a dream and does what he is told. Verse 24 states that he “arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Reading Matthew 1:25 in this setting shows that Joseph’s restraint and naming of Jesus are acts of faithful obedience rather than private decisions, and that is why the verse matters for understanding the story.
Key Phrases in Matthew 1:25
Matthew 1:21
She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
(WEB)
This verse records the angel’s words to Joseph, explaining that Mary’s child will be named Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. Reading it alongside Matthew 1:25 shows that Joseph’s naming of the child was a direct response to God’s clear instruction.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
(WEB)
Matthew quotes this prophecy to show that the virgin birth fulfills a promise made centuries earlier. Reading it helps you see how Matthew connects the story of Jesus to God’s long-standing faithfulness to His people.
A Short Prayer From Matthew 1:25
Lord, thank You for the faithful example of Joseph, who trusted Your word even when it asked him to walk an unexpected path. Help me to listen closely when You speak and to respond with the same willingness to obey. When my own plans feel uncertain, give me the courage to follow You one step at a time. Keep me faithful in the ordinary responsibilities You have placed in my life, and help me rest in the truth that You are with me. Amen.
