NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

The Power of “Until”: Honor, Obedience, and the Truth of Matthew 1:25

Scripture often packs profound theological truth into a single, ordinary word. In the opening chapter of the New Testament, that word is “until.”

Matthew 1:25 states that Joseph “did not know her until she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

This brief phrase sheds light on the reality of Jesus’ birth, the obedience of His earthly parents, and the true nature of their holy family.

The Boundary of the Virgin Birth

The word “until” serves a specific grammatical and theological purpose in Matthew’s account. It draws a clear chronological line, emphasizing that Mary remained a virgin throughout her pregnancy up to the exact moment Jesus was born.

This detail is not minor. It protects the doctrine of the Virgin Birth, proving that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, entirely apart from human intervention. Joseph’s restraint was a act of radical obedience. He protected Mary’s calling, honored the child she carried, and submitted his own desires to God’s divine timeline.

Moving into Full Marriage

While “until” confirms Mary’s virginity before the birth of Christ, it also naturally implies a change after the event.

Following the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary entered into the full physical union commonly associated with a normal, healthy marriage. Scripture confirms this transition by frequently mentioning Jesus’ immediate family. The Gospels explicitly state that Jesus had brothers and sisters who grew up alongside Him:

Matthew 12:46-47; Mark 3:31-32: Describe Jesus’ mother and brothers standing outside, seeking to speak with Him.
Mark 6:3: The amazed crowds ask, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?”
Luke 8:19-21: Reaffirms the presence of His biological family during His public ministry.

Joseph and Mary’s marriage transitioned from a season of supernatural separation to a season of ordinary family life, fulfilling the natural design God intended for husbands and wives.

Lessons for Our Faith

Obedience Requires Boundaries: Joseph’s willingness to practice restraint shows that honoring God often means setting personal desires aside for a season.
God Validates the Ordinary: After the miraculous birth of the Messiah, God blessed Joseph and Mary with a conventional family, proving that everyday family life is holy to Him.
Jesus Shared Our Reality: Jesus did not grow up in isolation. He grew up in a bustling household with siblings, experiencing the full depth of human family dynamics.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the clarity and truth of Your Word. Thank You for the ultimate example of obedience we see in Joseph and Mary, who willingly set boundaries around their lives to honor the birth of Your Savior Son. Help us to practice discipline, to honor the seasons of waiting You place in our lives, and to submit our desires to Your perfect timing. We praise You that Jesus came to live in a real family, sharing in our human experiences. May our homes and relationships reflect that same spirit of obedience and holiness today.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen

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Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

Summary

Article Name

NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25

Description

The word "until" draws attention to the fact that Mary remained a virgin until after Jeus was born.

Author

Margarita Crews

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