19 A just man - A strict observer of the law: therefore not
thinking it right to keep her.
21 Jesus - That is, a Saviour. It is the same name with Joshua (who
was a type of him) which properly signifies, The Lord, Salvation. His people
- Israel. And all the Israel of God.
23 They shall call his name Emmanuel - To be called, only means, according
to the Hebrew manner of speaking, that the person spoken of shall really
and effectually be what he is called, and actually fulfil that title. Thus,
Unto us a child is born - and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace - That is, he shall be all these, though
not so much nominally, as really, and in effect. And thus was he called
Emmanuel; which was no common name of Christ, but points out his nature
and office; as he is God incarnate, and dwells by his Spirit in the hearts
of his people. It is observable, the words in Isaiah are, Thou (namely,
his mother) shalt call; but here, They - that is, all his people, shall
call - shall acknowledge him to be Emmanuel, God with us. Which being interpreted
- This is a clear proof that St. Matthew wrote his Gospel in Greek, and
not in Hebrew. Isaiah 7:14.
25 He knew her not, till after she had brought forth - It cannot be
inferred from hence, that he knew her afterward: no more than it can be
inferred from that expression, 2Sam 6:23, Michal had no child till the
day of her death, that she had children afterward. Nor do the words that
follow, the first - born son, alter the case. For there are abundance of
places, wherein the term first born is used, though there were no subsequent
children. Luke 2:7.
