Matthew says Jesus’ birth fulfilled Isaiah 7:14. He quotes it and explains as follows: “‘BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,’ which translated means, ‘GOD WITH US’” (Matthew 1:23).
Due to Jesus’ virgin birth, Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 have received considerable attention throughout church history. The main reason is that Isaiah’s Hebrew word almah has aroused much scholarly debate as to whether it means “virgin” or “young woman.” If the latter, it doesn’t seem to foretell about Mary, Jesus’ mother, having a supernatural conception and therefore Jesus being born of a virgin.
Laying aside this question about almah, the question for Christology is this: How did Matthew understand Isaiah’s ascription of the word “Immanuel” to a child? Regardless of whether Isaiah intended that the child referred to the Messiah, which also has been much debated among especially critical scholars, Matthew obviously understood it that way. And he treats “Immanuel” as a title, not a proper name, for Jesus. For he had just related that the angel had instructed Joseph, “you shall call His name Jesus” (v. 21).
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: Kermit Zarley
Keywords: Trinity, Triunity, Trinitarianism, Trinitarian, Three in one, Three gods, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Father son holy spirit, Father son holy ghost, Triune, Three persons in one God, Nicene, Nicean Creed, Council of Nicaea, Council of Nicea, homoiousios, Homoousios, Homoiousian, Immanuel, Emmanuel, God with us, Theophory
Bible reference(s): Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23
Source: “Does Calling Jesus ‘Immanuel’ Mean He is God?” The Restitution of Jesus Christ, 2008.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.