Definition: Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Matthew 1:2! It's a foundational story about the beginning of Israel. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that God started a family line through Abraham. It’s a chain reaction, like a domino effect. Let’s unpack it step-by-step: “Abraham begat Isaac” : This means Abraham (meaning "father of many") had a child named Isaac. “and Isaac begat Jacob” : Isaac’s son, Jacob, was born. “and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren” : Now, Jacob’s son, who is named Judas, was also born. So, the whole story is this: God made a single man named Abraham, and through him, he started a family with Isaac, who then had Jacob, who in turn had Judas and his brothers. Why is this significant? This is considered one of the first stories in the Bible that shows how God initiated a lineage – a group of people connected through a single ancestor. It’s a powerful demonstration of God's plan and creation. In short, it explains how the entire story of Israel begins with Abraham. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you a little context about the importance of this story?

Definition: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really beautiful and important passage about beginnings and God’s plan! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from the beginning of the Book of Matthew – essentially, the first chapter of the Gospel (the story of Jesus). It tells us that God began to work in the world. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But while he thought on these things…” - This is a moment of reflection and contemplation. Joseph was pondering something – likely about his future or perhaps about a specific situation. It’s like when you’re deep in thought, and your mind wanders. “…behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream…” - The angel of the Lord is a special, powerful being that God sent to guide and protect Joseph. He appears as a dream – it's a vision, not a real person. “saying, Joseph, thou son of David…” - This is a direct address to Joseph, meaning "Joseph, my son." It’s highlighting him as the key figure in God’s plan. "Son of David" is a very significant reference – it connects him directly to the lineage of King David, who was incredibly important in Jewish tradition. “…fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife…” - This is the core of the verse. Joseph is told not to be afraid. He’s told to marry Mary. “for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” – This is the really important part! "Conceived in her" means pregnant, and “of the Holy Ghost” refers to something divine – a miracle, a special event. It signifies that God was about to bring a child into the world through Mary – a miraculous birth. In essence, this verse says: God began working in the world, and He chose Joseph to be instrumental in bringing Jesus into existence. It’s a message of hope, promise, and divine intervention. It's a foundational story that speaks of God’s plan for humanity and His chosen one. Why is it important? This passage is considered one of the most significant in the Bible because it establishes: The beginning of salvation: Jesus Christ was born to save us from sin and death. God’s plan: God has a specific purpose for our lives, and He chooses to guide us. Do you want me to explain anything further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of "Son of David"? Talk about why this story is so important in Jewish tradition?

Definition: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Matthew 1:21. It's one of the most famous and foundational passages in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is promising a baby boy who will save people from their mistakes. Let’s unpack it a little further: “And she shall bring forth a son…” This tells us that Mary, who was recently (in the Gospel of Matthew), is going to become pregnant. It's a significant event – pregnancy is often seen as a sign of something special happening in God’s plan. “…and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” This is the core message. “Jesus” is the name God chooses for this baby boy. But here's the kicker – he will save them from their sins . What does that mean in practice? Sins: "Sins" are things we do wrong – things like lying, stealing, breaking promises, or being unkind to others. Saving People: This refers to God’s plan of grace - His love and mercy extending to all people. He wants to offer a way for us to be forgiven and to live a life that pleases Him. Why is this so important? This verse is seen as the beginning of Jesus’ ministry – his life, teachings, and work. It's believed by many Christians that Jesus was born to redeem humanity from sin and death through His sacrifice. It’s a foundational statement about God's love and plan for salvation. In short: God has chosen to bring a baby boy named Jesus into the world to save people from their sins! --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail, or perhaps delve deeper into the context of this verse within the Bible? For example, I could tell you about: The significance of the name "Jesus" How this verse connects to other stories in the Bible The importance of Jesus’ ministry and teachings

Definition: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 1:22. It’s a really important opening to the story of how Jesus came to Earth. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is setting up a prophecy – a prediction about the future – that God made about Jesus. It says, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Now all this was done..." : This is saying that something has been happening for a long time – a plan or purpose. It’s not just happening right now, but it's been going on before. "...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet..." : This is the core of the verse. “The Lord” refers to God himself. “The prophet” is a person who speaks for God – someone who tells people what God wants them to know. The verse says that this (what's being done) was planned and accomplished because God spoke about it in a prophecy to this prophet. In short, this verse is saying that God had a plan for Jesus before He came to live on Earth. It’s essentially saying that the coming of Jesus was part of God's overall plan. Why is this significant? This verse is foundational because it tells us why Jesus was born and why he would fulfill his purpose – to offer forgiveness, love, and salvation to humanity. It highlights that Jesus wasn’t just a random event; He was a pre-ordained part of God's plan for the world. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Provide context about the prophet who spoke this prophecy? Discuss what this verse might mean in terms of our lives today?

Definition: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Matthew 1:23. It's a really significant moment in the beginning of the Bible! Here’s what it means, explained simply: Basically, it says that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus will have a baby. Let’s unpack that a little more: “Matthew 1:23” : This is a specific verse from the Gospel of Matthew. It’s a very important part of the story of how Jesus was born. “Behold…” : This phrase is like a dramatic introduction – it's drawing your attention to something special. “A virgin shall be with child…” : This means Mary will become pregnant. The word “virgin” refers to her being without any man’s sexual involvement during this time. “…and shall bring forth a son…” : This is the key part! She will have a baby boy. “And they shall call his name Emmanuel…” : This is where it gets really significant. “Emmanuel” is a Hebrew word that means "God with us" or "the God who comes." So, what does "being interpreted as..." mean? It’s a translation of the Hebrew word "Emmanuel.” It essentially means that God has chosen to come into the world through Jesus. He's going to be present with humanity – with us – in a special and profound way. Why is this important? This story is considered one of the most important beginnings in the Bible. It tells us: Jesus was born: This establishes that Jesus is the Messiah, or savior, that many people have been waiting for. God’s plan: It shows God's plan to bring about a new relationship with humanity. Hope and promise: It gives us hope because it speaks of a future where God will be close to us. In short, Matthew 1:23 tells us that Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, and that he would be called Emmanuel – meaning God with us! --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example, are you curious about: The context of the story? What it means in terms of theology? How this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?

Definition: Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 1:24. It’s a really important and slightly mysterious beginning to the story of Jesus. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse tells us that Joseph, who was previously asleep and dead, was awakened by an angel and then taken to meet his future wife, Mary. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep…” – This is a big one! "Being raised from sleep" means he woke up after being buried for many years. It’s a huge shift in time and destiny. “…did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him…” – This is key. The angel of the Lord is a very important figure in Jewish tradition, often associated with God himself. The angel was telling Joseph to do something . “and took unto him his wife:” – This means he took Mary, his wife, away from her previous life. It’s a significant step in establishing the beginning of their relationship and future family. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic introduction to the narrative of Jesus' birth. It suggests that God is working through Joseph in a way that will lead to the salvation of humanity. It points towards a divine plan, a purpose for Joseph’s life, and the beginning of a new era – the arrival of Christ. Important Note: The exact meaning and context are debated among scholars, but this verse is considered one of the most significant in Matthew and offers a sense of anticipation and destiny surrounding the birth of Jesus. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "the angel of the Lord" represents? Discuss the symbolism behind the story? Compare it to other biblical stories about beginnings or divine appointments?

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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful passage from Matthew 1:25: “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that Mary, the mother of Jesus, didn’t immediately know him. She wasn't familiar with him until after she gave birth to him! Let’s unpack it further: “And knew her not till…” – This is a bit tricky. It means Mary was completely unaware of Jesus before he was born. She didn't have any idea who he would be or what his purpose was. “…she had brought forth her firstborn son:” - This refers to the birth of Jesus, the very first child of God. "Son" in this context means “born” – a baby boy! “And he called his name Jesus.” – Jesus is named by God, and Mary chooses to give him that name. It’s a significant choice - it signifies his divine nature and importance. Why is this important? This verse is a foundational part of the story of how Jesus came into the world. It shows: God's Plan: It highlights God’s plan for salvation and the arrival of His Son. Divine Significance: Calling him “Jesus” emphasizes his unique role as the Messiah – the promised savior. In essence, this verse is a statement about an incredible event – the birth of the most important figure in Christianity. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of the name "Jesus"? Discuss what the verse might symbolize? Talk about its connection to other parts of the Bible?