“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.1
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . .2
God tests hearts. He is not impressed with our zeal for him but without knowledge.3 For he seeks those who worship him in spirit and truth.4 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.5 Then he said to them, “These are the words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me . . . must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.6 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.7 Ask to understand Scripture!
It seems strange that Joseph and Mary were engaged yet didn’t know each other. Definitely, there must be a loss of context since there is a disjoint from what we presently understand about knowing one another; e.g., to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information. Let us therefore delve into the etymology of the word knew.
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain . . .8 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch.9 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring. . .”10 Contrast the meaning for knew as used to King David when he was old and advanced in years—The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.11
After the birth of Jesus was foretold, Mary visits Elizabeth. And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. . . .”12
At the fullness of time, Jesus was revealed.13 The next day [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! . . .”14 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.15 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.16
Notes:
1. Matthew 1:23-25
2. Philippians 2:8-11
3. Romans 10:2
4. John 4:23-24
5. Proverbs 8:17
6. Luke 24:44-45
7. Proverbs 9:10
8. Genesis 4:1
9. Genesis 4:17
10. Genesis 4:25
11. 1 Kings 1:1-4
12. Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat. Luke 1:46-55
13. Galatians 4:4-7
14. John 1:29-34
15. John 2:12
16. John 3:16
