Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

What does this mean?

Matthew is telling the story of Jesus' birth, and he pauses to explain what it means. A young woman who has never been with a man will have a child, a son, and he will be called Emmanuel — a name that means God is with us. Matthew says this happened so that the words spoken long ago through the prophet Isaiah would come true, and the verse itself makes that connection between the old promise and the child who was born.

What does this teach us?

Christmas is not just a birth, it is God moving in. The name Emmanuel says it plainly: in Jesus, God is not far away watching from heaven, he is with us, in our world, in our lives.

How can we apply this?

When God feels far away this Christmas, say the name out loud: Emmanuel, God with us. Let it remind you that he came close on purpose, and talk to him today like someone who is near, not someone who is gone.

Related KJV passages

• “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

  John 1:14

• “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

  Isaiah 9:6

• “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

  Luke 2:7