Matthew 1:19

Dutch 1939 (De Heilige Schrift, Petrus Canisiusvertaling, 1939)

Daar Josef, haar man, een rechtvaardige was, en haar niet te schande wilde maken, besloot hij, in stilte van haar te scheiden.

Wat betekent dit?

This verse describes Joseph's response to Mary being pregnant with Jesus before they were married. He planned to divorce her privately because he was a just man and didn't want to shame her publicly.

Uitgelegd voor kinderen

Imagine if you found out your friend had something really special but couldn’t explain why. You’d be confused, right? That’s how Joseph felt about Mary being pregnant. But instead of making things worse by telling everyone, he decided to handle it quietly and fairly.

Historische achtergrond

Matthew wrote this gospel around 80-90 AD for a Jewish-Christian audience living in the Roman Empire. The cultural setting valued public honor, so private divorce was seen as more merciful than public scandal.

Toepassing voor vandaag

In modern times, when faced with difficult situations like misunderstandings or unexpected changes, it's best to handle them privately and fairly rather than causing unnecessary drama or hurt. This shows wisdom and compassion.

Onderwerpen

• justice
• compassion
• marriage
• divorce
• purity
• wisdom

Gerelateerde verzen

• Genesis 38:26
• Exodus 10:29
• Luke 1:34-35
• John 8:1-11
• James 1:27

Veelgestelde vragen

Why did Joseph want to divorce Mary?

Joseph was confused about Mary being pregnant before their marriage and planned the divorce because he wanted to respect her and not make a public scandal.

What does 'just man' mean in this context?

'Just man' means Joseph was fair and righteous, wanting to act according to what is right and just rather than being harsh or unfair.

Why did Joseph choose a private divorce over public condemnation?

Joseph chose privacy out of compassion for Mary's reputation. Public condemnation could have damaged her honor more severely.

How can Matthew 1:19 apply to modern relationships?

It shows that handling conflicts privately and with fairness can preserve dignity and avoid unnecessary harm, which is a valuable lesson in any relationship.