Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. The genealogy announced the legal context; the narrative now explains the biological reality. Betrothal in first-century Judaism was legally binding — a betrothed couple were considered husband and wife for all legal purposes including inheritance, though they did not yet live together or consummate the marriage. Mary's pregnancy before the marriage's consummation would therefore appear, to any observer, as evidence of unfaithfulness. The from the Holy Spirit is Matthew's narrative explanation, not yet part of anyone's knowledge within the story except Mary's. Isaiah 7:14 promised a virgin-born child named Immanuel; the Spirit who brooded over the waters at creation now overshadows Mary for the new creation.

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