The Cultural and Legal Background of Betrothal in First-Century Judaism

When Matthew 1:18 records that Mary was betrothed to Joseph, it places us firmly within the Jewish marriage customs of the first century. In modern Western thinking, an engagement is a mere promise of future marriage and can be dissolved without any legal ramifications. However, in Jewish law, betrothal (Hebrew erusin, sometimes translated “espousal”) was legally binding and marked the first stage of marriage itself. The couple was considered husband and wife from the moment of betrothal, though they did not yet live together or consummate the union.

The betrothal was typically arranged by the families and involved a written contract (ketubah) and the payment of the bride price (mohar), which secured the union. Gifts were also exchanged as a public affirmation of the agreement, as seen in Genesis 24:53, where Abraham’s servant presented gifts to Rebekah and her family. This indicates that betrothal was not a casual arrangement but a binding covenant before God and man.

Breaking a betrothal required a formal certificate of divorce (sefer keritut), as demonstrated by Joseph’s reaction to Mary’s pregnancy in Matthew 1:19. Joseph, already recognized as Mary’s husband under the law, considered a quiet divorce to avoid public disgrace. This shows the seriousness of the betrothal period in Jewish society.

The bride would remain in her father’s household until the groom had prepared a home, after which the wedding feast would be held and the marriage consummated. This delay between betrothal and marriage provided the backdrop for Mary’s miraculous conception by Holy Spirit while she still lived in her parents’ home.

The Virgin Conception and the Role of the Holy Spirit

The inspired record plainly declares: “When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18) The miracle of the virgin conception is central to the Christian faith because it establishes both the true humanity and the true sinlessness of Jesus Christ.

Gabriel’s announcement to Mary in Luke 1:30-31 explains that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son named Jesus. This was not a case of adoption or surrogate parenthood. Mary truly conceived and bore the child in her womb, making Him her genuine offspring. For Jesus to be the legal and biological heir of David, Abraham, and Judah, He had to be a true descendant of their line through Mary (Luke 3:23-34).

The Holy Spirit accomplished this miracle by transferring the life of the preexistent Son of God from heaven to earth. Galatians 4:4 declares: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” The eternal Son took on humanity through conception in Mary’s womb, while remaining fully divine.

Did Mary’s Imperfection Affect the Conception of Jesus?

A crucial question arises: since Mary was a sinner like all other descendants of Adam (Romans 3:23), did her imperfection contaminate the humanity of Jesus? Could a holy and sinless Savior be born from a fallen human mother?

The answer lies in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the act of conception. The life of the Son was transferred into Mary’s womb by the Spirit’s power, and this divine action preserved Jesus from inheriting sin. In ordinary human conception, both sperm and egg carry the corruption of Adamic sin, transmitting it to the child. But in the case of Jesus, the Holy Spirit miraculously canceled out the imperfection of Mary’s ovum, ensuring that the humanity produced was perfect.

Luke 1:35 explains this explicitly: “The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason the holy Child will be called the Son of God.’” The holiness of Jesus is directly linked to the sanctifying action of the Spirit. Unlike every other human born into Adam’s line, Jesus did not inherit the stain of original sin because His conception was a divine miracle.

Therefore, while Mary was truly His mother, and He received real human DNA through her, He was not tainted by her imperfection. The Holy Spirit safeguarded His humanity so that He was “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). This unique conception ensured that Jesus was fully human, truly descended from David and Abraham, and yet fully sinless, capable of being the spotless sacrificial Lamb of God.

The Necessity of the Virgin Conception

Without the virgin conception, the Messiah could not have fulfilled His role as Savior. If He had been conceived through normal human reproduction, He would have inherited Adam’s fallen nature and been unfit to bear the sins of the world. Only a sinless substitute could offer Himself as a ransom for mankind (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Furthermore, the virgin conception fulfilled Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” This prophecy demanded both a miraculous conception and the reality of God dwelling among men. By being conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Jesus was both fully God and fully man, perfectly uniting divinity and humanity in one person.

The Legal Standing of Jesus Through Betrothal

The fact that Mary was betrothed to Joseph at the time of Jesus’ conception is also theologically significant. Through Joseph, Jesus received the legal right to David’s throne, since Joseph was in the royal line of David through Solomon (Matthew 1:1-16). Though Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, his legal paternity established Jesus’ rightful claim as the Messiah-King. At the same time, through Mary, who descended from David through Nathan (Luke 3:23-34), Jesus was biologically a son of David.

Thus, both the betrothal arrangement and the virgin conception were essential for fulfilling the divine promises. Mary provided the true humanity and Davidic bloodline, Joseph provided the legal standing, and the Holy Spirit provided the sanctifying miracle that preserved sinlessness.

Conclusion on the Perfection of Christ’s Humanity

Mary’s imperfection did not, and could not, taint the humanity of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit overruled the natural laws of heredity to ensure a perfect human nature free from sin. Jesus was not half-sinful and half-perfect; He was entirely perfect, the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), untouched by the corruption that has passed to all mankind. His humanity was real and genuine, yet His holiness was absolute.

By understanding the betrothal customs of first-century Judaism, the legal force of Joseph’s role, and the miraculous nature of the conception by Holy Spirit, we can see the wisdom and power of Jehovah’s plan in bringing about the incarnation of His Son. The birth of Jesus in this manner demonstrates that He alone is the rightful heir of the promises to Abraham and David, the true Messiah, and the only Savior who could bear away the sins of the world.

You May Also Enjoy

Jesus Calls Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:18–22)

About the Author

CLICK LINKED IMAGE TO VISIT ONLINE STORE

CLICK TO SCROLL THROUGH OUR BOOKS