Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) was on this wise: When as his mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, before they came together, she was found with child of Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).
before they came together - This is stated to stress that Miryam was a virgin. That she was not involved in a sexual relationship with Yosef. There is to be no doubt in our minds that Yeshua had a supernatural birth.
Engaged - betrothed - Jewish betrothal was as binding as modern marriage. A divorce was necessary to end the betrothal. Betrothed couples were legally regarded as husband and wife although a physical union had not yet taken place.
The betrothal period allowed the groom time to prepare a place for them to live after they were married. Also it was the time to prove the brides purity. If she started to look pregnant then the groom would not have to marry her.
Matthew 1:19 Then Yosef her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.
Stoning was the legal response for this sort of Adultery.
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then you will bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you will stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife: so you will put away evil from among you.
However, Joseph was merciful and did not want to make a public example of Miryam.
A just man - indicated that Yosef was a true believer in G-d and a follower of the law of G-d. He was considered righteous.
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the L-rd appeared to him in a dream, saying, Yosef, son of David, fear not to take Miryam your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).
Divine intervention - G-d sent an angel to Yosef to reassure him that Miryam had been faithful to him. He is instructed to take her into his home.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a son, and you will call His name Yeshua (JESUS): for He shall save His people from their sins.
Yeshua means “savior” or “the L-rd is salvation”
Here, even before Yeshua’s birth, His mission is spelled out. He will save us from our sins.
Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the L-rd by the prophet, saying,
Over and over again we will read this words in Matthew. “that it might be fulfilled”
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin will be with child, and will bring forth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, G-d with us.
In Isaiah 7:14 we read the words of the prophet.
“Therefore the L-rd himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and shall bear a son and she will call His name Immanuel.”
If Isaiah had said a young woman would conceive it would be no sign at all, young women do that every day. But to say a virgin, now that is quite a sign! This is a real miracle!
We have checked our “Complete Jewish Bible” here is the footnote on Isaiah 7:14.
“The Hebrew word ‘almah’ in Isaiah 7:14 means ‘a young woman,’ and in the context of the Tanakh always ‘a young woman of unsullied reputation,’ which is why the Jewish translators of the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Tanakh prepared 200 years before Yeshua’s birth, rendered this word into the Greek as parthenos, “virgin”; this is the word used at Mattityahu 1:23.”
Isaiah also tells us here that she will call Him Immanuel, meaning “G-d with us”! This is an earth shaking statement. It tells us that He would be G-d.
The first of many references to the Messiah is recorded in Genesis 3:15. The L-rd cursed the serpent that had been possessed by Lucifer himself. Let scripture interpret itself and think about this on your own.
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you will bruise him on the heel.”
This is a strange reference because the man has the seed and the woman has the egg. However G-d means what he says and he said her seed. Did HaShem just use her DNA? Another mystery we have to take through faith in the abilities of HaShem.
If a virgin gave birth, then the seed referred to in Genesis 3:15 would not be from a man but must somehow be supernaturally implanted by G-d.
It makes sense when we compare scripture with scripture and see what Isaiah said about the virgin and compare it to the words of Moshe in Genesis. Then we come to Matthew and see how it was fulfilled.
Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the L-rd had bidden him, and took to him his wife:
Note: the angel visited Yosef in his sleep. This was a dream.
Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Yeshua (JESUS).
Yosef did not have sexual relations with Miryam until after she had given birth to Yeshua.
Some teach that Miryam was always a virgin. This is not true. Yosef and Miryam had a normal marriage. Miryam had several other children.
Mark 3:31-33 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking You."
Matt 13:55-56 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Miryam? And His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judah? And His sisters, are they not all with us?
So Yeshua had 4 half-brothers (different father) and at least 2 half-sisters. James would become a prominent leader of the Messianic synagogue in Jerusalem. This synagogue is said to be on Mt. Zion and is the same building were the last Pesach meal was taken by Yeshua before His death. There has been archeological evidence unearthed in this area to support it as being the site of the first Messianic synagogue.