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Mat 1:20. ἰδοῦ, behold) He was not left long in doubt.[56]-κατʼ ὄναρ, in a dream) Dreams are mentioned also in Act 2:17, in a quotation from the Old Testament. With this exception, St Matthew is the only writer of the New Testament who has recorded dreams; viz., one of Pilate’s wife, ch. Mat 27:19; one of the Magi, ch. Mat 2:12; one of Joseph, in this passage; a second in ch. Mat 2:13; a third in ch. Mat 2:19; and a fourth in Mat 2:22. This mode of instruction was suitable to those early times of the New Dispensation.[57]-αὐτῷ, to him) In the first instance, Gabriel was sent to Mary, afterwards the remaining particulars were revealed to Joseph. Thus all things were made sure to both of them.-Ἰωσὴφ, Joseph) In visions, those to whom they are vouchsafed are generally addressed by name, as if already well known [to the speaker].-See Act 9:4; Act 9:10; Act 10:3; Act 10:13.-παραλαβεῖν, to take unto thee) sc. to the companionship of life and board, under the name of wedlock: on which ground the angel adds the words, τὴν γυναῖκά σου (thy wife).-Μαριὰμ, Mary) This termination was more usual in early times (from the example of the Hebrew and the LXX.) than the Greek form Μαρία, which soon, however, prevailed. St Matthew, therefore, uses Μαριὰμ here, in the angel’s address, for the name of our Lord’s mother; but Μαρίας [the genitive case of the Greek form Μαρία] when speaking of her (Mat 1:16; Mat 1:18) in his own person; and in like manner, he employs the Greek form when mentioning other women of the same name. And St Luke does mostly the same. Miriam, according to Hiller, signifies Rebellion, sc. of the Israelites in Egypt. Scripture teaches us to look to the etymology of the name, not of Mary, but of JESUS.-τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν, for that which is conceived in her) The foetus, as yet unborn, is usually spoken of in the neuter gender.-Cf. note on Luk 1:35.
[56] Thus God guides His own, and teaches them at the right time, what they have to do.-B. G. V.
[57] Shortly after men prophesied concerning Christ; as also Christ Himself acted the part of an interpreter of their prophecies.-Vers. Germ.