And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

MATTHEW 1:21KJV
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Matthew 1:21 (KJV)

What does Matthew 1:21 mean?

Matthew 1:21 says that Mary will have a son, and Joseph is to name him Jesus, because this child will save his people from their sins. The verse directly connects the name "Jesus" with his role as a savior from sin.

In this scene, an angel is speaking to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him about Mary's pregnancy. The angel gives Joseph both the name he must use—Jesus—and the reason for it, tying Jesus’s identity to his mission. The verse highlights that Jesus’s purpose is not just to be born, but specifically to bring rescue from sin for his people.

The Greek behind Matthew 1:21

  • Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous): This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Yeshua" (Joshua), meaning "Yahweh saves" or "the Lord is salvation." The angel’s instruction to name the child Jesus is directly linked to his saving role.
  • σώσει (sōsei): This word means "he will save" and is a form of the verb that often carries the sense of rescuing or delivering. The focus here is on Jesus as a deliverer, not just from trouble, but specifically from sins.
  • ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn): This is the word for "sins." The verse is clear that the salvation Jesus brings is not political or military, but spiritual—rescue from the problem of sin.

Why Matthew 1:21 matters

  • Matthew 1:21 clarifies that the main purpose of Jesus’s coming is to address the problem of sin, not just to be a great teacher or leader.
  • The verse shows that the name "Jesus" is not random, but is chosen because it matches his mission of salvation.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of Matthew’s Gospel, introducing Jesus as the one who fulfills God’s promise to save his people, connecting the story to the larger biblical theme of deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“forth” Greek G5088 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
  • Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
  • Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

“save” Greek G4982 · used in 103 verses

  • Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
  • Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
  • Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

“call” Greek G2564 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
  • Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
  • Romans 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Luke 22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.