Matthew 1:25

Knew her not. The form of the verb in Greek is against the Roman Catholic tradition of Mary’s perpetual virginity, for it implies that Mary’s virginity continued only until the birth of Jesus. However, the word “till” (Gr. heos) is not conclusive either for or against perpetual virginity. The most natural meaning of v. 25 is that although Mary did not live with Joseph as his wife before the birth of Jesus, she did so afterward. Compare the uses of heos in the LXX of Gen. 8:7; 1 Sam. 15:35; 2 Sam. 6:23 and in Matt. 5:26; 12:20; 18:30; 22:44. Jesus had both brothers and sisters, but the brothers, at least, were older than Jesus, and therefore Joseph’s children by a former marriage (see on Matt. 12:46). The fact that Jesus committed His mother to the care of John (John 19:27) may imply that Mary had no other children of her own. On the other hand, she may have had children who were not in a position to care for her or who were unsympathetic toward both her and Jesus. See on Matt. 1:18.

Her firstborn son. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the omission of the word “firstborn.” However, such an omission in no way affects the certainty that Jesus was Mary’s first-born, for these same manuscripts have the statement in Luke 2:7.

Among the Jews the term “firstborn” was frequently used in a technical, legal sense. As a result of the deliverance of Israel’s first-born from the tenth Egyptian plague, God claimed all the first-born sons of Israel as His own (Ex. 13:2; Num. 3:13). At Sinai the tribe of Levi was accepted for the service of the sanctuary in the place of the first-born of all the tribes, but the Lord required that every first-born son be redeemed (Num. 3:45, 46). Technically, the “firstborn” might be an only child.

Called his name Jesus. Names were officially conferred on children on the eighth day after birth (Luke 2:21). At that time “Jesus” was registered as the son of Mary and Joseph. See on Matt. 1:1.