Matthew 1:19
New International Version
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

New Living Translation
Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

English Standard Version
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Berean Standard Bible
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Berean Literal Bible
Then Joseph her husband, being righteous and not willing to shame her publicly, resolved to divorce her quietly.

King James Bible
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

New King James Version
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

New American Standard Bible
And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

NASB 1995
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

NASB 1977
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

Amplified Bible
And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly.

Christian Standard Bible
So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

American Standard Version
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Contemporary English Version
Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding.

English Revised Version
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly.

Good News Translation
Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.

International Standard Version
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to disgrace her, decided to divorce her secretly.

Majority Standard Bible
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

NET Bible
Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately.

New Heart English Bible
And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, purposed to put her away privately.

Weymouth New Testament
But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal.

World English Bible
Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and her husband Joseph being righteous, and not willing to make her an example, resolved to send her away privately.

Berean Literal Bible
Then Joseph her husband, being righteous and not willing to shame her publicly, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Young's Literal Translation
and Joseph her husband being righteous, and not willing to make her an example, did wish privately to send her away.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joseph her husband being just, and not willing to expose her to disgrace, wished to let her go in secret.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Joseph, her husband, since he was just and was not willing to hand her over, preferred to send her away secretly.

New American Bible
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

New Revised Standard Version
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Joseph her husband was a pious man, and did not wish to make it public; so hewas thinking of divorcing her secretly.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Yoseph her lord was righteous and did not want to expose her, and he was considering divorcing her secretly.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not choosing to make an example of her, intended to put her away privately.

Godbey New Testament
And Joseph her husband, being righteous and not wishing to expose her publicly, determined to send her away secretly.

Haweis New Testament
Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to expose her publicly, designed to put her away privately.

Mace New Testament
but Joseph her husband, being a good-natur'd man, and unwilling to expose her to publick shame, he designed to put her away privately.

Weymouth New Testament
But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal.

Worrell New Testament
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wishing to make an example of her, purposed privately to divorce her.

Worsley New Testament
but Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was inclined to break off the contract with her privately;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Jesus
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:1
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.

Malachi 2:16
“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Luke 1:27
to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 2:4-5
So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. / He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

John 8:4-5
and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. / And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. / For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

Genesis 6:9
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.

Genesis 38:24
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”

Ruth 3:11
And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Jeremiah 31:31-32
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.

Hosea 2:19-20
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”

Micah 5:2-3
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. / Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.

her husband.

Leviticus 19:20
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Deuteronomy 22:23,24
If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; …

a just.

Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Psalm 112:4,5
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous…

Mark 6:20
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

a public.

Genesis 38:24
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:21-24
Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you…

was.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house…

Mark 10:4
And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

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Determined Disgrace Divorce Example Husband Intended Joseph Kind-Hearted Mind Minded Planned Privately Privily Public Publicly Purposed Quietly Release Resolved Righteous Secretly Shame Unwilling Upright Wanting Willing
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Determined Disgrace Divorce Example Husband Intended Joseph Kind-Hearted Mind Minded Planned Privately Privily Public Publicly Purposed Quietly Release Resolved Righteous Secretly Shame Unwilling Upright Wanting Willing
Matthew 1
1. The genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph.
18. He is miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit by the Virgin Mary.
19. The angel satisfies the doubts of Joseph,
21. and declares the names and office of Jesus;
25. Jesus is born














Joseph her husband
The phrase highlights Joseph's legal and social status as Mary's betrothed, which in Jewish culture was as binding as marriage itself. The Greek word for "husband" here is "ἀνήρ" (anēr), indicating a man of mature age and responsibility. Joseph's role as Mary's husband is crucial, as it establishes Jesus' legal lineage to the house of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's descent.

was a righteous man
The term "righteous" is translated from the Greek word "δίκαιος" (dikaios), which means just, upright, or virtuous. In the Jewish context, a righteous man was one who adhered to the Law of Moses and lived a life pleasing to God. Joseph's righteousness is not merely legalistic but reflects a deep moral integrity and compassion, setting the stage for his merciful actions towards Mary.

and unwilling to disgrace her publicly
This phrase reveals Joseph's compassionate character. The Greek word for "disgrace" is "δειγματίζω" (deigmatizō), meaning to make a public example of someone. Joseph's unwillingness to expose Mary to public shame demonstrates his love and respect for her, as well as his desire to protect her dignity, even when he believed she had been unfaithful.

he resolved to divorce her quietly
The decision to "divorce her quietly" shows Joseph's merciful nature. The Greek word for "divorce" is "ἀπολύω" (apolyō), which means to release or send away. In Jewish law, a formal public divorce could have led to severe consequences for Mary, including social ostracism or even stoning. Joseph's choice to handle the matter discreetly reflects his desire to act justly while minimizing harm, embodying the balance of justice and mercy that is central to Christian ethics.

(19) Joseph her husband.--The word was applied with strict accuracy from the moment of betrothal onwards.

Being a just man. . . .--The glimpse given us into the character of Joseph is one of singular tenderness and beauty. To him, conscious of being of the house of David, and cherishing Messianic hopes, what he heard would seem to come as blighting those hopes. He dared not, as a "righteous" man, take to himself one who seemed thus to have sinned. But love and pity alike hindered him from pressing the law, which made death by stoning the punishment of such a sin (Deuteronomy 22:21), or even from publicly breaking off the marriage on the ground of the apparent guilt. There remained the alternative, which the growing frequency of divorce made easy, of availing himself of a "writ of divorcement," which did not necessarily specify the ground of repudiation, except in vague language implying disagreement (Matthew 19:3). Thus the matter would be settled quietly without exposure. The "bill of divorcement" was as necessary for the betrothed as for those who were fully man and wife.

Verse 19. - Then Joseph her husband; and (Revised Version). The thought is slightly adversative (δέ); though this was "of the Holy Ghost," yet Joseph was about to put her away. Being a just man; righteous (Revised Version); i.e. who strove to conform to the Divine precepts manifested for him in the Law (cf. Luke 1:6; Luke 2:25). And not willing; i.e. "and yet not wishing," though the Law, which he was striving to follow, seemed to inculcate harshness. This clause has been taken in the opposite sense equivalent to "and therefore not wishing," because the spirit of the Law, which he had learned to understand, was in reality against all unnecessary harshness. The negative used (if it can be at all insisted upon; cf. Simcox, 'Language of the New Testament,' p. 188) is in favour of the former interpretation. To make her a public example; rather, to proclaim her ("Wold not pupplische her, Wickliffe); avery αὐτὴν δειγματίσαι (cf. Colossians 2:15). The thought is of public proclamation of the fact of the divorce, not that of bringing Mary herself forward for public punishment, and so making her a public example ( παραδειγματίσαι). Was minded (ἐβουλήθη). The tense indicates the resolution come to as the result of the conflict between duty and wish implied in the preceding clause. To put her away secretly. Adopting the most private form of legal divorce, and handing the letter to her privately in presence of only two witnesses, to whom he need not communicate his reasons (cf. Edersheim, 'Life,' 1:154). Observe in this verse Joseph's insistance on his personal and family purity, and yet his delicate thoughtfulness for her whom he loved.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Because] Joseph
Ἰωσὴφ (Iōsēph)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2501: Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.

her
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

husband,
ἀνὴρ (anēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

a righteous man,
δίκαιος (dikaios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

was unwilling
θέλων (thelōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to disgrace her publicly,
δειγματίσαι (deigmatisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1165: To hold up as an example, make a show of, expose. From deigma; to exhibit.

he resolved
ἐβουλήθη (eboulēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1014: To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.

to divorce
ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

her
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

quietly.
λάθρᾳ (lathra)
Adverb
Strong's 2977: Secretly, privately. Adverb from lanthano; privately.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 1:19 Joseph her husband being a righteous man (Matt. Mat Mt)
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