wilderness of Judea. He spends most of his life there. But, this does one thing for Yochanan: it separates
him from the man-made traditions of the Judaism of his day. When his message finally does come, it is going
to be richer than the Judaism of his day. Yochanan the Immerser was a wonder-child, born to a priestly
couple in their old age. For some years before his ―manifestation to Israel‖, since the discovery of the Dead
Sea Scrolls, it has been thought probable that his wilderness visit was not isolated. Perhaps he lived for a
time (perhaps most of his adult life) in the community of the Essenes at Qumran. Josephus, the First-Century
historian, wrote that the Essenes ―adopted other men‘s children and molded them according to their
principles‖. It is thought by some that Zacharias and Elizabeth allowed the Essenes to adopt their son at
some late point in time and raise him, suspecting that their lives would soon end as they had been very old.
Also, to ensure that their son was taught the principles that they believed in, the Essenes would be the
closest group to do this.
Birth of Y‟shua HaMashiach (Y‟shua the Messiah) (we read again from Matthew chapter 1)(18) ―Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was
minded to put her away privily.
(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,
saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Ghost.
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins.
(22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
(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.
(24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him
his wife:
(25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS‖.
―(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost‖. In this segment the emphasis
is on the virgin birth. Remember, Matthew is trying to solve the problem of Jechonias the cursed, and for
Matthew the solution to the problem is the virgin birth. So, three times he emphasises it. We are now dealing
with Matthew because he tells the story from Yoseph‘s perspective.
―(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was
minded to put her away privily‖. By Jewish law, to break a betrothal required a bill of divorcement (get). As
Yoseph was thinking of breaking the betrothal, he would have to deal with a bill of divorcement. The Mishnah
says, ―Should a bridegroom have to complain of non-virginity on the part of the bride, he presents himself
early the next morning to the Bet Din‖. This was Yoseph‘s first option at that point since his wife-to-be was
pregnant, indicating that she was not a virgin. He could bring her before the Bet Din and get the divorce
finalised. This procedure is called ―Sotah‖. According to the Mishnah the espoused wife may thus, before the
marriage, be put away.
According to Jewish custom, his second option was to affect the divorce privately instead of bringing her
before a public tribunal and expose her to public disgrace. This is exactly what Yoseph was contemplating
when the angel told him to proceed with the marriage.
―(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,
saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Ghost‖. The angel‘s message to Yoseph can be summarised in three points.
First, he is to fulfil the marriage vow to Miriam.
Secondly, he is to believe and accept Miriam‘s story.
And thirdly, all is going according to plan.
―(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins‖. The fact that Y‘shua was a Jew by birth is crucial for understanding the nature and person
of Y‘shua as being presented in the Synoptic Gospels. He was given the Hebrew name Y‘shua. This name,
derived from the Hebrew verb ―yasha‖, revealed the destiny He was to fulfil in His life and ministry on this
earth.