1:16a–b

Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as whom is feminine. Therefore, it refers to Mary only. It does not refer to Joseph.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Joseph, who married Mary, the mother of Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus (God’s Word)

who is called Christ: The phrase who is called Christ indicates that Jesus is described or addressed with the title Christ. He received this title because he actually is the Christ.

The verb is called is passive. The text does not specify who will call Jesus this. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use a passive. For example:

Jesus is called the Christ. (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

They call him the Christ

• Use a form to focus on the fact that Jesus is the Christ. For example:

he is the Christ/Messiah

-or-

he has the title “Christ”

Christ: Here Matthew used the word Christ as a descriptive title for Jesus. Christ is not just a name for Jesus. It has meaning, and the meaning of the title is in focus in this context.

See the note on Christ in 1:1a for advice on translating this title.

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