In Greek the first sentence of this verse serves two functions: it ties the story of the birth of Jesus Christ to the genealogy, and it functions as a topic sentence to introduce the narrative which follows. Note, for example, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “As to the birth of Jesus Christ, it took place as follows:….”

Most languages have words or phrases that function like Now, to show the connection between the paragraphs, and the translators should use what is most natural for them.

It is important that in this way (“how” in Good News Translation) not be translated to mean the physical details of labor and birth. The expression refers to the broader context of events around the birth. Some translators say “This is what happened when Jesus Christ was born” or “This is the story of how Jesus Christ was born.” This is a good solution, too, for languages which do not have a noun “birth” but must use a verbal phrase.

As the RSV footnote indicates, some ancient authorities read “the Christ” in place of Jesus Christ, which is the basis for New English Bible: “the birth of the Messiah.” A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (TC-GNT) reports that the committee for the UBS Greek text had a choice that was “exceedingly difficult,” though it favors the reading followed by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other translations.

Betrothed … came together (Good News Translation “engaged … married”): though the Jews did distinguish engagement from marriage, the dissolution of an engagement was considered the equivalent of divorce, and an engaged woman whose husband-to-be had died was regarded as a widow. Consequently, any sexual relations between an engaged woman and another man was viewed as adultery, and the woman was punished accordingly.

Betrothed: some languages find “promised” as the closest equivalent to “engaged,” as in “Jesus’ mother was Mary. She was promised in marriage to Joseph.” Other ways to speak of it might be “had promised to marry” or “was going to marry.”

There are languages that have to introduce Joseph as a participant in the discourse. These cannot say simply that Mary was engaged “to Joseph,” but rather “to a man named Joseph.”

In some cases, putting the statement that Mary was Jesus’ mother before the statement that she was engaged to Joseph makes it seem that Jesus was born before the engagement. To avoid that, translators say “Mary was Jesus’ mother. At the time she was engaged (or, promised in marriage) to a man named Joseph, before they came together…,” or even “Mary was Jesus’ mother. Before that, at the time she was engaged to Joseph….”

Before they came together: although this verb most frequently means “come together,” it is also used in papyri contracts with the meaning of “marry,” which is the basis for Good News Translation “before they were married.” Matthew is obviously referring to marriage, and there is no particular advantage in translating by a verb which is not specific. Although in many respects (as mentioned above) engagement was considered as binding as marriage, the two words are distinguished from one another. Marriage actually took place only as the bridegroom took his bride to his home and consummated the marriage with her.

Some translators have taken came together to mean specifically “sexual intercourse,” but “married” is more accurate here. Translators can also use expressions such as “live together as husband and wife.”

She was found to be with is transformed by Good News Translation to read “she found out” (similarly New English Bible). However, most all modern English translations maintain the impersonal force of the Greek passive verb, as does Revised Standard Version.

In many languages, “it was seen that,” or “one saw that,” or “they found that” are ways to keep it impersonal, that is, not saying specifically who found out the information.

The problem is that frequently it is difficult to translate impersonally without sounding somewhat indelicate. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is sensitive in its restructuring: “but before the couple entered marriage, it turned out that Mary was expecting a child through the working of the Holy Spirit.”

Another expression that can be used is “it happened that….”

To be with child of the Holy Spirit (Good News Translation “she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit”): although the virginity of Mary is assumed throughout the narrative, it is not in focus. What is in focus is that this birth is brought about by God himself, through his Holy Spirit. There is rarely a problem in using a normal term for pregnancy here: “She was pregnant” or “… with child.” But translators must be sure that the term they use is considered polite. Perhaps “she was going to be a mother.”

As for of the Holy Spirit, a few translators have used a phrase which made it seem the Holy Spirit had sexual intercourse with Mary. This should be avoided. It would be better to say “It was the Holy Spirit that caused her to be pregnant,” or “The Holy Spirit had brought this about,” or “The power of the Holy Spirit had made this happen.”

There are two problems in finding a good translation of Holy Spirit. First, translators need to study the understanding of spiritual powers and forces their own people have, and then choose a word in their language for “spirit” that conforms most closely to the idea of a vital principle or animating force within living beings.

As translators study the concepts of “holy” in various contexts, it becomes apparent that “holy” involves things that somehow relate to God. Things or people can be called “holy” if they belong to God, are consecrated to him, are like him, or if he is in them, and so forth. In some cases there will be a word in a language to cover “holy” that will fit well with this idea in most contexts. Translators can then use it. But very often translators find that “God” should actually be used in the translation. Thus the Holy Spirit can be translated “God’s Spirit.”

It is especially important to avoid words for “holy” that in fact mean “taboo,” or words such as “white” or “good” or “clean” which do not adequately show the God-ness of “holy.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .