He immediately brought to his mind David, from whom Christ was to come, and did not allow him to remain in confusion, reminding him by the name of his ancestors of the promise given to the whole family. By saying, "Do not be afraid," he shows that Joseph was afraid to offend God by keeping an adulterous woman in the house, as it were. Having pronounced the name of the Virgin Mary, the Angel did not stop there, but added: "thy wife." By this name he would not have called Her, if Her virginity had been corrupted. And here he calls the betrothed woman a wife. What does it mean to "accept"? That is, to keep her in her house, for Joseph had already mentally dismissed the Virgin. Her, says the Angel, is entrusted to you by God, and not by your parents, but not for marriage, but to live with Her, He entrusts it, announcing it through me. As Christ afterwards entrusted Her to His disciple, so now She is entrusted to Joseph. For, he says, she is not only pure from lawless confusion, but she also conceived in the womb supernaturally. Therefore, not only put aside fear, but also rejoice. For that which is born in Her is of the Holy Spirit. A wondrous work, which surpasses human understanding and surpasses the laws of nature!

Question: How can a man who does not know these things be convinced?

Answer: By the discovery of the past, says the Angel. For this he discovered all that was going on in his mind, by which he was perplexed, what he feared, and what he had resolved to do, in order that through this he might also assure him of this, or rather, assure him not only of the past, but also of those who are to be after this.

And he shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.

Since "that which is born is of the Holy Spirit," do not think that you are excluded from service at His incarnation. Though thou hast no part in the birth, yet I give thee the privilege of giving a name to the one to be born, thou shalt "give the name" of the Infant. Though he is not thy son, thou shalt be to him in the place of his father. Then, lest anyone conclude from this that Joseph is a father, listen to the caution with which the angel says further: "And he shall bear a son." He did not say, "He will give birth to you," but expressed himself vaguely, "He will give birth." For Mary gave birth not only to him, but to the whole universe. For this reason the name was brought by the Angel from heaven, indicating the divine nature, for even before birth the Angel announces in this name the blessings that will be granted to those who are born to the whole world.

Question: What are these benefits?

Answer: Deliverance from sins and salvation. For He will save His people from their sins. In these words it is shown how high this salvation is, for the gospel is proclaimed, not from sensual warfare, nor from barbarian captivity, but, what is much more important than this, liberation from sins, from which no one could previously be freed.

Question: Why is it said, "His people," and not added, "and all the nations"?