the passage. No true meaning can be assigned to it until the significance of these historical reflections is known. It is said of Mary and her relation to Joseph, “Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph” (Matt. 1:18). Here is a reflection of first-century Jewish marriage customs. Before the situation can be correctly interpreted, the social customs of the Jews relating to marriage must be understood. Understanding the text itself is at the heart of interpretation. To understand
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