Espoused vs. Engaged: Why Bible Translation Matters

ESPOUSED vs. ENGAGED

(or….was Mary a New Testament example of a homeless, single mom…)

During preparation for this quarter’s Bible studies, there was a request to revisit this particular topic, which was briefly covered in the Christmas study. Ultimately, this is more than a discussion about language or cultural interpretation. It focuses on the accuracy of the King James Version of the Bible and the reasons why Band of Warriors for Christ chooses it over other reputable translations.

But let’s start here…

King James (Authorized) Version:

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV – 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 public 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.

New King James Version:

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.

New Living Translation:

¹⁸ This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

New International Version:

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[fn]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Christian Standard Bible:

¹⁸ The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged[fn] to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her

Many translations do get this right… The New English Translation, The English Standard Version, and American Standard Version project the correct understanding.

Espoused: (G3423)

μνηστεύω mnēsteúō, mnace-tyoo’-o; from a derivative of G3415; to give a souvenir

(engagement present), i.e. betroth:—espouse.

To promise “by one’s truth.” Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deut 28:30; Jdg 14:2,8; Mat 1:18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hsa 2:19,20).

Engaged:

inˈɡājd,enˈɡājd/

Adjective

1.

busy; occupied.
“I told him I was otherwise engaged.”

Synonyms:
busy, occupied, unavailable;
Informal: tied up
“He’s otherwise engaged.”

2.

having formally agreed to marry.
“She’s engaged to an American guy.”

Synonyms:
betrothed, promised in marriage, pledged in marriage; attached;
Informal: spoken for;
Literary: affianced;
Archaic: plighted, espoused

It may seem a slight shade of difference, but let’s think about this for a moment: Is God going to have his Son born under a cloud of adultery and fornication?

If the translation puts, as some of the modern translations describe it, Jesus conceived before the marriage of Mary and Joseph they would have been shunned in their community. They would have been outcasts. 

Mary could have been stoned!

(But Joseph, being a just man, didn’t want to publicly humiliate and subject Mary to the

possibility of death by stoning…)

But the FACT is that Mary and Joseph were legally married at the time of the announcement of Mary being with the child of the Holy Ghost.

• > Otherwise, Joseph wouldn’t have had to consider “putting away” his wife. They would have just called off the wedding. (You don’t have to divorce someone to whom you’re not legally married.)

• > Otherwise the angel would not have said to Joseph, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary THY WIFE (Mary, who is currently, your wife). 

By all accounts, Mary was legally married to Joseph.

Again, this leads us not just to a study about this particular topic, but to a study about the history of the translation of the Bible.

For more Bible study topics, click here to explore a wide range of lessons and resources.

Jesus told us in Mark 13:31 KJV – ³¹ Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that just like in the garden there is no confusion and disinformation swirling about to try to sway people away from what is right and true.

Right? One commandment in the Bible. Don’t eat the fruit of a particular tree.

So what is the confusion and disinformation about? The eating of the fruit of that tree.

When asked by a scribe what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered:

Mark 12:28-30 KJV – ²⁸ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹ And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is,

Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Final Thoughts

The distinction between “espoused” and “engaged” matters, highlighting the need for accurate Bible translations. Mary and Joseph were legally committed when Christ’s conception was revealed, preserving the purity of His birth. This underscores the importance of understanding Scripture as it was intended and staying rooted in its truth amidst misinformation.