23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her,
23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
23 "If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her,
23 If a man comes upon a virgin in town, a girl who is engaged to another man, and sleeps with her,
23 "If a young woman who is a virgin is betrothed to a husband, and a man finds her in the city and lies with her,
23 "Suppose a man meets a young woman, a virgin who is engaged to be married, and he has sexual intercourse with her. If this happens within a town,
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
(Read Matthew 1:18-25)
Let us look to the circumstances under which the Son of God entered into this lower world, till we learn to despise the vain honours of this world, when compared with piety and holiness. The mystery of Christ's becoming man is to be adored, not curiously inquired into. It was so ordered that Christ should partake of our nature, yet that he should be pure from the defilement of original sin, which has been communicated to all the race of Adam. Observe, it is the thoughtful, not the unthinking, whom God will guide. God's time to come with instruction to his people, is when they are at a loss. Divine comforts most delight the soul when under the pressure of perplexed thoughts. Joseph is told that Mary should bring forth the Saviour of the world. He was to call his name Jesus, a Saviour. Jesus is the same name with Joshua. And the reason of that name is clear, for those whom Christ saves, he saves from their sins; from the guilt of sin by the merit of his death, and from the power of sin by the Spirit of his grace. In saving them from sin, he saves them from wrath and the curse, and all misery, here and hereafter. Christ came to save his people, not in their sins, but from their sins; and so to redeem them from among men, to himself, who is separate from sinners. Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, speedily, without delay, and cheerfully, without dispute. By applying the general rules of the written word, we should in all the steps of our lives, particularly the great turns of them, take direction from God, and we shall find this safe and comfortable.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:23
Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:13-30
(Read Deuteronomy 22:13-30)
These and the like regulations might be needful then, and yet it is not necessary that we should curiously examine respecting them. The laws relate to the seventh commandment, laying a restraint upon fleshly lusts which war against the soul.