Does Matthew 1:23 Prove Jesus Is THE GOD, as Many Claim?

Research by Simon Brown

Quick Facts

Many Christians point to Matthew 1:23 and argue that because Jesus is called Immanuel ("God with us"), this proves that Jesus is THE Almighty God Himself.

But does the verse actually say that?

When we examine Matthew 1:23 in its original Greek context, compare it with Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:8-10, and the teachings of Jesus Himself, a different picture emerges.

---

Matthew 1:23

Berean Literal Bible

"Behold, the virgin will conceive in the womb and will bear a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel," which being translated is, "God with us."

This verse is a quotation from Isaiah 7:14.

The question is not whether Jesus is Immanuel, but what the title "Immanuel" actually means.

---

The Meaning of "Immanuel"

The Hebrew name Immanuel literally means:

"God is with us."

The name itself does not automatically identify the child as Almighty God.

Throughout Scripture, many names contain the word God (El) or Yahweh, yet no one imagines that the people bearing those names literally were God Himself.

Biblical names often describe:

• God's presence

• God's activity

• God's promises

• God's protection

• God's relationship with His people

rather than the nature or identity of the person carrying the name.

---

Looking at the Greek Text

One interesting observation comes from the Greek text used in interlinear translations.

After the words:

"with us"

appears the definite article:

ὁ (ho)

meaning:

"the."

Your research argues that the phrase can be understood as:

"With us (THE) God."

rather than simply

"God with us."

This observation highlights that Matthew is emphasising the presence of THE God with His people, rather than necessarily identifying Jesus as THE God Himself.

Whether one agrees with this grammatical conclusion or not, it is certainly worth examining carefully instead of simply assuming the traditional interpretation.

---

Isaiah Gives the Context

Matthew is quoting Isaiah 7:14.

What is interesting is that Isaiah does not include the explanatory phrase:

"which means, God with us."

Instead, the name Immanuel stands by itself.

The explanation appears later in Isaiah 8.

Isaiah writes:

"the breadth of your land, O Immanuel."

Then only two verses later he says:

"For God is with us."

The connection suggests that Immanuel symbolises God's presence among His people.

---

A Symbolic Name

Many biblical names are symbolic.

Examples include:

• Elijah — "My God is Yahweh"

• Daniel — "God is my Judge"

• Isaiah — "Yahweh saves"

No one concludes these individuals literally were Yahweh.

Likewise,

Immanuel declares that God is acting among His people.

The name itself does not require the child to literally be Almighty God.

---

God Was Present Through His Son

The New Testament repeatedly explains how God was with mankind.

Paul writes:

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."

(2 Corinthians 5:19)

Notice what Paul says.

He does not write:

"God was Christ."

Instead he says:

God was in Christ.

Jesus likewise explained this relationship.

"The Father who dwells in Me does His works."

(John 14:10)

Again, Jesus points to the Father living and working through Him, rather than saying He Himself is the Father.

---

Jesus' Own Teaching

Perhaps the clearest statement comes from Jesus Himself.

John 17:3 records His prayer:

"This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

Jesus distinguishes:

• the only true God

• and Jesus Christ whom He sent

If Jesus consistently identifies His Father as the only true God, then Matthew 1:23 should be interpreted in harmony with that teaching rather than in contradiction to it.

---

God Dwells in Believers Too

Jesus also promised:

"My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

(John 14:23)

God dwelling in believers does not make believers God.

Likewise, God dwelling in His Son does not automatically mean His Son is Almighty God.

Instead, it demonstrates God's presence working through those in whom He dwells.

---

The Main Point

Matthew 1:23 does not necessarily teach that Jesus is THE Almighty God.

Rather, it proclaims that THE God was with His people through His promised Messiah.

Jesus perfectly revealed His Father.

God was present in Him.

God worked through Him.

God reconciled the world through Him.

This understanding harmonises with:

• Isaiah 7–8

• John 14

• John 17:3

• 2 Corinthians 5:19

• and the consistent New Testament teaching that the Father is the one true God, while Jesus is His uniquely begotten Son.

---

Conclusion

Matthew 1:23 is a wonderful declaration of God's presence among His people.

The title Immanuel announces that God is with us through His Messiah.

By itself, however, it does not prove that Jesus is THE Almighty God.

Instead, the wider biblical context points to the Father working through His Son, fulfilling His promise to dwell among His people.

As with every passage of Scripture, the safest approach is to follow the example of the Bereans and examine the evidence carefully before drawing conclusions. (Acts 17:11)