Abstract
A Son of God Christology has repeatedly been found in Mt. 1.18-25. Despite an initial plausibility, this option is not to be followed. An examination of the role of the Spirit in vv. 18 and 20, the reference to 'the Lord' in the citation formula of v. 22, and the significance of the name 'Emmanuel' in v. 23 shows that the christological focus is, as A. Vögtle maintained, upon the initiative of God in the incorporation of Jesus into the line of David. There is more, but it is a more without precision, and only the unfolding of Matthew's story can take us further.
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