Definition: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 1:22. It’s a really important opening to the story of how Jesus came to Earth. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is setting up a prophecy – a prediction about the future – that God made about Jesus. It says, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Now all this was done..." : This is saying that something has been happening for a long time – a plan or purpose. It’s not just happening right now, but it's been going on before. "...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet..." : This is the core of the verse. “The Lord” refers to God himself. “The prophet” is a person who speaks for God – someone who tells people what God wants them to know. The verse says that this (what's being done) was planned and accomplished because God spoke about it in a prophecy to this prophet. In short, this verse is saying that God had a plan for Jesus before He came to live on Earth. It’s essentially saying that the coming of Jesus was part of God's overall plan. Why is this significant? This verse is foundational because it tells us why Jesus was born and why he would fulfill his purpose – to offer forgiveness, love, and salvation to humanity. It highlights that Jesus wasn’t just a random event; He was a pre-ordained part of God's plan for the world. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Provide context about the prophet who spoke this prophecy? Discuss what this verse might mean in terms of our lives today?