Matthew1

Matthew chapter one begins by establishing the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage through David back to Abraham, structured into three sets of fourteen generations. The chapter then details the miraculous circumstances of Jesus' birth. Mary, espoused to Joseph, was found to be with child by the Holy Ghost, leading Joseph to consider a private separation until an angel appeared to him in a dream, confirming the divine conception and instructing him to name the child Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins.

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,

and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.

Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.

Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

The Birth of Jesus Announced to Joseph

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

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

But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

Study Notes for Matthew 1

Verse 1

The opening phrase, 'book of the generation' (biblos geneseos), establishes the work as a historical record of origins. Matthew immediately asserts Jesus's credentials as the rightful Messiah (Son of David) and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises (Son of Abraham).

Verse 5

Matthew notably includes four women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and 'her that had been the wife of Urias') in this male lineage. The presence of these women, some of whom were Gentiles or associated with scandal, underscores that God works through imperfect human history.

Verse 6

David is explicitly named 'the king,' emphasizing the royal line leading to Jesus. The reference to Bathsheba as 'her that had been the wife of Urias' is a deliberate allusion to David’s great sin (2 Sam 11), reminding the reader that even the Messianic line is marked by human failure.

Verse 11

The Babylonian Exile marks a decisive historical breakpoint and judgment, serving as the division point for the second and third sets of fourteen generations.

Verse 16

This verse breaks the repetitive genealogical formula ('A begat B') to emphasize the unique, non-biological role of Joseph. Joseph is merely the legal father (husband of Mary), ensuring Jesus's legal claim to the Davidic throne, while 'Christ' is the title meaning 'Anointed One' (Messiah).

Verse 17

The division into three groups of fourteen generations is highly structured and deliberate, designed to serve as a mnemonic device. The number 14 is the numerical value (gematria) of the Hebrew name David (DWD), emphasizing Jesus's identity as the ultimate Davidic King.

Verse 18

This verse begins the narrative portion, focusing on the miraculous conception. Espousal was a legally binding relationship, often lasting a year, which could only be broken by formal divorce.

Verse 19

Joseph is described as 'just' (dikaios), meaning he was committed to obeying the Law, which required divorce for suspected adultery. However, his compassion led him to seek a private divorce to protect Mary from public shame and legal penalty.

Verse 20

The angel addresses Joseph as 'son of David,' confirming his legal importance to the lineage and legitimizing Jesus's royal claim. Dreams are a primary mode of divine communication in the early chapters of Matthew.

Verse 21

Joseph is instructed to name the child, an act of adoption that legally establishes Jesus as his heir. The name Jesus (Yeshua) means 'Yahweh saves,' explicitly defining his mission as spiritual redemption from sin, not merely political liberation.

Verse 23

This is the first of Matthew’s 'fulfillment citations,' arguing that Jesus is the culmination of Old Testament prophecy (Isa 7:14). Emmanuel ('God with us') confirms the identity of Jesus as divine presence, emphasizing the reality of the Incarnation.

Verse 25

Joseph’s immediate obedience highlights his faithfulness. The phrase 'knew her not till' establishes the virgin birth but does not preclude subsequent marital relations, though church tradition later affirmed Mary's perpetual virginity.

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Matthew1

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

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