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

¶ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

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

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

The Birth of Jesus Announced to Joseph

¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

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

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his 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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