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.

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1
A record of the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ​
2
Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
3
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
4
Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon.
5
Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. ​
6
Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. ​
7
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa.
8
Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah.
9
Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
10
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
11
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. ​
12
After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel.
13
Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor.
14
Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud.
15
Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob.
16
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Miriam, from whom was born Yeshua, who is called Messiah. ​
17
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. ​

The Birth of Jesus Announced to Joseph

18
Now the birth of Yeshua the Messiah was like this; for after his mother, Miriam, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. ​
19
Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. ​
20
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Miriam, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ​
21
She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Yeshua, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” ​
22
Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.” ​
24
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
25
and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Yeshua. ​

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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