Matthew 1:14

Matthew 1:14 is a concise verse within the opening chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, continuing the genealogy of Jesus Christ. It lists three generations in the lineage of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus: "And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud." This verse, like others in the genealogy, serves as a crucial link in demonstrating Jesus' rightful claim to the Davidic throne and His identity as the promised Messiah.

Context

This verse is part of the comprehensive genealogical record presented in Matthew 1:1-17. Matthew's genealogy primarily traces the lineage through Joseph, establishing Jesus' legal right to the kingship of Israel, as Joseph was a descendant of King David. Unlike Luke's genealogy which traces back to Adam, Matthew's begins with Abraham and emphasizes the royal line through David, structuring it into three distinct sets of fourteen generations, as highlighted in Matthew 1:17. The names Azor, Sadoc, Achim, and Eliud represent generations during the post-exilic period, bridging the gap between the return from Babylonian captivity and the advent of Christ.

Key Themes

• Messianic Lineage: The primary purpose of this verse, and the entire genealogy, is to affirm Jesus' direct descent from Abraham and David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's lineage. It systematically proves His credentials as the rightful King of Israel.
• God's Faithfulness and Continuity: Even through generations where little else is known about the individuals, the consistent repetition of "begat" (Greek: egennēsen, meaning "fathered") underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Each name is a testament to the continuous unfolding of His divine plan toward the incarnation of Christ.
• Historical Grounding: The inclusion of specific names like Azor, Sadoc, Achim, and Eliud grounds the story of Jesus firmly in human history, emphasizing that He was not a mythical figure but a real person with verifiable ancestry.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "begat" is a direct translation of the Greek verb egennēsen, which simply means "fathered" or "was the father of." Its consistent use throughout the genealogy, including in Matthew 1:14, highlights the direct, paternal line of descent. While these specific names (Azor, Sadoc, Achim, Eliud) are not prominent figures in other biblical narratives, their inclusion validates the meticulous record-keeping of the Jewish people concerning family lines, especially those connected to the Davidic covenant.

Practical Application

While seemingly a dry list of names, Matthew 1:14 reminds us that God works through long stretches of time and through ordinary individuals to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. It encourages us to see the significance in every step of God's unfolding plan, even the seemingly mundane ones. Just as these individuals played their part in the lineage of Christ, so too does every believer have a unique role in God's greater narrative. This verse underscores the reliability of God's promises, assuring us that if He fulfilled His ancient covenants through these generations, He will also fulfill His promises to us today.