Matthew 1:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G3767} all {G3956} the generations {G1074} from {G575} Abraham {G11} to {G2193} David {G1138} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}; and {G2532} from {G575} David {G1138} until {G2193} the carrying away {G3350} into Babylon {G897} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}; and {G2532} from {G575} the carrying away {G3350} into Babylon {G897} unto {G2193} Christ {G5547} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus there were fourteen generations from Avraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian Exile, and fourteen generations from the Babylonian Exile to the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 1:17 serves as a pivotal summary statement, concluding the detailed genealogy of Jesus Christ presented in the preceding verses. It meticulously structures the lineage into three distinct periods, each comprising fourteen generations: from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to the birth of Christ. This tripartite division is not merely a historical record but a profound theological statement, underscoring God's sovereign orchestration of history and affirming Jesus's legitimate claim as the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of Abraham and the Son of David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 1:17 functions as the concluding summary of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, which spans [Matthew 1:1-16](/matthew/1-1-16 "Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus"). The preceding verses meticulously list the ancestors of Jesus, tracing His lineage through Joseph back to Abraham. This verse provides a concise, structured overview of that extensive list, highlighting the three major epochs of salvation history that culminate in the Messiah's arrival. By presenting this summary, Matthew emphasizes the intentionality and divine design behind the historical progression, ensuring that his readers grasp the theological significance of the lineage rather than just the names themselves. It solidifies the argument for Jesus's messianic credentials, rooted deeply in Israel's history and covenant promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Matthew's Gospel was primarily written for a Jewish audience, for whom genealogies were of paramount importance. Lineage established identity, inheritance, and legitimacy, especially for religious and royal claims. The figures mentioned—Abraham, the patriarch and father of the Jewish nation, and David, the revered king from whose line the Messiah was prophesied to come—were foundational to Jewish identity and messianic expectation. The "carrying away into Babylon" refers to the traumatic Babylonian Exile (586 BCE), a cataclysmic event that marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and a period of profound national suffering and theological questioning for Israel. Matthew's structure, therefore, connects Jesus to the glorious past (Abraham, David), acknowledges the national tragedy (Exile), and presents Jesus as the ultimate hope and fulfillment beyond that tragedy.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous structure of Matthew's genealogy and its summary in [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - The Threefold Genealogy") powerfully conveys several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Plan**. The precise enumeration of generations, despite potential historical discrepancies in exact counts, emphasizes God's meticulous oversight of history, demonstrating that Jesus's birth was not random but the culmination of a divine plan unfolding over centuries. This underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even through periods of human failing and national upheaval. Secondly, it establishes **Messianic Legitimacy**. By linking Jesus directly to Abraham, the recipient of the covenant promise of blessing for all nations ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")), and especially to David, the king from whom an eternal kingdom was promised ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), Matthew affirms Jesus's credentials as the long-awaited King of Israel and the fulfillment of these covenants. Finally, the **Structured History** itself is a theme. Matthew's deliberate division into three sets of fourteen generations reveals a theological purpose, often linked to the numerical value (gematria) of David's name (D-V-D = 4+6+4=14 in Hebrew), subtly reinforcing Jesus's identity as the Son of David and the true heir to the Davidic throne.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **generations (Greek, _geneá'_):** From a presumed derivative of *genos*, this term signifies a generation, a lineage, or a period of time. In [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - The Generations of Christ"), it refers to the sequence of descendants, emphasizing the historical continuity and succession that culminates in Christ. It highlights the successive stages of God's unfolding plan through human history.
* **carrying away (Greek, _metoikesía'_):** Derived from a compound of *meta* (change) and *oikos* (house), this word denotes a "change of abode" or, more specifically, "expatriation." It refers to the traumatic Babylonian Exile, a forced displacement of the Jewish people from their homeland. Its inclusion marks a significant, disruptive turning point in Israel's history, yet one through which God's plan continued to advance.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** From *chrio* (to anoint), this term means "anointed" and is an epithet for the Messiah. In [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - The Anointed One"), it is not merely a name but a title, signifying Jesus as the fulfillment of all messianic prophecies, the long-awaited King and Savior, the divinely appointed one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations":** This clause establishes the first major epoch of salvation history, beginning with Abraham, the patriarch through whom God initiated His covenant with Israel, and extending to David, the king who established the monarchy and received the promise of an eternal dynasty. The "fourteen generations" signify a period of divine blessing and the establishment of Israel as a nation under God's chosen king.
* **"and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations":** This second clause marks a period of decline and judgment for Israel, moving from the height of the Davidic kingdom to the devastating Babylonian Exile. Despite the national apostasy and subsequent divine discipline, Matthew emphasizes that God's plan continued to unfold, maintaining the specific number of generations, even through a time of apparent setback and national catastrophe.
* **"and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations":** The final clause spans the post-exilic period, a time of waiting and longing for the Messiah, culminating in the birth of Jesus. This segment highlights the enduring hope of Israel and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the person of Christ, demonstrating that even after centuries of silence and foreign domination, God's redemptive purpose was precisely on schedule.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several significant literary devices in [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - Matthew's Literary Craftsmanship"). The most prominent is **Structure/Symmetry**, specifically a tripartite division into three sets of fourteen generations. This highly organized structure is not merely for ease of recall but serves a profound theological purpose, emphasizing the intentionality and divine orchestration of history. The **Repetition** of "fourteen generations" reinforces this deliberate structure and highlights the consistent, unwavering progression towards the Messiah. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of **Gematria**, where the numerical value of David's name (D-V-D in Hebrew sums to 14) is believed to underpin the choice of "fourteen," subtly embedding a theological message about Jesus's identity as the ultimate "Son of David" within the numerical framework. This numerical symbolism underscores Jesus's royal lineage and messianic claim.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 1:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign control over history. It demonstrates that the arrival of Jesus Christ was not a random event but the meticulously planned culmination of centuries of divine activity, covenant promises, and historical developments, even through periods of national triumph and profound suffering. The structured genealogy underscores the theological truth that God works through human history, guiding events and preserving a lineage to bring about His ultimate redemptive purposes. It assures believers that God's promises are reliable and that His ultimate plan for salvation, centered in Christ, is perfectly executed.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant") - God's promise to Abraham, initiating the lineage through which all nations would be blessed.
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant") - God's promise to David of an eternal dynasty, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
* [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time") - Emphasizes that Christ came "in the fullness of time," aligning with Matthew's portrayal of a divinely orchestrated timeline.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 1:17 invites us to marvel at the depth and precision of God's redemptive plan. It reminds us that our lives, our histories, and even our challenges are not outside of God's sovereign oversight. Just as God meticulously orchestrated generations of seemingly ordinary people, and even periods of national crisis like the Babylonian exile, to bring about the birth of His Son, so too does He work in our individual lives and the broader sweep of history. This verse offers profound assurance that God is faithful to His promises, patiently working out His will across centuries, and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. It encourages us to trust in His providence, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear, knowing that He is always moving towards the fulfillment of His glorious plan for our redemption and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise structure of Matthew's genealogy in [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - God's Precise Plan") deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty and intentionality in history?**
* **Considering the periods of both blessing (Abraham to David) and hardship (David to Babylon), what does this verse teach you about God's faithfulness through all circumstances?**
* **How does knowing that Jesus's birth was the culmination of a divinely orchestrated plan impact your trust in God's timing and purposes for your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Matthew divide the genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations?**
Answer: Matthew's division of the genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations is highly intentional and serves a theological purpose rather than a strictly chronological one. While the exact count in some periods might appear to differ slightly from other Old Testament lists, Matthew's adherence to "fourteen" is widely understood to be connected to the Hebrew numerical value (gematria) of David's name. In Hebrew, the letters of David's name (D-V-D or *Dalet-Vav-Dalet*) have numerical values: Dalet (ד) = 4, Vav (ו) = 6, Dalet (ד) = 4. Summing these values (4 + 6 + 4) equals 14. This structure subtly reinforces Jesus's identity as the Son of David, the true heir to the Davidic throne, and the fulfillment of God's covenant with David. It emphasizes Jesus's royal lineage and messianic legitimacy for Matthew's Jewish audience.

**Does Matthew's genealogy perfectly align with Old Testament records in terms of the number of generations?**
Answer: Scholars note that Matthew's genealogy, particularly in its count of "fourteen generations" for each period, involves some selectivity and possible omissions when compared to other Old Testament lists (e.g., [1 Chronicles 3](/1_chronicles/3 "1 Chronicles 3 - David's Descendants")). This is not seen as an error but as a deliberate literary and theological choice by Matthew. Ancient genealogies often served a specific purpose—to establish lineage, legitimacy, or a theological point—rather than being exhaustive historical records in the modern sense. Matthew's focus was on demonstrating Jesus's messianic credentials and the divine orchestration of history, making the symbolic and structural significance of the number fourteen paramount. The omissions are not accidental but purposeful, shaping the narrative to highlight the key theological periods leading to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:17 profoundly underscores the Christ-centered nature of all history and God's redemptive plan. The meticulous tracing of generations from Abraham to David, and through the exile to Christ, reveals that Jesus is the ultimate goal and fulfillment of God's covenant promises. He is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all the nations of the earth are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")). More significantly, He is the "Son of David," the promised King whose throne would be established forever ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus's Eternal Kingship")). The three periods, culminating in Christ, demonstrate that even through national decline and exile, God was faithfully working to bring forth the Messiah. Jesus, therefore, is not merely another figure in a long line; He is the climactic point, the one in whom the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants find their ultimate "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). He is the true King, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the one who inaugurates the new covenant, fulfilling all the hopes and prophecies of the Old Testament.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 24:14

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

Matthew 1:11

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

Matthew 1:12

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

Jeremiah 27:20

Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Matthew 11:2

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,