Matthew 1:6

Commentary on Matthew 1:6 (KJV)

Matthew 1:6 continues the vital genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage through the royal line of David. This verse highlights the transition from Jesse to David, and then from David to Solomon, emphasizing David's pivotal role as "the king" and subtly foreshadowing the royal status of the Messiah.

Context

This verse is part of Matthew's opening section, which establishes Jesus's qualifications as the Messiah. The primary purpose of this genealogy is to demonstrate that Jesus is a legitimate descendant of Abraham and, crucially, of King David, thereby fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's lineage. Matthew's account is particularly significant because it focuses on the legal lineage through Joseph, Jesus's adoptive father, connecting Him to the Davidic throne. The inclusion of David as "the king" underscores the importance of this specific branch of the family tree for the promised Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

• Messianic Lineage: The verse firmly places Jesus within the Davidic covenant, where God promised an eternal throne to David's descendant. This connection was essential for Jewish audiences to recognize Jesus as the prophesied King.
• God's Sovereignty and Grace: The most striking detail in this verse is the reference to Solomon's mother: "of her [that had been the wife] of Urias." This unusual phrasing deliberately highlights the scandalous circumstances of David's sin with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, which involved adultery and the murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Despite this profound human failure and sin, God's redemptive plan continued through David's lineage. This demonstrates God's incredible grace and His ability to work through imperfect people and even scandalous situations to achieve His divine purposes.
• Inclusivity in God's Plan: Matthew's genealogy is unique in mentioning four women: Tamar (Matthew 1:3), Rahab and Ruth (Matthew 1:5), and Bathsheba (implied here). Each of these women had unusual or controversial circumstances surrounding their entry into the lineage, often involving foreignness or unconventional methods. Their inclusion emphasizes that God's plan is not limited by human conventions, moral failings, or ethnic boundaries.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "of her [that had been the wife] of Urias" (Greek: ek tēs tou Ouriou, literally "out of the one of Uriah") is a significant linguistic choice. Instead of simply naming Bathsheba, Matthew opts for a description that immediately brings to mind the tragic and sinful context of David's actions. This serves to underscore the depth of David's sin while simultaneously magnifying the grace of God who continued His covenant promises despite human failure.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:6 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It reminds us that:

• God uses imperfect people: The lineage of Jesus is not a sanitized list of perfect individuals but includes those with significant flaws and even grave sins. This provides hope that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or present struggles, for His glory.
• God is faithful to His promises: Despite the profound moral failure of King David, God remained faithful to His covenant promises regarding the Messiah coming through David's line. This reinforces the steadfastness of God's character.
• Grace triumphs over scandal: The inclusion of such a controversial detail in the Messiah's genealogy highlights the transformative power of God's grace, which can redeem even the most challenging circumstances and integrate them into His redemptive plan.