Matthew 1:16

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

And {G1161} Jacob {G2384} begat {G1080} Joseph {G2501} the husband {G435} of Mary {G3137}, of {G1537} whom {G3739} was born {G1080} Jesus {G2424}, who {G3588} is called {G3004} Christ {G5547}.

Ya`akov was the father of Yosef the husband of Miryam, from whom was born the Yeshua who was called the Messiah.

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 1:16 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of Matthew’s opening genealogy, marking the culmination of the lineage leading to Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse concludes the third and final section of Matthew’s genealogical record, which began in Matthew 1:1. Unlike the preceding verses that consistently use the phrase "begat," verse 16 introduces a significant shift. While Jacob begat Joseph, the text carefully states that Jesus was born "of whom" (Mary), subtly affirming the miraculous, virgin birth of Jesus. This meticulous detailing serves to establish Jesus' legal right to the Davidic throne through Joseph, while simultaneously affirming His divine origin.

Key Themes

  • The Virgin Birth: The distinct phrasing "of whom was born Jesus" emphasizes Mary's unique role and implicitly points to the divine conception of Jesus, setting Him apart from all previous generations. This truth is foundational to Christian belief and further elaborated in Luke 1:34-35.
  • Messianic Identity: Jesus is explicitly identified as "Christ," which is the Greek word Christos (Χριστός), meaning "Anointed One." This directly corresponds to the Hebrew term Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ). By calling Him Christ, Matthew declares that Jesus is the long-awaited deliverer and King, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the promised Messiah.
  • Legal Lineage of David: Despite the virgin birth, Joseph's role as Mary's husband provides the legal link connecting Jesus to the royal line of King David. This ensures that Jesus fulfills the prophecies requiring the Messiah to be a descendant of David, solidifying His claim as the rightful heir to the throne of Israel.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek phrase "ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη Ἰησοῦς" (ex hēs egennēthē Iēsous), translated as "of whom was born Jesus," is crucial. Unlike the repetitive "ἐγέννησεν" (egennēsen, "begat") used for all previous male ancestors, this passive construction clearly indicates that Joseph did not "beget" Jesus. This subtle yet powerful linguistic distinction highlights the miraculous, non-biological fatherhood of Joseph and the divine origin of Jesus.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:16 reminds us that God meticulously orchestrates history to fulfill His redemptive plan. The seemingly dry list of names culminates in the most significant birth in history—that of Jesus, the Christ. This verse affirms both Jesus' humanity (through His lineage) and His divinity (through His unique birth), offering a firm foundation for faith in Him as the Savior. It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and His faithfulness to His promises throughout generations.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:17 (5 votes)

    Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

  • John 4:25 (4 votes)

    The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

  • Matthew 27:22 (4 votes)

    Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

  • Luke 3:23 (4 votes)

    And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,

  • Luke 1:31 (3 votes)

    And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

  • Luke 1:35 (3 votes)

    And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

  • Luke 1:27 (2 votes)

    To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.