Matthew 1

Genealogy 1
Mary became pregnant 18
Child's name to be Jesus 21
Compliance of Joseph 24
Text
Comments
.1 ¶ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
 2  Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
.3  And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
 4  And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
.5  And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
.6  And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
 7  And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
 8  And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
 9  And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
 .Book of the generation This seems unimportant to us, but Matthew's primary readers were Jewish people who felt this was important. Also, it shows fulfillment of prophecies about the Messiah.
   A careful count will show only 13 names in the last section v17 instead of 14. Two suggestions for this have been proposed. (1) Jechonias should be counted in two sections because he was before and during the captivity. (2) Jehoiakim got left out of a manuscript from between Josias and Jechonias, maybe because of similarity to Jechonias.
   The other issue here is leaving out names. Luke lists 56 to Matthew's 41. This practice was very common. Those listing their genealogies expected that readers would understand that the blood line was correct and carried between the important names. For example Matthew gives a very short list here. Compare Ezra's list ez0701
  3 - Phares Not the firstborn. See 1ch0203 (spelling is slightly different).
  5 - Rachab It is reasonable to see her as the prostitute of Jericho who saved the spies sent by Joshua jos0201. In this case, neither of Obed's parents were descendants of Abraham! This important lesson was missed by the Jews of Jesus' time. They were not better than the Gentiles. They only had a different job of evangelism which they failed to do. (The name is "Rahab" in the OT. The spelling difference reflects the Greek influence.)
 10  And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
 11  And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
 12  And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
 13  And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
 14  And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
 15  And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
.16  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
.17  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.
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.18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
.19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
.20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

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.21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
.22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
 23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
   20 - Conceived  ... of the Holy Ghost The idea of a sexual act is out of character with God whose laws are a revelation of His character. It also is not biblical. Compare lu0135.
   21 - Save ... from their sins Marvelous Saviour who not only forgives but restores us into the divine image.
   22 - Fulfilled See is0714. The phrase may also be translated "in fulfillment of. . . ."
.24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
 25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
  24 - As ... bidden A test of masculine pride. Joseph was a man of God.
  25 - Knew her not till The form of the Greek verb does not indicate that she remained a virgin after Jesus' birth.
  25 - Firstborn Some manuscripts omit this term although they include it in lu0207.
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