*Matthew 1: 1-25
The first chapter of Matthew’s gospel traces the lineage of Jesus Christ, highlighting his descent from King David and Abraham, and describes the angelic visitation to Joseph explaining the virgin birth of Jesus.
- Genealogy of Jesus:
- The passage begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage from Abraham through King David and down to Joseph, the husband of Mary.
- It highlights key figures in Israel’s history, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and others.
- Joseph’s Dilemma:
- The narrative shifts to Joseph, who discovers that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant before their marriage.
- Being a righteous man, Joseph initially plans to divorce Mary quietly to avoid public disgrace.
- The Angel’s Visit:
- An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him not to fear taking Mary as his wife, as the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
- The angel instructs Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means “the Lord saves,” for He will save His people from their sins.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy:
- Matthew explains that all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son, and he would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”
- Joseph’s Obedience:
- Joseph wakes from his dream and does as the angel of the Lord commanded him, taking Mary as his wife.
- He refrains from marital relations with her until she gives birth to her firstborn son, whom they name Jesus, in accordance with the angel’s instructions.
1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 1:4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 1:7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 1:8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 1:9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 1:10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 1:13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 1:14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 1:15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
1:17 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.
1:18 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.
1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
1:20 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.
1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 1:23 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.
1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.