Matthew: Chapter 1 | New to His Word

The big picture

Matthew opens with the family line of Jesus Christ, the promised one who will save his people. That line reaches through David, Israel's king, to Abraham, the people's forefather. It includes royal years and exile before reaching Joseph, the man pledged to Mary in marriage. Mary's pregnancy comes through the Holy Ghost, God's Spirit. Joseph must decide how to respond until a dream gives him the child's origin, name, and saving purpose.

In this chapter

The Family Line Reaches Abraham and David Matthew 1:1-6
Matthew names Jesus as Christ, the promised anointed one, and links him with David and Abraham.
The Line Continues Through Exile to Joseph Matthew 1:7-17
Solomon’s line leads through later kings and their children.
Joseph Hears Why He Should Receive Mary Matthew 1:18-21
Mary is pledged to Joseph but becomes pregnant before they live together.
Joseph Obeys and Names the Child Matthew 1:22-25
Matthew says this fulfils God's word through a prophet.

Central truth

Jesus belongs within Israel’s long line of promise, yet his birth comes through God’s Spirit and his name announces rescue from sin.

Matthew 1: Jesus’ Family Line and Birth Are Introduced

Scripture beside the summary

Matthew · King James Version · 25

Matthew 1:1-6

The Family Line Reaches Abraham and David

Matthew names Jesus as Christ, the promised anointed one, and links him with David and Abraham. The list moves through generations from the forefather to the king. Alongside fathers, it names women through whom the line continues, including Thamar, Rachab, and Ruth, ancestors within this family. The line reaches Jesse, David's father, then David's son Solomon. Solomon's mother is identified through her earlier marriage to Urias rather than by her own name. The list does not call every person good. It gives Jesus a place in a real family, with women, kings, and bonds marked by wrong as well as good.

In everyday life

The family researcher unfolds a chart that records mothers, fathers, and earlier marriages rather than keeping only the most honoured surname. The links show how the present household belongs to a longer line. She preserves the awkward details instead of polishing them away. Matthew identifies the ancestry of the promised Christ, not only the roots of an ordinary family.

Notice

Matthew 1:6 David is explicitly called king, while Solomon's mother is linked to her earlier husband. Royal honour and a complicated family connection appear in the same entry.

Matthew 1:1-6

King James Version

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

Matthew 1:7-17

The Line Continues Through Exile to Joseph

Solomon’s line leads through later kings and their children. It reaches the time when the people were carried to Babylon, the land of exile, then continues after that loss. At its close, Jacob is named as Joseph's father. Joseph is identified as Mary's husband, and Jesus is said to be born from her. Matthew groups the genealogy into three sets of fourteen: from Abraham to David, from David to exile, and from exile to Christ. The three groups help the reader follow the names. Kings ruled, the people lost their land, and the line still led to Jesus.

In everyday life

A genealogy librarian sorts a long list of names into three groups. They mark life before a move, the time away, and the return. The headings show that a move did not end the family line. Each entry still has its place. Matthew's groups lead to Christ, not a list whose meaning comes from the filing system.

Notice

Matthew 1:16 The pattern changes at Joseph: he is called Mary's husband, and Jesus is born from her. That wording prepares for the explanation of the pregnancy that follows.

Matthew 1:7-17

King James Version

7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17So 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.

Matthew 1:18-21

Joseph Hears Why He Should Receive Mary

Mary is pledged to Joseph but becomes pregnant before they live together. Matthew says the child is from the Holy Ghost. Joseph, a man seeking to do right, does not want to expose her publicly and plans a private separation. While he considers this, God's angel appears in a dream. He is told not to fear taking Mary as his wife because the child comes from God's Spirit. She will bear a son, and Joseph must name him Jesus. The stated reason is his future work: he will save his people from their sins, not merely give the family a new heir.

In everyday life

A fiancé pauses before making a painful private decision when trustworthy new information changes his understanding of the person he intends to marry. He sets aside the prepared letter and listens before acting. His first conclusion no longer settles the matter. Joseph hears from an angel that the child comes from God's Spirit, not from human inquiry.

Notice

Matthew 1:21 The child's name is tied directly to saving his people from sin. His purpose is named before he teaches, heals, or acts in public.

Matthew 1:18-21

King James Version

18Now 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.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20But 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.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:22-25

Joseph Obeys and Names the Child

Matthew says this fulfils God's word through a prophet. A virgin will bear a son called Emmanuel. The name means God is with his people. Joseph wakes and follows the angel's command, receiving Mary as his wife. He does not have sexual relations with her before the birth and gives the child the commanded name. Christians differ over Mary's later married life. Here they agree that the birth is God's work. Joseph acts; no speech from him is recorded. He takes Mary home and names the son as he was told.

In everyday life

A guardian writes a child's name on the form that records his birth. He has taken on a task he did not expect. The quiet act puts his choice to care for the family into effect. No speech is needed to make it real. Joseph obeys God's command concerning the promised son, not an ordinary guardianship arrangement.

Notice

Matthew 1:24 Joseph acts on waking instead of waiting for another sign. The dream's instruction becomes a changed decision about Mary and the child entrusted to their household.

Matthew 1:22-25

King James Version

22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23Behold, 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.

24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Details worth noticing

25verses in this reading

4major movements

2verses with speech

The opening image

Matthew 1:1 begins with “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

Where the chapter turns

Matthew 1:17 forms a natural hinge: “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and…”

The final note

Matthew 1:25 leaves the reader with “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words begat, David, JESUS, Joseph, Babylon, Christ help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

KJV words made clear

begat: Became the father or ancestor of the next person named.
espoused: Bound by a marriage pledge before beginning life together.
privily: Privately, without making the matter a public spectacle.

Music and video connected to the passage

Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.