The big picture
Matthew 1 opens in verse 1 with “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;”, and closes in verse 25 with “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name…” Repeated or prominent terms include begat, David, JESUS, Joseph, Babylon. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Matthew · King James Version · 25Matthew 1:1-7
1–7: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of…
Matthew 1:1–7 opens with “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” and reaches “And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A written genealogy and family-line visual connecting Abraham, David, exile, and Jesus without placing generations in one literal gathering; Joseph considering what to do, receiving the angelic message in a dream, and taking Mary as his wife, with particular weight carried by begat, David, Abia.
Matthew 1:1-7
King James Version1The 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;
7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
Matthew 1:8-14
8–14: Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
Matthew 1:8–14 opens with “And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;” and reaches “And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A written genealogy and family-line visual connecting Abraham, David, exile, and Jesus without placing generations in one literal gathering; Joseph considering what to do, receiving the angelic message in a dream, and taking Mary as his wife, with particular weight carried by begat, Abiud, Achaz.
Matthew 1:8-14
King James Version8And 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;
Matthew 1:15-21
15–21: Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
Matthew 1:15–21 opens with “And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;” and reaches “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A written genealogy and family-line visual connecting Abraham, David, exile, and Jesus without placing generations in one literal gathering; Joseph considering what to do, receiving the angelic message in a dream, and taking Mary as his wife, with particular weight carried by begat, generations, Joseph.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;” Naming Eleazar and Matthan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Naming Christ and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Matthew 1:15-21
King James Version15And 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.
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
22–25: All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the…
Matthew 1:22–25 opens with “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet…” and reaches “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A written genealogy and family-line visual connecting Abraham, David, exile, and Jesus without placing generations in one literal gathering; Joseph considering what to do, receiving the angelic message in a dream, and taking Mary as his wife, with particular weight carried by Lord, name, angel.
Matthew 1:22-25
King James Version22Now 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
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.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- begat
- became the father of
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.