The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1

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For this commentary, the main verse at the top of each commentary will be from the NKJV. However, at the beginning of the body of each commentary, a personal (literal) translation will be provided as well. This personal translation will be used for the analysis of the commentary.

“Scroll: Genealogy Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham” (CG).

The book of Matthew begins with a genealogical record of the lineage of Jesus Christ. This is something that is found throughout the Old Testament as well. Genealogies were meticulously kept by the Hebrew scribes, ensuring that the people were recorded according to their family lines, whether in the nation of Israel or – at times – had a bearing on the nation (e.g., see Genesis 5:1, Genesis 25:12, Genesis 36:1, Genesis 46:8, etc.).

Genealogies were kept, thus ensuring those of the nation were eligible for inclusion in the society (Numbers 1:17-19, etc.), entitled to certain inheritances (Numbers 26:33, etc.), authorized for certain duties (Numbers 3:17, etc.), restricted from various rights or entitlements (Deuteronomy 23:2), etc.

In the case of Israel’s Messiah, certain requirements were necessary. He was to be of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), of Isaac (Genesis 17:19), of Jacob (Genesis 25:23), of Judah (Genesis 49:10), and of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Above all other reasons, the maintaining of the genealogical records from Adam until the coming of Christ were meticulously kept, ensuring to us that the Messiah could be absolutely identified when He appeared.

So sure is this, that after His coming, the genealogical records of Israel were destroyed when the temple was burned in AD70. As this is so, the only source for the genealogies of the nation and the world are maintained in the pages of the Bible. And the full genealogical record of only one Jew remains to this day, Jesus Christ.

Understanding this, and because His genealogy is recorded in the pages of Scripture, He alone can be identified as Israel’s Messiah. No other person before or after can make the absolute claim, directly from Scripture, that Jesus can.

Indeed, apart from this genealogy, prophecies were uttered as recorded in Scripture identifying the timing of His coming, the things that He would do, and the events that would happen to Him. The fulfillment of those prophecies is carefully recorded in the pages of the New Testament to definitively identify this One individual as bearing the right to the claim of being Israel’s Messiah.

In Matthew’s genealogy, he begins with, “Scroll.” The Greek word is biblos, “Properly, the inner bark of the papyrus plant, i.e. (by implication) a sheet or scroll of writing – book” (Strong’s). Matthew was making a concerted effort of compiling the genealogy of Jesus in order to ensure that the record was permanently maintained.

Surely, this was inspired by the Holy Spirit to confirm that when all other Jewish records perished, there would be this and Luke’s written account to safeguard – for all subsequent generations – the truth that Jesus did, in fact, descend from those who were given the promises in past times.

Matthew, understanding intimately who Jesus is, then began his recorded scroll with the words, “Genealogy Jesus Christ.”

Matthew was faithfully making a record as so many before him had faithfully done. In this case, the focus is solely on one Person, Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua, Greek: Iésous). The name means Salvation. As noted in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – “Jesus ื™ึฐื”ื•ืฉึปืืขึท [Yehoshua] and according to a later form, ื™ึตืฉืื•ึผืขึท [Yeshua].” This later form was a common name at the time. However, Matthew continues with “Christ.”

The Greek word is christos. The word has the same meaning as the Hebrew word mashiakh, Messiah. Both mean Anointed One. The anointing referred to does not necessarily speak of the coming Messiah. For example, Cyrus, King of Persia, was called mashiakh in Isaiah 45:1. However, in Matthew’s account, he is specifically noting that Jesus is the true promised Messiah of Israel, the Christ of the world. To further establish this, he next records “Son of David.”

It is a reference, as will continue to be seen in this record, to David, King of Israel. His name means Beloved. Matthew is purposefully tying Jesus into the genealogy of King David to begin his narrative in order to establish that Jesus is fully entitled to the rights of the Davidic throne as promised in 2 Samuel 7, referenced above. From there, he next records “Son of Abraham.”

The meaning of Abraham is debated. In Genesis 17:5, it says –

“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”

Though not all agree, his name is said to mean Father of a Multitude or something similar.

Again, Matthew returns to a specific figure from Israel’s past to ensure that the David who was first referred to is the same David who descended from Abraham. It is Abraham who received the promise given by God in Genesis 22:18, also referenced above.

With this overall genealogy set, Matthew will “fill in the blanks” between these three in a unique way, demonstrating a wisdom that was prompted by the superintending guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Life application: When the disciples were disheartened and thought that all was lost because of the crucifixion of Jesus their Lord, they were gathered together. At that time, just after hearing from two men who had seen the risen Lord, Luke records these words –

“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’” Luke 24:36-39

“Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” The words speak to us today. Why should we wonder if God is there? Why should we worry that things are out of control? Why should we be dispirited, disheartened, or dismayed as the world spins into chaos around us? And why should we doubt whether God is in control?

One of the main reasons for the word of God is to ensure that we know that He has a plan, that it has been meticulously carried out since the very beginning, and that He will bring us safely to Himself because of what He has done.

The carefully recorded words of Matthew are a part of that book, and they should fill us with the most joyous hope that when we trust in Jesus, we have trusted in the fullness of God’s provision for making that restoration possible. We don’t need to wonder, worry, or wobble in our faith. We also do not need signs or wonders to ensure to us that God is there with us.

Rather, God has given us His word and He asks us to, by faith, accept that it is exactly what it is presented as. We are told by Paul that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Open your ears and listen. Open your hearts and receive. Open your minds and think! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! He is God’s provision. He is the Messiah of Israel and the Christ of the nations.

Please pursue Him from His word each day and every day of your life. And please continue to join us as we analyze the book of Matthew for the next 2.94 years. We know you will be blessed as you do.

Lord God, help us to spend our time wisely. May we carefully and meticulously research Your word so that our step in faith is not one into a dark tunnel, but one that is directly into Your revealed light. Your word, O God, is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. May we be willing to use it as such. And may doubts no longer arise in our hearts as we contemplate Your goodness in the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.