October 25th 2026 Matthew ch 1
The Genealogy of Christ. 1-17. We tend to skip these verses, but this week just look at what they are forThis family line from Abraham to Jesus, proceeding through the kings of the Davidic house, and is clearly intended to present the claim of Jesus to the throne of David. Although the throne had been vacant for nearly six centuries, no one could expect serious consideration by the Jews as the Messiah unless he could prove his royal descent. (Lk 3:23-38 presents another genealogy, apparently Mary's, to show the actual blood descent of Jesus, which was also from the Davidic family.) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. V 1. The book of the generation. A Hebrew expression variously understood as the title of the whole Gospel of Matthew, the first two chapters, or the first seventeen verses. A similar expression in Gen 5 v 1 is broad enough to include both genealogy and the narrative that is interwoven (Gen 5: 1-6:8). Jesus is the historical name; Christ (the equivalent of the Heb. Messiah, "anointed one") is the title of his office. The two names were not generally used together as a proper name until after the Ascension. Son of David and son of Abraham relate Jesus to the Messianic promises (Gen 12:3; 13:15; 22:18; II Sam 7:12,13; Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas (Judah) and his brethren;The list begins with Abraham, the father of the race to which Matthew was particularly writing, and the first one to whom the Messianic promise was given. Judah and his brethren. Although the line of descent came through Judah (Gen 49: 10), all the patriarchs were heirs of the Messianic promise. v 3 And Judas (Judah) begat Phares and Zara of Thamar ( Tamar); and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; v 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; v 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab (Rahab) ; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; v 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; (Bathsheba) It is unusual for Ladies to be mentioned but here in the Genealogy are 4 Tamar see Gen 38 , Ruth, Rahab and Bathsheba. 2 were Gentiles Rahab and Ruth 3 had moral blots in their lives Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba In this it shows the Grace of God in the Great Plan of events to save Sinners
Yet four women are listed here (though the descent was through the man in each case).
The repetition of the title David the king emphasizes the royal character of this genealogy.
V 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
V 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
V 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
V 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
V 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
These verses name kings, all of whom are also listed in 1 Chr 3:10-16.
After Joram, Matthew omits the names of Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, and after Josiah he omits Jehoiakim. The omissions are doubtless due to his arbitrary shortening of the list to give three groups of fourteen, perhaps as an aid to the memory.
Son and begat indicate direct descent, but not necessarily immediate descent. Jechonias, son of Jehoiakim and grandson of Josiah, was regarded by the Jews in exile as their last legitimate king; and Ezekiel's prophecies are dated from him, although Zedekiah, his uncle, followed him as king.
V 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
V 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
V 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
V 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
V 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Salathiel (or Shealtiel) is named as the son of Jechonias (cf. I Chr 3: 17). This does not contradict Jer 22:28-30, for the predicted childlessness referred to reigning children.
(The naming of Salathiel as the son of Neri in Lk 3:27 is better understood of different persons, rather than the result of levirate marriage.) From this point the names, which do not appear in the OT, must have been derived from Joseph's family records. You would expect descendants of royalty to preserve their lineage.
Of Joseph it is not said that he "begat" Jesus, a marked change from the preceding expressions, and an obvious indication of the virgin birth, which Matthew subsequently explains.
This genealogy makes him Christ's legal father because he was Mary's husband, but nothing more.
V 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.
42 generations
Fourteen generations. This three fold grouping, arbitrarily constructed (as indicated by omissions), must have been intended as an arrangement for convenience.
The three periods of national history are covered - theocracy, monarchy, hierarchy.
Matthew's computation presents a problem because he lists only Forty-one names.
Some would solve it by counting David twice, as the end of the first group and the first name in the second (Matthew himself seems to do this; v. 17). Others count the Captivity as one item in the list.
The problem is of no importance
May the Lord bless you as you consider these things
News from the Church New dates
4th November..………Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
18th November ……. Knit and Natter group, all welcome, bring your own project or come to learn a
new one. Starts at 1 pm, come along any time after that
ANSWERS TO 18th October QUESTIONS
1) A wise saying 2) Mainly Solomon 3) 1015 – 975 BC 4) Fear of the Lord 5) Ant 6) (a)A proud look,(b) a lying tongue,(c) hands that shed innocent blood, (d) A heart that imagines wickedness, (e) feet that are swift to run to mischief , (f) a false witness, (g) and a person who sows discord among people
7) an abomination to the lord 8) It is like medicine to you 9) They will have sorrows, woes, wounds, contentions and red eyes 10) he is like one that takes a dog by the ears 11) they bring their mother to shame 12) He flees 13) Praise the wicked 14) His own conceit 15) They shall be saved 16) Plenty of bread
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Ecclesiastes
1 What does Ecclesiastes mean?
2 Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
3 How many books in the Bible did Solomon write?
4 What is meant by “the keepers of the house shall tremble”?
5 What does it mean by “those that look out of the windows be darkened”?
6 What is meant by “the doors shall be shut in the streets”?
7 What does he mean by “the almond tree shall flourish”?
8 What does Solomon say is the whole duty of man?
9 What does Solomon say about everything?
10 What does he say about time?
11 What does he say about God’s creation?
12 Where does he say we must keep our foot?
13 What does he say about the sleep of a labouring man?
14 Where do you find “vanity of vanities all is vanity” ?
15 What is a good name better than?
16 Where does anger rest?
God Bless