Matthew Chapter 1 – Commentary and Explanation
When you open up the New Testament for the first time, Matthew greets you right away. And not with some thrilling action scene or sudden miracle. No. He begins with a list of names. Honestly, for many of us, it can feel a little dry at first glance. But the thing is—those names are not just filler. They carry a weight of history, covenant, and promises fulfilled.
Matthew, being a tax collector turned follower of Jesus, was very particular in what he included. And here, in Chapter 1, he’s building a bridge from the Old Testament into the New. He’s basically saying—“Hey, this Jesus I’m telling you about… He’s the real deal. The Messiah. And here’s the proof.”
1. The Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1–17)
The chapter opens:
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
Right there—boom—Matthew sets the tone. These two titles aren’t random. Son of David means Jesus is in the royal line of Israel’s greatest king. It’s a clear signal to the Jewish audience: Messiah credentials checked. Son of Abraham ties Him back to the covenant God made with Abraham—that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
Now, the genealogy is split into three sets of fourteen generations:
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From Abraham to David.
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From David to the exile in Babylon.
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From the exile to Christ.
Was it literally every single generation? Probably not. It was common in Jewish genealogy to skip names for the sake of symmetry or memorization. Matthew even seems to be going for a numerical pattern—scholars note that the Hebrew value for “David” (דוד) equals 14. A subtle but clever way of saying—Jesus is the rightful King.
Why the Genealogy Matters
Some people might think, “So what if He’s from David’s line?” But for the Jewish people of Matthew’s time, this was non-negotiable. If Jesus didn’t meet that requirement, He couldn’t be Messiah. God had promised David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that his throne would be established forever. And Isaiah 11:1 prophesied a shoot coming from Jesse (David’s father).
Also, Matthew includes women in the list—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “the wife of Uriah” (Bathsheba). That’s not typical for Jewish genealogies. And these women? They had stories that weren’t exactly squeaky clean by societal standards. Tamar posed as a prostitute to get justice. Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho. Ruth was a Moabite (a foreigner). Bathsheba had an affair with David.
Why mention them? Because Matthew is showing that God’s plan is full of grace. Jesus came through a line that included outsiders, sinners, and broken stories. In other words—if you think God can’t work through your mess, think again.
The Babylonian Exile Mention
Matthew points out the exile as a key turning point. It was the lowest moment in Israel’s national story. Kings failed, people were scattered, promises felt broken. But here’s the point—God didn’t abandon His plan. The line kept going. The promise stayed alive.
That’s important for us too. Sometimes it looks like the story’s over, the chapter’s closed, and nothing good is coming. But God’s covenant work keeps moving forward, even in seasons of exile.
2. The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18–25)
After the genealogy, Matthew moves right into how Jesus was born. And he doesn’t spend time on shepherds or mangers yet—that’s Luke’s style. Matthew’s angle focuses on Joseph and the fulfillment of prophecy.
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows…"
Mary was engaged to Joseph. Engagement in Jewish culture was much more binding than ours today—it was a legal agreement. You didn’t just “call it off” casually. Then Joseph finds out Mary is pregnant. And he knows he’s not the father.
Joseph’s Dilemma
The Bible says Joseph was a righteous man, but also unwilling to disgrace Mary publicly. He could have exposed her and had her punished, but instead he planned to divorce her quietly. That says a lot about his character. He wasn’t bitter. He wasn’t out for revenge. He was merciful even in heartbreak.
Then—an angel appears in a dream.
The Angel’s Message
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
Notice—again—“son of David.” The angel is reminding Joseph of his royal lineage. This child will fulfill promises. And Joseph is told the child’s name—Jesus—which means “The Lord saves.”
Matthew immediately connects this to Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—meaning God with us. That’s not just a pretty title. It’s the heart of the gospel. God didn’t stay distant. He stepped into our world.
Joseph’s Response
Joseph wakes up and does exactly what the angel commanded. He takes Mary as his wife but doesn’t consummate the marriage until after Jesus is born. That detail is important—it leaves no question about the virgin birth.
Themes and Takeaways from Matthew 1
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God’s promises are precise – Every detail in that genealogy points to prophecy fulfillment. Nothing in God’s plan is random.
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Grace runs through the story – Outsiders and sinners are part of Jesus’ family tree. That’s deliberate.
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Obedience matters – Joseph’s quiet, decisive obedience shaped history. Sometimes faith looks like simply saying “yes” and doing the hard thing.
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God is with us – Immanuel isn’t just a Christmas word. It’s a reality for every season.
A Personal Reflection
If you’ve ever skipped over genealogies in the Bible, you’re not alone. I used to skim them too, until I realized—they’re like a map of God’s faithfulness. They show the slow, steady way God works over centuries, through flawed people, and yet still hits every promise He made.
Matthew 1 also challenges me about obedience. Joseph could have said, “Nope, too messy, too risky.” But instead, he trusted God’s word enough to step into a situation that probably raised a lot of eyebrows in Nazareth. Following God often looks like that—people won’t always get it, but you obey anyway.
And then there’s that name—Immanuel. God with us. Not just in church. Not just in our “holy” moments. But with us in traffic, at work, when we’re anxious at night, when we’re celebrating, when we’re grieving. He’s not a far-off idea. He’s here.
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