Matthew 1 (KJV)

Matthew 1:1–17

The family line of Jesus

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 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.

Matthew opens with a family tree tracing Jesus' ancestry from Abraham, through King David and the kings of Judah, through the exile to Babylon, down to Joseph, the husband of Mary.

What does this mean?

'Christ' is a title, not a surname: the Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah', both meaning 'anointed one', used of the king many Jews expected from David's family. The KJV's 'begat' means 'became the father of'. Verse 16 breaks the pattern: it says Jesus was born of Mary, rather than that Joseph became his father, preparing for the next passage.

Historical context

Genealogies established identity, inheritance and standing. Matthew's list differs from Luke's (Luke 3) between David and Joseph, and the two have been explained in various ways since ancient times. Matthew also leaves out several kings known from 1–2 Kings and 1 Chronicles, so the three sets of fourteen are a deliberate arrangement rather than a complete record. Some scholars note that the Hebrew letters of David's name add up to fourteen.

Why does it matter?

Four women besides Mary are named: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and 'the wife of Uriah' (Bathsheba). Interpreters often observe that several were foreigners or had irregular unions, perhaps anticipating Mary's situation and the Gospel's reach beyond Israel.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Matthew 1:18–25

Joseph and the birth of Jesus

Now 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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But 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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, 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. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Mary, engaged to Joseph, is found to be pregnant. Joseph plans to end the engagement quietly, but an angel in a dream tells him the child is from the Holy Spirit, and that he should marry her and name the boy Jesus. Joseph obeys.

Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled

Matthew 1:22–23 quotes Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 · KJV

Isaiah first spoke this sign to King Ahaz in the 8th century BC. The Hebrew word ('almah) means a young woman; the Greek translation Matthew follows reads 'virgin' (parthenos). Christians have traditionally read the verse as a prophecy of Jesus' birth; many scholars read it first in its original setting.

What does this mean?

KJV 'espoused' means engaged; 'put her away privily' means divorce her quietly. 'Jesus' is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), usually understood as 'the LORD saves', which explains the angel's words. 'Holy Ghost' (KJV) and 'Holy Spirit' (WEB) translate the same term.

Historical context

Jewish betrothal was a binding agreement, usually lasting some months before the wife moved into her husband's home; ending it required a formal divorce. Matthew tells the story from Joseph's side; Luke's birth narrative centres on Mary.

Why does it matter?

Christians have historically confessed that Jesus was conceived without a human father; some modern scholars read the birth stories as theological narrative. The note that Joseph did not 'know' her until the birth is read differently: many Protestants take it to imply later marital relations, while Catholic and Orthodox tradition holds that Mary remained a virgin. 'God with us' frames the Gospel, which ends with Jesus promising to be with his followers always (28:20).

Editorial notes, not scripture.