The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
Study note
Matthew begins with a carefully structured genealogy divided into three sets of fourteen generations, linking Jesus to Abraham and David. This establishes Jesus' legal right to the throne of Israel and his identity as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The inclusion of four women -- Thamar, Rachab, Ruth, and Bathsheba -- reveals God's grace working through unexpected people and circumstances.
1 This is the family history of Jesus Christ. He came from the line of David, who came from the line of Abraham. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob. Jacob had sons named Judas and his brothers. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 Judas and Thamar had two sons, Phares and Zara. Phares had a son named Esrom, and Esrom had a son named Aram. And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 Aram had a son named Aminadab. Aminadab had a son named Naasson. Naasson had a son named Salmon. And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 Salmon and Rachab had a son named Booz. Booz and Ruth had a son named Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 Jesse had a son named David, who became king. King David and the woman who had been married to Urias had a son named Solomon. And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7 Solomon had a son named Roboam. Roboam had a son named Abia. Abia had a son named Asa. And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8 Asa had a son named Josaphat. Josaphat had a son named Joram. Joram had a son named Ozias. And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 Ozias had a son named Joatham. Joatham had a son named Achaz. Achaz had a son named Ezekias. And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 Ezekias had a son named Manasses. Manasses had a son named Amon. Amon had a son named Josias. And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11 Josias had sons named Jechonias and his brothers. This was around the time when the people were taken away to Babylon as prisoners. And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 After the people were taken to Babylon, Jechonias had a son named Salathiel. Salathiel had a son named Zorobabel. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 Zorobabel had a son named Abiud. Abiud had a son named Eliakim. Eliakim had a son named Azor. And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 Azor had a son named Sadoc. Sadoc had a son named Achim. Achim had a son named Eliud. And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 Eliud had a son named Eleazar. Eleazar had a son named Matthan. Matthan had a son named Jacob. And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 Jacob had a son named Joseph, who married Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, the one known as Christ. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 If you count the generations, there are fourteen from Abraham to David. There are another fourteen from David to when the people were taken to Babylon. And there are fourteen more from that time all the way to 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.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Study note
The account of Jesus' birth centers on Joseph's dilemma and his obedient response to divine revelation. An angel appears in a dream to assure Joseph that Mary's child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of the virgin birth. The name Jesus, meaning 'he will save,' and Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us,' together capture the dual nature of Christ's mission and identity.
18 Here is how Jesus Christ came to be born: His mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph. But before their wedding day, it became clear that she was going to have a baby through the power of the Holy Spirit. 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.
19 Now Joseph was a good and fair man. He did not want to shame Mary in front of everyone, so he quietly made plans to break off the engagement. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 While Joseph was still thinking about what to do, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby growing inside her was placed there by the Holy Spirit." 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.
21 "She is going to have a boy, and you must give him the name JESUS. He will be called that because he will rescue his people from their sins." And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 All of this took place to bring about what the Lord had said long ago through the prophet: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 "Pay attention! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son. They will name him Emmanuel," and that name means "God with us." 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.
24 When Joseph woke up, he obeyed the angel right away. He married Mary and took her as his wife. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 But he did not sleep with her as her husband until after she gave birth to her firstborn son. Joseph named the baby JESUS. And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.