Chapter 1
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Scripture
KJV1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17So 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.
18Now 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.
19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20But 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.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23Behold, 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.
24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
“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.”
Overview
Matthew opens his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph, establishing His legal right to the throne of Israel. The chapter then recounts the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary, with an angel assuring Joseph that the child is conceived of the Holy Ghost and shall save His people from their sins.
Key Themes
The Royal Lineage of Christ
The genealogy traces Jesus' legal descent through the kingly line of David, establishing His rightful claim to the throne of Israel as the promised Messiah.
The Virgin Birth
Mary conceives by the Holy Ghost, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and demonstrating that salvation originates entirely from God's supernatural intervention.
God With Us
The name Emmanuel — meaning 'God with us' — reveals that in Jesus, God Himself has entered human history to dwell among His people.
Study Questions
Why does Matthew begin his Gospel with a genealogy, and what does this tell us about the audience he is writing to?
What is the significance of the four women mentioned in Jesus' genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba), and what does their inclusion reveal about God's grace?
How does Joseph's response to the angel's message demonstrate both righteousness and faith?
What does the name 'Jesus' (meaning 'He shall save His people from their sins') teach us about the primary purpose of Christ's coming?
How does the title 'Emmanuel — God with us' shape your understanding of who Jesus is and what His presence means for believers today?
Connection to Christ
Matthew 1 establishes Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the son of David and son of Abraham, in whom all of God's covenant promises converge. His virgin birth reveals that He is both fully human and fully divine — Emmanuel, God with us — who came not merely to teach or rule, but to save His people from their sins.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Matthew 1. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?