Matthew 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Matthew arranges the genealogy into three sets of fourteen, marking the great movements of Israel's story.
What Does Matthew 1:17 Mean?
Matthew steps back to show the shape of the list he has just given. He groups it into three spans of fourteen generations: from Abraham to David, from David to the exile, and from the exile to Christ.
The pattern is deliberate, charting Israel's story as a rising, a falling, and a restoring, all converging on Jesus. History is not a random drift but a measured movement under God's hand, and every era has been quietly bending toward the coming of the Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 1:17
What does Matthew 1:17 mean?
Matthew arranges the genealogy into three sets of fourteen, marking the great movements of Israel's story.