Bible Commentaries
Matthew 1

Verse 1

Generation ; a record of the persons from whom, as a man, Jesus Christ descended. Records like this, and that in the third chapter of Luke, were carefully kept by the Jews, and showed that Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David, according to the predictions of the prophets and the promises of God in the Old Testament; and thus they exhibit evidence that he is the true Messiah, the Saviour of men.

Verse 8

Jordan begat Ozias ; between Joram and Ozias-the Uzziah of the Hebrew-three kings are omitted, namesly, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah. See note of Matthew 1:17 .

Verse 11

Josias begat Jechonias ; here Eliakim, son of Josiah and father of Jechonias, is omitted. See note on Matthew 1:17 .

Verse 16

Christ ; the meaning of the word Christ is, Anointed. Persons who were set apart and consecrated to a public office under the Old Testament were, in many cases, anointed with oil, in token of their being endued by the Holy Spirit to fit them for their duties. So Christ having been appointed and consecrated of the Father to the office of Redeemer, is called in Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, the Messiah; in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the Christ; and in English, the Anointed; all meaning the same thing: one set apart of God to the office of Redeemer, and divinely qualified for its fulfilment.

Verse 17

Fourteen generations ; the equality of the numbers-fourteen generations thrice repeated-is made out by certain omissions. See notes on Matthew 1:8 ; Matthew 1:11 . This squaring of numbers in the construction of genealogical tables seems to have been a common expedient for the assistance of the memory. In determining, however, the names to be omitted, the framers of these tables were doubtless guided by particular reasons. Thus some suppose that the three kings, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, were left out of the Jewish tables on account of their connection, through Athaliah, with the accursed house of Ahab.

Verse 18

On this wise ; after this manner.

Espoused to Joseph ; engaged to be married to him.

Before ; before they were actually married.

Of the Holy Ghost ; the conception of Jesus Christ was miraculous, and effected by the power of God, according to his declaration, "A body hast thou prepared me." Hebrews 10:5 . Though the fulfilment of the promises of God may be long delayed, in due time they will be accomplished. Implicit faith in God’s word, and patient waiting for its fulfilment, are wise; for though heaven and earth pass away, his word will not pass away.

Verse 19

A public example ; not willing to have her punished according to the law. Deuteronomy 22:21 Put her away privily , by writing a bill of divorcement, according to Deuteronomy 24:1 .

Verse 20

Son ; descendant of David. Kindness, conscientiousness, and a disposition to do right, with a calm, attentive consideration of the whole subject, in a case of difficulty, are a good preparation for learning the will of God concerning it.

Verse 21

Jesus ; Jesus is the same name as Joshua, or, as it is written by some of the later Hebrew writers, Jeshua. It signifies the salvation of Jehovah .

Save ; deliver from the pollution, power, guilt, condemnation, and punishment of sin.

Verse 22

Fulfilled ; the birth of Jesus was in fulfilment of a promise of God, by the prophet Isaiah, uttered more than seven hundred years before. Isaiah 7:14 . God in the Old Testament spoke by his prophets, and what they then uttered was the testimony of God. So when they wrote what he directed them, it was the testimony of God; hence, their writings are called by the Holy Ghost, "the oracles of God." Romans 3:2 1 Peter 1:2

Verse 23

Emmanuel ; a proper title for Jesus Christ, because he was God as well as man, and dwelt among the sons of men.

Verse 24

To follow the directions of God is safe, useful, and blessed.