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Matthew 1

25 verses

TL;DR

Matthew 1 presents the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to David, then from David to the Babylonian exile, and finally to Christ, concluding with the virgin birth narrative.

Summary

Matthew 1 begins with a lineage tracing Jesus back to Abraham, highlighting the fulfillment of God’s promise to establish a king through David. The genealogy is grouped in three sections of fourteen generations each, underscoring the orderly flow from Abraham to David, from David to the exile, and from the exile to Jesus. After the line, the narrative shifts to the circumstances of Jesus’ birth: Mary’s betrothal to Joseph, her conception by the Holy Ghost, and Joseph’s initial hesitation. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him to accept Mary and naming the child Jesus, the savior of his people. The passage concludes with the fulfillment of the prophetic promise of a virgin bearing a son named Emmanuel, and Joseph’s obedience following the angelic instruction.

Outline
  1. Three generations of fourteen in Matthew’s genealogy
  2. The virgin birth and Joseph’s angelic encounter
  3. Fulfillment of prophetic Scripture
Themes
Divine providence and fulfillment of promiseThe significance of lineageThe role of faith and obedience
Keywords
genealogyAbrahamDavidBabylonHoly Ghostvirgin birthJesusChristEmmanuelprophecy
People
AbrahamIsaacJacobJudasPharesZaraEsromAramAminadabNaassonSalmonBoazRachabRuthObedJesseDavidSolomonRoboamAbijahAsaJosaphatJoramOziasJoathamAchazEzekiasManassehAmonJosiahJeconiahZorobabelAbiudEliakimAzorSadocAchimEliudEleazarMatthanJacobJosephMaryJesus
Places
Babylon
Things
Holy GhostVirginChristEmmanuel
Key Verses
  • Matthew 1:17: Illustrates the structure of the genealogical record in three groups of fourteen generations.
  • Matthew 1:18: Introduces the supernatural conception of Jesus.
  • Matthew 1:23: Connects the narrative to the prophetic words of Isaiah, fulfilling the promise of Emmanuel.
Questions
  • What does the tripartite structure of fourteen generations signify in Matthew’s genealogy?
  • How does the angel’s message to Joseph shape our understanding of faith and obedience?
  • In what ways does Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth fulfill the Old Testament prophecy?
  • What theological implications arise from emphasizing Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and David?
  • How might the title “Emmanuel” inform Christian conceptions of Jesus’ nature?
Sentiment

neutral
The text presents historical and theological facts without overt emotional tone.