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← Matthew
Ch. 1 of 282 →

Christianity

Matthew 1Genealogy and Virgin Birth

Summary

Matthew 1 opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus from Abraham through King David and the Babylonian exile to Joseph, arranged in three sets of fourteen generations. It then tells how Mary was found to be with child before she and Joseph came together. An angel tells Joseph in a dream to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus. Matthew links the birth to Isaiah 7:14 and the name Emmanuel, meaning God with us.

Key verse

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

Themes

  • Genealogy of Jesus
  • Virgin Birth
  • Joseph's Obedience
  • Emmanuel

Text

1

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

7

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

8

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

15

And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17

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.

18

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

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

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

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23

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

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

  • Islam

    Surah Maryam (19): The Annunciation to Mary

    The Quran also affirms that Mary conceived Jesus with no man touching her (19:20 to 21). Joseph does not appear, the message comes to Mary herself, and 19:35 states that it does not befit God to take a son.

  • Islam

    Surah Al Imran (3): Be, and It Is

    In 3:45 to 47 angels give Mary glad tidings of a word from God named the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, and God creates by saying Be. Verse 3:59 compares Jesus's creation to Adam's, made without a father.

  • Judaism

    Isaiah 7: The Sign of the Young Woman

    Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14 in its Greek form, which reads virgin. The Hebrew word almah means young woman, and Jewish interpretation reads the sign as addressed to King Ahaz in his own day.

Questions about Matthew 1

Why does Matthew's genealogy differ from Luke's?

Matthew traces Jesus's line from Abraham forward through Solomon to Joseph, while Luke 3 runs backward to Adam through David's son Nathan. Ancient and modern interpreters have proposed explanations, such as one list following Mary's line or legal adoption, but no single answer is agreed.

What does Emmanuel mean?

Matthew 1:23 explains that Emmanuel means God with us. The name comes from Isaiah 7:14, which Matthew reads as a prophecy of Jesus's birth.

Which women are named in Matthew's genealogy?

Besides Mary, Matthew names Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba). Commentators often note that several of them were foreigners or had irregular unions, which may prepare readers for Mary's unusual pregnancy.