NEW TESTAMENT / MATTHEW

Matthew 1.

The genealogy and birth of Jesus

The genealogy of Jesus Christ

The birth of Jesus Christ

World English Bible · Public domain · Classic text · Source
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Matthew 1

Study notes

THE MAIN POINT

This family tree is the opening argument for who Jesus is.

Understand the passage

Matthew starts with a family tree because he is making a claim: Jesus is the promised King from David’s family and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. The names trace the story through a kingdom, an exile, and ordinary people. Then the pattern changes: Jesus is born of Mary, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Where this fits

Matthew opens Israel’s story back up. Abraham points to the promise of blessing for the nations (Genesis 12). David points to the promised royal line (2 Samuel 7). Babylon marks the loss of the kingdom. Jesus is introduced as the answer to that unfinished story. These connections come from reading Matthew with the Old Testament.

People to know

Follow the passage

Read a section, then open its explanation.

1VERSES 1–6aThe promise

Abraham to David. A promised family grows into a royal line. Notice Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth in a list centered on fathers and sons.

2VERSES 6b–11The kingdom and the exile

David’s descendants rule, but kingship does not guarantee faithfulness. The line reaches deportation to Babylon.

3VERSES 12–17The long wait

The family continues after the exile. Most later names have no biography in Scripture. Matthew groups the story in three sets of fourteen.

4VERSES 18–25The promised Son

The birth is attributed to the Holy Spirit. Joseph obeys, receives Mary as his wife, and gives the child the name Jesus.

How this connects

Passagewell study explanation · Scripture references above

FOR REFLECTION

Where do I find it hardest to trust God across a long, unfinished stretch of the story?

References and source links are included with the notes.