Matthew 1

Matthew 1:1

THe Book] The word doth not alwayes signifie, a large book, but oftentimes, a brief roll, or catalogue, or emuneration, as Jerem. 3. 8. a bill of divorce, Hebrew, a book. So the Jews did begin their genealogies, Genesis 5:1.

of the generation] Luke 3:23. Of the ancestours of our Saviour Christ successively: yet Genesis 5:1. it signifies the posteritie of the first Adam. This is not the title of the whole Book, but onely of the beginning of it. It may include not his ancestours onely, but also the manner of his conception and birth, which is likewise set down in this Chapter, verse 18, &c. and so it may be the title of the whole Chapter. Matthew purposing to write of the life of our Saviour, begins with his pedegree, because he knew the Jews stood much upon their genealogies.

of Jesus] The name given him by the angel, with the reason thereof, vers. 21. It signifies, a Saviour. It was sometimes given to others that were types of Christ, as to Joshua, who brought the people into Canaan, to Jehoshua the high priest, after the captivitie, and to divers others, as Acts 13:6. Colossians 4:11. but in a more peculiar manner it is given to Christ, who saves us from our sins.

Christ] It is all one with Messias, and signifies, anointed. It sets out unto us the king and priest of the church, for such were wont to be anointed.

the son] Herein Matthew differs from the other Evangelists. Mark begins with John Baptists ministry, who was the fore-runner of our Saviour. Luke, with the birth of John Baptist. John, with Christs divinitie. But this Evangelist, with his humanitie, ancestours, and birth.

of David] He names onely David and Abraham at first, because to these was the solemn promise made, that the Messias should come of their seed, Genesis 12:3. and 22. 18. 2 Samuel 7:12. Psalms 132:11. Acts 2:30. And to the one was promised a populous progeny, Genesis 15:5. and 22. 17. to the other, a stable kingdom, 2 Samuel 7:12-13. both which were eminently fulfilled in Christ. He names David first, because he was a king, and the Jews, who expected a temporall kingdom with the Messias, looked upon him principally, as the son of David, Chap. 9. 27. and 12. 23. and 15. 22. and 20. 30, 31. and 21. 9, 15. and 22. 42. Mark 11:10.

Luke 1:32. John 7:42. Also that ambiguity might be taken away: for if he had named Abraham first, and then David, men might have thought Abraham to have been the son of David. Lastly, that the genealogy might go on the more smoothly, and having once named Abraham, he might go on with him, not naming David between.

the son of Abraham] Which David was the son of Abraham: or, which Jesus Christ was the son of Abraham, as well as of David. Thus Matthew reckons up his genealogie, to shew, that he was the promised Messias, and to take away the scandall which the Jews had, because of the poverty of Mary his mother, and Joseph his supposed father.

Matthew 1:2

Abraham begat Isaac] Genesis 21:3. Matthew brings our Saviour downward from Abraham, for the comfort of the Jews, who drew their genealogies from him, because God had taken him and his seed into a peculiar covenant. Luke carries him upward unto Adam, for the comfort of the Gentiles, who were not lineally of the seed of Abraham.

Isaac begat Jacob] Genesis 25:26.

Jacob begat Judas] Genesis 29:35.

and his brethren] These are added, not that Christ came of them, but to shew, that he esteemed himself of their kinred, and that all the tribes were included in the covenant, as well as the tribe of Judah. For this reason is Zara also named, verse 3. yet Ishmael is not added to Isaac, though he were the first born, nor Esau to Jacob, although he were born at the same time, because these belonged not to the covenant.

Matthew 1:3

Judas begat Pharez] Genesis 38:27.

of Thamar] Christ vouchsafing to come of Thamar, Rahab, and Ruth the Moabitesse, shews, that he came to save great sinners, as well as small, Gentiles as well as Jews, Matthew 9:13. Ephesians 2:1. 1 Timothy 1:15. It may also be a part of his humiliation.

Pharez begat Ezrom] Rth 4:18. 1 Chronicles 2:15.

Matthew 1:4

Aram begat Aminadab] Of these to Jesse little is said in scripture, for either they lived in slavery in Egypt, or in trouble in the wildernesse, or in obscuritie in Canaan before the kingdom was setled.

Matthew 1:5

of Rachab] This is not mentioned in the old Testament, but seems to come as a true tradition from father to son, as Jannes and Jambres resisting Moses, 2 Tim. 3. 8. and Enochs prophecie, Jude v. 14. Some think Matthew had this out of the civill tables of genealogie, which the Jews kept exactly, vers. 15.

of Ruth] This shews that the Gentiles, that were not to be destroyed, as the Moabites, of whom Ruth came, Deuteronomy 2:9. might be saved by Christ: as the mentioning of Rahab of the seed of Canaan may import, that such as remained of those that were to be cut off, Deuteronomy 7:2. might also be saved by him.

Jesse] It seems he was of no great account, because David is called in contempt, The son of Jesse, 1 Samuel 20:27; 1 Samuel 20:30-31. 1 Kings 12:16. as Christ is called, The son of Joseph, Luke 4:22.

Matthew 1:6

Jesse begat David] 1 Samuel 16:1. and 1 Samuel 17:12. He was the youngest of Davids sons, yet Christ comes of him, to shew, that this line was not guided by naturall succession all along, but sometimes by Gods favour, preferring the younger before the elder, as Gen. 48. 14, 18, 19. This also might be a part of Christs humiliation.

the king] The first king in the line of our Saviour Christ, and whose kingdom should last long over Judah, but spiritually over the church, till the end of the world in Christ, Daniel 2:44. Luke 1:32-33. 1 Corinthians 15:24-25.

David the king begat Solomon] 2 Samuel 12:24. Christ succeeding great David, and wise Solomon, shews, that some great and wise ones may be saved by him, though not many, in comparison of others, 1 Corinthians 1:20. Most think, that the legall line of our Saviour is henceforth prosecuted by Matthew, as the naturall is by Luke, who makes him to come of Nathan, Luke 3:31. And that here he is reckoned as heir to Solomon in the kingdom, whose race some think failed at, before, or in the captivitie, though some think otherwise. See notes on Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 22:30. Others think the line to be naturall in either, but the one drawn down to Joseph, the other to Mary.

Matthew 1:7

Solomon begat Reboam] 1 Chron. 3. 10.

Matthew 1:8

Joam begat Ozias] Not immediately, for three kings came between, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, 1 Chron. 3. 11, 12. but mediately, as vers. 1. Luke 1. 5. and 13. 16. John 8. 33, 39. It is likely those three kings are omitted, because Matthew intended to keep within the compasse of fourteen generations here, as well as afterwards. And some think these three kings were omitted, rather then others, because Gods curse lay on Joram for marrying of Ahabs daughter, to the fourth generation, as his blessing was on Jehu for destroying Ahabs posteritie, 2 Kings 10:30.

Matthew 1:10

Ezekias begat Manasses] 2 Kings 20:21. 1 Chro. 3. 13.

Matthew 1:11

Josias begat Jechenias] Some read, Josias begat Jakim, and Jakim begat Jechonias.

and his brethren] Some conceive therefore, that by Jechonias here, must needs be meant Jhojakim, because Jechoniah had no brethren, and that his brethren are here mentioned, because two of them were kings, Jehoahaz, and Zedekiah: yet were they all noted for calamitie, to shew, that it was no strange thing to see the royall stock so low afterwards: yet Jechoniah is said to have a brother called Zedekiah, 1 Chronicles 3:16. which cannot be Zedekiah his uncle, that was king after him, for he is reckoned there, verse 15. as the son of Josiah.

about the time] Or, who lived in the time. For Josias was dead before, and so could not then beget children.

Matthew 1:12

Jechonias begat Salathiel] 1 Chron. 3. 16, 17. Salathiel is called the son of Neri, Luke 3. 27. but is said to be the son of Jechonias, because he succeeded him in authoritie, and it is hard to give a reason, why he should be said to be a meaner mans son, if he were a kings. Others conceive him to be the naturall son of Jechonias. See 1 Chron. 3. 17. and notes on Jere. 22 28, 30.

Salathiel begat zohabel] It is conceived to be that Zerubbabel, that reedified the temple, Ezra 5:2. He is said to be the son of Pedaiah, 1 Chronicles 3:19. Either this was another Zerubbabel, or else Salathiel died without children, and Pedaiah took his wife, and raised up seed to his brother, according to the law: and then he was the legall son of Salathiel, and the naturall son of Pedaiah.

Matthew 1:13

Zorobabel begat Abiud] Here the old Testament is silent, and neither Abiud, nor any of his posteritie, is mentioned, 1 Chron. 3. 19, &c. It seems the Evangelist had the rest insuing, either by tradition, or out of civill records. See on verse 5. or, by revelation.

Matthew 1:16

Jacob begat Joseph] It seems, that Joseph was the naturall son of Jacob, and the son of Eli by marrying Mary, Luke 3. 23. And this line is carried to Joseph, because womens genealogies were not reckoned, but included in their husbands. Yet Luke reckons Maries, that it might appear, that Christ came of Davids seed, though sometimes they married out of their tribes.

of whom] Of which Mary; for Christ was not the son of Joseph, verse 18.

Jesus, who is called Christ] See notes on verse 1. He was the Messias expected.

Matthew 1:17

all the generations] Or, descents. Marshalled here by the Evangelist in three ranks, before the kingdom, under it, after it. Some of lesse note are omitted, to make the number in each equall, 1 Chron. 3. 11, 12.

from Abraham to David] Reckoning them for two.

from David] Accounting him, and Josias in the number.

from the carrying away] Beginning with Josias, and ending with Joseph; or beginning with Jechonias, and ending with Christ.

Matthew 1:18

the birth] Luke 1. 27.

of Jesus Christ] See notes on verse 1.

was on this wise] Or, came thus to passe.

was espoused to Joseph] God would have her to be espoused for the safety and honour of Christ in his infancy, and the credit, and comfort of his mother.

before they came together] Had knowledge one of another, as verse 25. Or rather, to dwell together, for he had not yet taken her home, verse 20.

she was found with childe] It was perceived by Joseph, verse 19. that she was with childe. Gr. having in the womb.

of the Holy Ghost] This was not known to him, till afterwards, verse 20. she was not with childe of the substance of the Holy Ghost, but by his efficiencie and speciall work, Luke 1:35. So this particle is used, John 8:41; John 8:44; John 8:47. 1 John 3:8-9.

Matthew 1:19

Joseph her husband] So called, because he was betrothed to her. See Deuteronomy 22:24. Gen. 19. 8, 12. and 29. 21.

being a just man] A man of a good nature, and tender disposition.

and not willing] He was unwilling to take her, not knowing how she came to be with childe, yet not willing to put her away, publikely to shame her.

to put her away privily] To leave her to the disposing of her friends, and not to consummate the marriage.

Matthew 1:20

to take unto thee Mary thy wife] To take her home to thy house, as thy wife, who is already betrothed to thee.

that which is conceived in her] Or, bred: To wit, of her substance. And he saith, that, not he, because Christ took on him the nature, not the person of man.

is of the Holy Ghost] See on verse 18. As man he had no father, as God he had no mother, Hebrews 7:3.

Matthew 1:21

she shall bring forth a Son] Luke 1. 31.

for he shall] He is called Jesus, because he shall deliver us from our sins, which would condemn us. See on verse 1.

his people] Those that are redeemed by his death, and beleeve in him, and obey him, John 3:16. Hebrews 5:9.

Matthew 1:22

all this was done] Christ was thus miraculously conceived.

that it might be fulfilled] It came not by accident, but was foretold long ago.

of the Lord by the prophet] The holy scriptures then, though written by men, are the undoubted word of God, 2 Peter 1:21.

Matthew 1:23

Behold] Isaiah 7:14.

a virgin] There is in the Hebrew, in Isaiah, and in the Greek text here, an article added to point out the woman, and set her out plainly, as if you should say, that virgin, or, a certain Ʋirgin.

they shall call his Name] Or, his Name shall be called: We read not any where, that he was so called: but the meaning is, That he should do that which the Name imports, and should therefore well deserve to be so called, as being one that should bring God to dwell with us, uniting him to our nature by incarnation; to our persons, by reconciliation. See the like phrase, Isaiah 9:6. and Isaiah 62:4. Jeremiah 23:6. Ezekiel 48:35. Matthew 5:9.

which being interpreted] This shews, that Matthew writ not his Gospel in Hebrew, for then he needed not to have interpreted Emmanuel, which is an Hebrew word. The old Testament was written in Hebrew, because it was the Jews language, who were then the onely visible church. But the new Testament was written in Greek, which was the language then most in use in all countreys, since the decay of the Grecian monarchy.

Matthew 1:25

And] Or, But. So is this particle used, Chap. 11. 19.

he knew her not] As Adam knew his wife, Genesis 4:1. So the word is used, Luke 1:34.

till she had brought forth] She was therefore a pure virgin, when Christ was born, as well as when he was conceived. Neither doth it necessarily follow, that he knew her after, for the word till, doth not import so much. See Genesis 8:7. and 28. 15. Deuteronomy 34:6. 1 Samuel 15:35. 2 Samuel 6:23. Matthew 28:20. 1 Timothy 4:13.

her first born son] This doth not import, that she had any sons after, but that she had none before, Numbers 3:12.

he called his name Jesus] Joseph did it as he was bidden by the angel, verse 21. and as a legall father. Mary is said also to do it, Luke 1:32. as a naturall mother: For mothers imposed names sometimes. As Genesis 4:25. and 29. 32. and 30. 11.