Matthew 1

Matthew 1:1

THe book] A register or muster roll of Christ his lineall descent according to the flesh, Luke 3:23.

Matthew 1:5

Of Rachab.] It is uncertaine whether it be meant of that Rachab. Ios. 21.

Matthew 1:8

Joram] three successive Kings are left out here, Achazia, Joas and Amazia. 2 King. 8. 29. and 11. 2. and 12. 21. and 14. 21. whereof the reason is unknowne, as also of many other particularities in these generalogies.

Matthew 1:11

Jechonias] the Greeks have confused both these names, of Jehoiakim the son of Josias, and of Iehoiki the son of Iehoiakim into one name of Iechoniah, and therefore here must be understood the son of Iosias, and in v 12. the grandchild, who was also properly called Iechonia 1. Chro. 3. 16 about the,] that is to say under whom at divers times the people were carried away captive to Babylon, 2 King. 24. 15.

Matthew 1:12

After they,] after they were led into captivity, bega] by Ier. 22. 30. Luke 3:27. it appears that Salathiel was not the Sonne of Iechona in whom the line of Davidby Solomon failed, but onely the next successor in the governement of the people.Ezra. 1. 8. and 5. 14. and 6. 7. See the like examples 1 Cro. 3. 16. 17. See upon Luke 3:23. how these two Genealogies of S Matthew and S Luke may be reconciled.Zorobabel, who was not the sonne but the grandchild of Salathiel, 1 Chronicles 3:17-19. and the father hath beene left out, peradventure because he did before his father, and never came to that dignitie.

Matthew 1:16

Christ,] that is to say anointed, a Greek name answerable to the Hebrew name of Messias: so called because he was appointed and consecrated by the Father to be King, Priest, and supreme Prophet of the Church, in his whole person: And in his humane nature he was endowed with the fulnesse of the gifts of the holy Ghost, which two things were signified by the ancient unction. See Isaiah 61:1. Daniel 9:24.

Matthew 1:17

Fourteene,] it is certaine that in the second and third rank there are some omissions whereof there can be no certaine reason given, see V. 8.

Matthew 1:18

Espoused,] that is to say promised according to the laudable ancient custome, to let a space of time be betwixt the betrothing or espousals and promises of marriage and the consummation thereof, Genesis 19:14. Deut. 20. 7. and 22, 23 of the holy Ghost,] namely by his miraculous operation, by which beyond and above the order of nature, and without any conjunction of man he framed the body of our Saviour of the proper substance of the Virgin: and sanctifying him perfectly, did animate and vivifie him.

Matthew 1:19

A just.] that would deale righteously and honestly, and would not marry another mans wife, nor one of a stained chastity: and also courteous and pious, not willing to defame her by putting her away solemnely after the accustomed manner.

Matthew 1:22

That it might,] not that the prediction was the cause of that accomplishment which contrariwise was the cause of prediction, but to shew the necessity of the accomplishment in due time; untill which time the truth of the prediction did hang as it were in suspence. Or plainly to shew the concurrency of the accomplishment with the prediction.

Matthew 1:23

They shall call,] other texts have it thou shalt call: that is to say, thou Virgin mother according to Isaiah his proper termes.

Matthew 1:25

Till she had,] this was necessary to bee knowne for the Churches beleefe. But whither afterwards Ioseph kept Mary, and did abstaine from her company, the Holy Ghost, hath not specified; yet it is piously beleeved to be so.