Matthew 1

Matthew 1:1-7

Chap. 1.

This Evangelist begins with the account of Christ’s parentage and birth, his ancestors from whom he descended, and the manner of his entry into the world, to make it appear that he was indeed the Messiah promised; for it was forested that he should be the son of David, and should be born of a virgin; and that he was fit to her family known; for here in a. His partner from Abraham, in forty-two generations, blest fourteen, viz. 16-17. 2. An account of the circumstance of his birth, so far as was requisite to show that he was born of a virgin, ser. 18-25.

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 Pharaz and Zara of Thaman, and Pharaz begat Eiroph, and Eirom begat Amen. 4. And Aram begat Aminath, and Aminalab begat Naaifon, and Naaifon begat Salmon. 5. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab, and Booz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jeffe. 6. And Jeffe 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 Afa. 8. And Afa begat Jofaphat, and Jofaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias. 9. And Ozias begat Joatham, and Joatham begat Achaz, and Achaz begat Ezekim. 10. And Ezekim begat Mantifis, and Mantifis begat Amen, and Amen begat Jofias. 11. And Jofias begat Jeconias 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 Zorohabel. 13. And Zorohabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor. 14. And Azor begat Sidoz, and Sidoz 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.

At the Old Testament opened with the generation of the heaven and the earth, the New begins with the generation of Him who, in the fulness of time, became incarnate for man’s redemption from the curse he had brought upon himself, and made which the whole creation goaimed. We have here his genealogy from authentic records, to prove the accomplishment of the prophecies which went before concerning him, as sprung, according to the flesh, from David and Abraham, Gen. xii. 8. 2. Sam. vii. 12. for which purpose these genealogical tables are produced, abundantly sufficient for the conviction of those in that day, that Jesus was descended from their partake, whatever casts have since been raided, or difficulties flatted against them.

In this genealogy we may observe, (1.) That the line of descent is not always through the first-born, but in many, as Abraham, Jacob, Judah, David, &c. from the younger sons. (2.) That of the four women mentioned, we have two Gentiles and two adulterciles, who would seem to add no honour to their descendants; but herein we have an intimation, that Christ’s salvation was not designed to be confined to the Jewish people, but to be extended to the Gentiles also; and that the most guilty need not detain, when they see that our Lord, in taking the likeness of Jesus such, humbles himself to derive his descent from such as these. (3.) In the genealogy there are several persons passed over, for what reason, it is difficult, and of little import to resolve; and the lineal descendants, that at the distance of three generations, is said to be the son of his remote ancestor, as in the case of Ozias, v. 8. and some suppose of Jeffe also. (4.) The generations are divided into three fourteen, not that there were no more persons really in the descent, but that the evangelist thought fit to mention no more. In the first, we see the family of David rising to the throne; in the second, a race of kings descend from him; in the last, the royal family declines even to a poor carpenter; to failing is this world’s greatness. Yet then, when to human view all prospects of the kingdom’s being restored to David’s house seemed desperate, Jesus arose to sit on his father’s throne, Luke i. 32. when

God promises, we never need despair. (5.) Jesus is called Christ, ver. 16. or Messiah, the unnamed One, uniting in his person the threefold officers, to which men were anointed under the law, of people, griefs, and king; and all his followers are called Christians, an honourable title, and most applicable to those who have indeed received an audition from the holy One, and are consecrated to God as kings and priests, to reign at last with their exalted head.

18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was reported to Joseph, before they came together, the was found with child of the holy Ghost. 19. Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a public 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 it conceived in her is of the holy Ghost. 21. And the 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 prophets, saying, 23. Behold, a virgin shall be well 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 deep, did as the angel of the LORD had hidden him, and took unto him his wife; 25. And he knew her not, till she had brought forth her first-born Son; and he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

The account of the birth of Jesus follows his genealogy. And we have here,

1. His miraculous conception, v. 18. His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, but before the marriage was consummated she was found with child, through the wondrous operation of the Holy Ghost, who formed Christ’s human nature, that it might be pure from every spot of that corruption that naturally descends with his being to every Son of Adam; and that he might thus be a Lamb without blenish, fit for God’s altar.

2. Joseph’s prudent resolve, v. 19. Probably Mary herself communicated to him the circumstances of her case; and though a thousand suggestions might rise up to question her veracity, and to take her to his bed in such a situation he could not think of, being a just man; yet was he unwilling with a male her a public example, and have her punished with death as an adulteress: her artless flury and unaffected simplicity, though strange the relation, might well have caused him to hesitate; and where the shadow of a doubt remained, a just man will ever lean to the side of mercy and charity; therefore he resolved to put her away privacy, a little to publish to wound her character, which duty him him prefers his own. Note, (1.) That apparently the greatest impetus may be done to, it is wise to suppress such anger, and deliberate before we punish. (2.) In very dark cases, where any circumstances appear that will admit of a favourable interpretation, charity, which thanketh no evil, will gladly entertain them.

3. The Lord relieves Joseph from his perplexity: while he deliberates what was fit to be done for God’s glory and his own peace, in Mary’s case, the angel of the Lord in a dream directs him how to act. For when we are in doubt, yet in simplicity desire to know and follow God’s will, we shall be directed, if not by an angel or a dream, yet by some word of God, or intimation of providence. Joseph is now diverted from his purpose, and hid, without hesitation, take to him his wife, since her conception is not the fruit of adultery, but of the Holy Ghost; and the angel calls him Joseph, thou son of David, to lead his thoughts from this extraordinary circumstance to the Messiah who should descend from him; assuring him with a child, that this child now conceived is designed to be the very person, as the name given him imports; he shall be called Jesus, or the Saviour; this being the great end of his appearing, to save his people from their sins, from the punishment and the power of them. Note, They to whom Jesus is a Saviour, are hereby distinguished; they are saved not only from guilt, but from corruption; every one who nameeth the name of Christ, must depart from iniquity, or they are none of his; yet from him alone it cometh that they are enabled to so do.

4. The accomplishment of the scriptures herein is observed by the Evangelist. The prophecy of Isaiah, chap. vii. 14. had foretold, a virgin should conceive, and bring forth a Son, and his name be called Immanuel, which was now fulfilled; Mary being that virgin, and God himself become incarnate in her womb: and thus uniting in his own person the two natures, the divine and human, Jesus was enabled to execute the office of a Saviour, having a body to offer for the sins of men, and infinite

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relay to enhance the function, arising from the dignity of his person, by which means God became reconciled to us, and we who were far off, were brought nigh unto God. How mysterious this union! Let us wonder, love and adore!

5. Joseph no sooner awaked, than he obeyed the heavenly vision, which carried undoubted evidence to his mind of its original, and publicly celebrated his barrage, though he knew not Mary as a wife; at least not till after the birth of Jesus; whether afterwards he did or no, is not said, and immaterial for us to know; this holy abominance of Joseph was sufficient to shew, the child Jesus was the virgin’s son, and in obedience to the angel’s command, he called his name Jesus. Note, (1.) When God commands, we must obey without hesitation. (2.) When Jesus is now come into the world, we are called upon to accept of his salvation; for if we neglect or deplete it, how shall we escape?