The Gospels · Chapter 1 of 28

Matthew 1

Matthew opens his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Him from Abraham through David to Joseph, in three sets of fourteen generations. Then he tells of Jesus' birth: Mary is found with child by the Holy Ghost, and Joseph, a just man, plans to divorce her quietly. An angel reveals the child is from God, to be named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

What happens in Matthew 1

Matthew records the generations of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham, listing the line through Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David the king, and on through the kings of Judah to the exile in Babylon and beyond to Joseph, the husband of Mary. Notably the list names women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah. Matthew counts three sets of fourteen generations. He then narrates the birth: Mary, espoused to Joseph, is found with child before they come together.

Joseph, being just and unwilling to shame her, resolves to divorce her privately. An angel appears in a dream, telling him not to fear, for the child is conceived of the Holy Ghost. He is to name Him Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. This fulfills Isaiah's word about Emmanuel, God with us. Joseph obeys.

Matthew 1 in context

Matthew writes primarily to a Jewish audience, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah and rightful heir of David's throne. A genealogy establishes legal descent and covenant lineage, connecting Jesus to God's promises to Abraham and David.

Betrothal in that culture was legally binding, so Joseph's dilemma over Mary's pregnancy was serious, and his righteousness is shown in his mercy.

Main themes of Matthew 1

Promise kept through generationsThe long list of names is not filler but faithfulness. Through centuries of kings and exile, saints and sinners, God preserved the line of promise to Abraham and David. Jesus arrives as the fulfillment of covenants made ages before He was born.

Grace in the family treeMatthew names Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, women marked by scandal, foreignness, or sorrow. Their presence in the Messiah's line signals a Savior who comes through broken and unlikely stories, and who welcomes outsiders into God's family.

The name that savesThe child is to be called Jesus, meaning the LORD saves, for He shall save His people from their sins. His mission is stated before His birth. He comes not merely to teach or reign but to rescue people from the deepest bondage.

This is the Gospel, the life, words, death, and resurrection of Jesus Himself. As you read, do not just study Him; come to Him. This is the heart of everything.

Matthew 1 (KJV)

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17So 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. 18Now 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. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But 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. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, 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. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Verses to carry from Matthew 1

“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”Matthew 1:16

“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

“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.”Matthew 1:23

Messianic prophecy

How Matthew 1 points to Jesus

This chapter is wholly about Jesus, and it grounds Him in prophecy. Matthew cites Isaiah, 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. The genealogy proves Him the legal son of David, heir to the throne promised in Scripture, while the virgin conception marks Him as the Son of God.

The angel gives His mission in a single sentence: he shall save his people from their sins. Every name in the long line was waiting for this One. In Jesus, God does not send help from a distance but comes Himself to dwell among us as Emmanuel, born to bear the very sins that separate us from God.

Questions about Matthew 1

Why does Matthew begin with a genealogy?

Matthew, writing to Jewish readers, opens by proving Jesus is the legal heir of David and a true son of Abraham, the one through whom God's covenant promises come. The genealogy shows that Jesus did not appear out of nowhere but fulfills centuries of expectation woven through Israel's history.

What does the name Jesus mean?

Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning the LORD saves. The angel explains the name directly: he shall save his people from their sins. His name announces His purpose. He came not only to teach or heal but to rescue people from sin's guilt and power.

Reflection

Notice the women in this genealogy, and the scandals attached to them. God did not scrub the family tree of Jesus clean. If your story feels too broken to belong to God, look again at the line He chose to enter. Grace runs through it.

A prayer from Matthew 1

Lord Jesus, Your very name means salvation, and You were born to save Your people from their sins. Thank You for coming near as Emmanuel, God with us. Enter my story, unlikely as it is, and make me part of Your family. Amen.

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