1:1-17 What significance is to be drawn from the genealogy of Jesus here?

1:1-17 What significance is to be drawn from the genealogy of Jesus here

This proves that Jesus is Messiah – King of Israel, fulfilling God’s covenant with David that his kingdom would be everlasting (cp 2Sam 7:8-16, 18-19, 25-29 with Psa 89:3-4, 34-37).

Not all Christ’s generations are listed in Matthew, but those that are will suffice for the purpose of this study. His genealogy from David is the royal line through King Solomon to Joseph, reckoned by law to be Jesus’ father (cp Mt 1:16).

In Luke’s gospel Christ’s genealogy is through another of David’s sons, Nathan, to Mary, Jesus’ mother (cp Lk 3:23, 31). Heli in V23 is Mary’s father, Joseph’s father-in-law. Joseph was his legal son, or son-in-law, and thus legally Jesus’ father.

It is interesting to note in Jesus’ genealogy in Mt 1 that four women are mentioned in Mt 1:3, 5-6: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba (“… her that had been the wife of Uriah.”)

Both Tamar and Bathsheba committed adultery (cp Gen 38; 2 Sam 11:1-5); Rahab was a harlot (cp Josh 2; Jas 2:25); only Ruth was pure (cp Ruth 3:10-11).

Tamar and Bathsheba were Jews; Rahab and Ruth were Gentiles. Thus Jesus descended from both Jews and Gentiles.

Of interest too is a king named Jeconias in Mt 1:1, also called Coniah, upon whom God pronounced a curse (cp Jer 22:24-30).

Had Jesus been the real son of Joseph He would have come under the curse, but being Mary’s son only, it could not affect Him.

1:18-21 How are we to understand this?

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