Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Matthew (Levi)

Date Penned: (60-65 AD)

Overview: Jesus Christ the King (c 1-28)

Theme: The Birth and Preparation of Jesus, The King (c 1-4)

Message: The Ancestors of Jesus (v 1-24)

Matthew 1 Commentary

   

(1:1) More than 400 years had passed since the last Old Testament prophecies, and faithful Jews all over the world were still awaiting the Messiah (Luke 3) Matthew wrote this book to Jews to present Jesus as King and Messiah, the promised descendant of David would reign forever (Isaiah 11) The Gospel of Matthew links the Old and New Testaments and contains many references to how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Jesus entered history when the land of Israel was controlled by Rome and considered an insignificant outpost of the vast and mighty Roman Empire. The pressence of Roman soldiers in Israel gave the Jews military peace, but at the price of oppression, slavery, injustice, and immorality. Into this kind of world came the promised Messiah. This genealogy was one of the most interesting ways Matthew could begin a book for a Jewish audience. Because a person's family line proved his or her standing as one of God's chosen people. Matthew begins by showing that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, the father of all Jews, and a direct descendant of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's line. The facts of this ancestry were carefully preserved. This is the first of many proofs recorded by Matthew to show that Jesus is the true Messiah. 

(1:2-15) In the first 17 verses we meet 46 People whose lifetimes span 2,000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spiritually, and experience. Some were heroes of faith - like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations - like Rachab and Thamar. Many were very ordinary - like Esrom. , Aram, Nasson, and Achim, And others were evil - like Manasses and Abia. God's work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and he works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will. And God wants to use you.

(1:16) Because Mary was a virgin when she became pregnant. Matthew lists Joseph only as the husband of Mary, not the father of Jesus, Matthew's genealogy gives Jesus' legal (or royal) lineage through Joseph. Mary's ancestral line is recorded in Luke 3. Both Mary and Joseph were direct descendants of David. Matthew traced the genealogy back to Abraham, while Ludke traced it back to Adam. Matthew wrote to the Jews, so Jesus was shown as a descendant of their father Abraham. Luke wrote to the Gentiles and emphasized Jesus as the Savior of all people.

(1:17) Matthew breaks Israel's history into 3 sets of 14 generations. The word begat can also be translated "was the ancestor of"

(1:18) There were 3 steps in a Jewish marriage, 1st the two families agreed to the union, 2nd a public announcement was made. At this point, know as betrothal, the woman was said to be "espoused" to the man, This was similar to engagement today except that their relationship could be broken only by death or divorce (even though sexual relations were not yet permitted) 3rd the couple was married and began living together. Because Mary and Joseph were betrothed. Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma. According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had a right to divorce her, and the Jewish authorities could have her stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22)

(1:19) Why is the virgin birth important to the christian faith? Jusus Christ, God's Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam, Because he was born of woman, he was a human being, but because he was the Son of God, he was born without any trace of human sin. He was both fully human and fully divine. Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4) Because He is God, thus has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2) We can tell him all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now and he has the ability to help. Joseph was faced with a difficult choice after discovering that Mary was pregnant. Although he knew that taking Mary as his wife could be humiliating, he chose to obey the angel's command to marry her. His action revealed four admirable qualities: (1) stern principle (2) discretion and sensitivity (3) responsiveness to God (4) self discipline. Perhaps Joseph thought he had only 2 options. Divorce Mary quietly ("put her away privily"). or have her stoned. But God had a third option - marry her. In view of the circumstances, this had not occurred to Joseph. But God often shows us that there are more options available than we think. Although Joseph seemed to be doing right by breaking the engagement, only God's guidance helped him make the best decision. When our decisions affect the lives of others, we must always seek God's wisdom.

(1:20) The angel declared to Joseph that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Ghost and would be a son. This reveals an important truth about Jesus - He is both God and man. God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who would believe in him. The conception and birth of Jesus are supernatural events beyond human logic or reasoning. Because of this, God sent angels to help certain people understand the significance of what was happening. Angels are spiritual beings created by God who carry out his work on earth. They bring God's messages to people (Luke 1) protect God's People (Daniel 6) offer encouragement  (Genesis 16) give guidance (Exodus 14) bring punishment (2 Samuel 24) patrol the earth (Zechariah 1) and fight the forces of evil (2 Kings 6) There are both good and bad angels (Revelation 12) but because bad angels are allied with satan they have considerably less power and authority. Eventually the main role of angels will be to offer continuous praise to God (Revelation 19)

(1:21) Jesus means "savior" . Jesus came to earth to save us because we can't save ourselves from sin's consequences No matter how good we are. we can't eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn't come to help people save themselves. 

He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Christ for his death on the cross for your sin.

(1:23) Jesus was to be called Emmanuel (God with us) and predicted by Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 7) Jesus was God in the flesh, thus God was literally among us . Through the Holy Spirit God is present and within us to do His Will here on earth.

 Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we start the book of Matthew with Chapter 1. In our text today we see the genealogy of Jesus-Christ recorded as we start the New Testament. The word testament means covenant, and covenant promise. The Old Promise is that Jesus is coming and the New Promise is that Jesus is here and in Him is eternal life. In making application we see that God has detailed plan for your life which includes your salvation, and then your growth in Him. How about you? Have you been Saved? If so let us learn from our text today and the details of Gods plan to see that God has wonderful plan for your life which includes you being conformed into the likeness of Jesus-Christ.