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BOOK 40 OF 66 · GOSPELS · KING JAMES BIBLE

Matthew 1

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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Matthew 1 Overview

Matthew opens with the genealogy and birth of Jesus Christ, establishing Him as son of David and son of Abraham. Joseph learns that Mary’s conception is of the Holy Ghost, receives the child as commanded, and names Him Jesus. Matthew immediately frames the birth as fulfillment of Scripture and identifies the child as Emmanuel, God with us.

MatthewBook
1Chapter
25Verses
GospelsDivision

Before you read Matthew 1

Coming from

Malachi ended the Old Testament by looking backward to Moses and forward to an Elijah-like messenger before the Day of the LORD. Matthew opens by identifying Jesus Christ as son of David and son of Abraham, immediately presenting Him as the fulfillment toward which Israel’s Scriptures were moving.

In this chapter

Matthew introduces Jesus through royal-covenant genealogy and the virgin conception, showing that His arrival fulfills God’s promises rather than beginning an unrelated story.

Leads into

Matthew 2 continues the account: Wise men from the east come seeking the newborn King of the Jews.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Matthew arranges the genealogy deliberately around Abraham, David, the exile, and Christ. The list traces legal/royal descent through Joseph and highlights the Davidic and Abrahamic promises that frame the Gospel.

The virgin conception is presented as an act of the Holy Ghost, not human generation. Joseph is Jesus’ legal father in the genealogy while Matthew is explicit that Joseph did not beget Jesus physically.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Jesus stands in Israel’s covenant story

The Gospel begins by connecting Him to Abraham, David, and the exile rather than detaching Him from the Old Testament.

The incarnation is supernatural

Jesus’ conception is of the Holy Ghost and fulfills the prophetic sign of the virgin bringing forth a son.

Joseph models obedient faithfulness

He responds to divine revelation by receiving Mary and naming the child as instructed.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Genesis 12:1–3

Abraham anchors the promise that blessing would reach the nations.

2 Samuel 7:12–16

Davidic covenant language supplies the royal background for Matthew’s title son of David.

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew explicitly identifies the virgin-conception sign with Jesus’ birth.

Luke 1–2

Luke supplies complementary birth material from another perspective, especially Mary’s experience and the wider family setting.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not treat the genealogy as filler

It is Matthew’s theological doorway into the Gospel and establishes covenant and royal identity.

Do not use the unusual women in the genealogy to invent claims the text does not make

Their inclusion is significant, but Matthew does not explain every reason for each name.

Do not confuse Joseph’s legal fatherhood with physical begetting

Matthew carefully distinguishes the two.

Read Matthew 1 watching for…

The titles given to Jesus in the opening verse.

The major turning points in the genealogy.

The change in wording when the genealogy reaches Jesus.

Joseph’s response to the angelic message.

How Matthew introduces fulfillment of prophecy.

TWBC REVIEW STANDARD

Plain language. Scripture first. Fact distinguished from inference. No filler. No fake certainty. Designed to help you read the Bible itself.

Chapter outline2 sections
1-17The genealogy traces Jesus Christ from Abraham through David to Joseph18-25Jesus is conceived by the Holy Ghost, Joseph obeys the angel, and Jesus is born
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 Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6

And Jesse 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 Asa;

8

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

11

And Josias begat Jechonias 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 Zorobabel;

13

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc 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.

18

Now 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.

19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick 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 conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21

And she 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 prophet, saying,

23

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.

24

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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Matthew 1:3

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