The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The pedigree.

"The book of the genealogy," etc. This is not the general title of the First Gospel, but rather the particular title of these sixteen or seventeen verses. The scroll, or writing of divorcement, which the Talmudists say consisted exactly of" twelve lines," is called a biblion, or "book" (Matthew 19:7). So the "book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ" may be understood to describe the single skin on which the words immediately before us were originally written. Vitringa remarks that the expression concerning the "names" in the "book of life," in Revelation 3:5, alludes to the genealogical tables of the Jewish priests (see Ezra 2:62; Nehemiah 7:64), as the "white raiment" mentioned there does to the priestly dress.

I. THIS IS THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS AS THE CHRIST.

1. This is implied in his description. "The Son of David, the Son of Abraham."

2. To assert this is obviously the evangelist's intention. So we understand his words, "genealogy of Jesus the Christ."

(a) In its lustre. Hence the "unction of the Holy One" is said to convey spiritual teaching and heavenly knowledge (1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27).

(b) In its softening, mollifying, lubricating influences. So the oil of anointing is put for the graces of the Holy Spirit.

(c) Jesus was "anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows," viz. not only in the kited, but also in the degree. He received the Spirit "not by measure."

II. THE PEDIGREE IS GIVEN FOR OUR BENEFIT.

1. Jesus had no personal glory from it.

(a) Virtue does not run in the blood.

(b) Jesus appeared "in the likeness of sinful flesh."

2. To us it certifies his Messiahship.

(2) But that Jesus was also the Son of David in blood as well as in law is evident from the genealogy in Luke, which carries his line up through Mary. Joseph, whose lather was Jacob according to Matthew, is in Luke called "the son of Heli" (viz. jure matrimonii), in compliance with the Jewish custom of tracing all genealogies through males. Every way, then, whether by law or by blood, Jesus is proved to be the Son of "David the king" (verse 67, and entitled to the throne.

3. It encourages the hope of the Gentiles.

More for Matthew 1:1-17

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Matthew 1:1-17Matthew 1:1-17 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryConcerning this genealogy of our Saviour, observe the chief intention. It is not a needless genealogy. It is not a vain-glorious one, as those of great men often are. It proves that our Lord Jesus is of the nation and f…The Genealogy of ChristMatthew 1:1-17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST. Concerning this genealogy of our Saviour, observe, I. The title of it. It is the book (or the account, as the Hebrew word sepher, a book, sometimes signifies) of the generation of Jesus Christ,…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-25Matthew 1:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-17Matthew 1:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryJESUS THE CHRIST BY HUMAN ANCESTRY, (Parallel passage: Luke 3:23-38.)The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1Matthew 1:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe book of the generation. As St. Matthew was writing only for Jews, and they, by reason of their Old Testament prophecies, looked for the Messiah to be born of a certain family, he begins his Gospel with a pedigree of…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-17Matthew 1:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe introduction. I. THE TITLE. 1. It is a book; but it is not, like other books, the product of human thought. It presents to us a life not like other lives. That life stands alone in its beauty, purity, tenderness, in…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Matthew 1:1-17Concerning this genealogy of our Saviour, observe the chief intention. It is not a needless genealogy. It is not a vain-glorious one, as those of great men often are. It proves that our Lord Jesus is of the nation and f…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Genealogy of ChristTHE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST. Concerning this genealogy of our Saviour, observe, I. The title of it. It is the book (or the account, as the Hebrew word sepher, a book, sometimes signifies) of the generation of Jesus Christ,…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1The mission of genealogies. The Gospels contain two genealogies of Jesus the Messiah. Both relate to Joseph the reputed father of Jesus, and to Mary by virtue of her relation as wife, or her family relation, to him. Mat…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-25EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-17JESUS THE CHRIST BY HUMAN ANCESTRY, (Parallel passage: Luke 3:23-38.)Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1-17Genealogy of our Lord. Homiletical uses— I. Matthew's purpose is to show that Jesus, after the flesh, was THE HEIR OF DAVID AND OF ABRAHAM, the true Inheritor of the promises and of the liabilities of Israel. At his bir…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1Genealogical lessons. We are tempted to pass by the string of names with which the New Testament opens, as though it had no moral significance, as though it were only a relic of Jewish domestic annals. But even the gene…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 1:1The book of the generation. As St. Matthew was writing only for Jews, and they, by reason of their Old Testament prophecies, looked for the Messiah to be born of a certain family, he begins his Gospel with a pedigree of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors