Matthew 1:1 Jesus Christ the Son of David the Son of Abraham
Introduction: This verse is a heading, a caption. It sets forth the subject of Matthew’s writing in verses 2-17. “Generation” here means “family record, family tree.”
Matthew identifies the person of whom he writes. He is Jesus Christ.
I. The meaning of the words.
A. Matthew is believed to have written the book in Hebrew or Aramaic. (At least we need to understand the meaning of these words in the Hebrew.)
B. “Jesus” is a transliteration from the Hebrew to the Greek and from the Greek to English.
1. In Hebrew it means “Jehovah saves” (verbal) or “Jehovah the Savior”, (noun).
2. It is a name commonly given to Hebrew children and obviously was not intended to identify them all as Jehovah the Savior. (Rather it meant “Jehovah saves.)
3. But Matthew in his writing identified Him as “Jehovah the Savior.”(Jesus was Jehovah God in human flesh; He is the Savior.)
C. “Christ” means “anointed one.”
1. Anointing in the Old Testament was done with oil.
2. It was to set the man apart to a sacred office.
3. There were three Old Testaments officers so anointed. (Prophet, Priest, King).
4. Symbolically, the oil represented the Holy Spirit which would empower him in his office to do his work.
5. Jesus was so anointed with the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:38.
6. He was anointed as Prophet, Priest, and King.
7. Matthew emphasizes that He is King.
II. The lineage through David and Abraham.
A. Jesus is a descendant of David. (A matter of record.)
1. Matthew calls special attention to this fact.
2. God had promised David an heir to the thrown.
3. The anointed heir must, therefore, be a descendant of David to have legal right to the throne.
4. An angel identified Jesus to Mary as the promised heir, Luke 1: 31-32.
B. Jesus is a descendant of Abraham.
1. That would go without saying since He was a descendant of David. (Matthew was not adding information, but emphasis.)
2. God had promised Abraham a Seed through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed.
3. But this does take on special
meaning: the Messiah King would not only be King in
C. There is a noticeable omission.
1. Matthew says that Jesus is the son of David and the son of Abraham, but he does not say that He is the Son of God.
2. This does not mean that Matthew had any doubts about Jesus being the Son of God.
3. He identified Him as the Christ, hence the Son of God.
4. The essence of the whole book is that Jesus is the Son of God.
Conclusion: Not all who saw Jesus were saved.
Not all who read Matthew get saved.
But all who trust Jesus get saved.
All who get saved should serve Him. (Savior and King).
We invite you to join with us to serve Him. (He wants your service thru a New Testament church.)
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