Matthew 1:2-17 The Family Tree of Jesus Christ

Introduction: There is a different spelling for some of these names than in the Old Testament. Most Bible readers skip such passages. The word “begat” means to become the father or forefather. The family tree is divided into three lists. (verse 17). Note the chart that David closes one list and begins another. Also Josias, the skeptics claim that the Bible has an error here and that two of the lists only have thirteen names.

I. The first division: the family and racial line

A. Abraham heads the list.

1. It was to him that the promise was made to send the seed thru his family line.

2. Yet not all of Abraham’s family was included in the covenant. (Not Ishmael, nor the sons of Keturah).

3. The covenant was confirmed with Isaac.

B. Isaac was next on the list. (But the covenant was not confirmed with his son Esau.)

C. The covenant was confirmed with Jacob. (From this point forward it is both a family matter and a racial lineage. Jesus was to be born of the Hebrew race.)

D. Surprisingly two Gentile women are in the ancestry of Jesus, Rahab and Ruth. Vs. 5.

1. Rahab was in her early life a woman of disrepute.

2. Hebrews 11:31 commends her for her faith. (It is inferred that she changed in character as a result of her faith.)

II. The second division: the family, racial and kingly line

A. Saul is not listed because he was not in this family.

B. David was not only the first king, but he was promised an heir who would sit on the throne forever.

1. This king would be the Seed promised to Abraham.

2. Therefore, the Christ must be of David’s lineage.

C. Three kings are omitted by Matthew.

1. Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah reigned between Joram and Ozias. I Chronicles 3:11-12.

2. Various explanations have been offered. (I do not know the full explanation. Here is what I do know.)

3. Matthew wrote by inspiration; it was God who chose to omit these three kings; God had His reason.

III. The third division: the family and racial line continued

A. Josias is the only king named.

1. The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and carried away Daniel and others.

2. There were actually three other kings, but they were all subservient to Babylon.

3. They were Jehoiakim, his son Jehoiachin, and his brother Zedekiah.

4. Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon and Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah carried away.

B. The most difficult problem is the name Jacob in vs. 15-16, whereas Luke says “Heli”, Luke 3:23

1. The most prominent explanation is that Matthew gives the genealogy thru Joseph and Luke, thru Mary. (“Son” in the sense of “son-in-law”.)

2. Another - - A Levarite marriage is involved.

3. A possibility - - there could be two names for the same man.

C. Matthew is careful not to call Joseph the father of Jesus, Vs. 16. (Jesus is virgin born.)

D. Jesus still has the right to the throne.

Conclusion: Jesus is thru the Hebrews, but is the Savior for all men.

Chart

1. Abraham	David	Josiah
2. Isaac	Solomon	Jechoniah (II Chron. 36:8-10)
3. Jacob	Roboam	Salathiel
4. Judas	Abijah	Zerubbabel
5. Pharez	Asa	Abiud
6. Hezron	Jehoshaphat	Eliakim
7. Ram	Joram (I Chron. 3:11-12)	Azor
8. Amminadab	Uzziah	Sadoc
9. Nahshon	Jotham	Achim
10. Salmon	Ahaz	Eliud
11. Boaz	Hezekiah	Eleazar
12. Obed	Manasseh	Matthan
13. Jesse	Amon	Jacob
14. David	Josiah	Joseph

Preached at Pleasant Hill M.B.C. 12-13-81 A.M.