“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:”
There are four gospels with a different emphasis in each:
Matthew wrote to the Jews,
Mark to the Romans,
Luke to the Gentiles, and
John to everyone.
There are extensive quotations from the Old Testament in Matthew, more than in any other gospel.
Matthew began his book with a presentation of the ancestry of Jesus Christ (1:1-17) because of its strategic argument for the Messiah. Matthew presented the genealogy of Joseph, and Luke presented the genealogy of Mary (Lu 3). Thus, we have both a legal line and the blood line of Jesus. Matthew proved that Jesus had the legal right to the throne of David. He had the judicial and prophetic right to the throne (2 Sa 7:8-18; Ps 89:20-37).
1:1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
Matthew began with the ancestry of Jesus Christ to prove his Messiahship to the Jews. Genealogies are crucial to the Jews, so this list of names is vital to prove Jesus’ Messiahship. The genealogy divides into three historical sections, each with 14 generations:
Abraham to Jesse (leading to David),
David to Josiah (the kingdom period),
Jeconiah to Joseph (the royal descent during the exile in Babylon, 586 B.C. and following).
the Son of David
Matthew presented two unconditional covenants to establish the Messiahship of Jesus to the Jews: (1) the Davidic Covenant (2 Sa 7) and (2) the Abrahamic Covenant (Ge 12-15).
the Son of Abraham
This is a reference to the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant was the launching of the Jewish people into existence. Abraham was a Gentile who became a Jew by faith (Ge 15:6; Ro 9:6-14). The founding of the Jewish nation came by regeneration, not physical generation. Abraham believed in the promise of the coming Messiah and that made him a believer. Thus, the nation of the Jewish people was founded on Abraham (Ro 9:6-14). Abraham became the pattern for salvation or justification by faith (Ro 4:1-7). Abraham was an example of someone who walked by faith (He 11:8-19; Ja 2:21-24).
PRINCIPLE:
People in the Old Testament, as well as people of the New Testament, were justified by faith.
APPLICATION:
Salvation is always by faith, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament. If we add works, we negate grace. It is either one or the other, not both. Grace and works are mutually exclusive. We receive grace by belief or trust.
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered…” Ro 4:1-7
This is quite simple to understand. Thank God for your life.
Dr. Grant C.Richison I appreciate all the work you do. It is very helpful.
Thanks Henry, I remember you as one of the choice servants of God. Love to both you and your wife.
Thank You so much Dr. Grant, I’m very blessed about the exposition of the of James and 1Peter, now I’m heading to the book of 2 Peter…
Thank you very much for your expositon they are very enlightening,very helpfull spiritually,saving me through grace from God Our Father through Dr Grant.
Wow, this is great insight. God bless you for allowing God to use you in susch a profound manner.
Thanks for this really interesting exposition.
Thank you Donald.
Sentence “There are four gospels with a different emphasis in each” repeated twice. I found your site recently and started reading through it. I find it easy to read and understand in modern english. Thank you.
Ravi, thank you for drawing attention to the typo; it is now corrected.
Always exciting coming accross another source that helps in our sanctification. Thank you for your faithful ministry and praise to our king Christ Jesus.
On a side note, will you be commentating the book of Genesis in the near future Grant?
Kevin, I am working on John 10 presently but I have a number of other books to do before Genesis. There are about 9,000 pages on this site so you can see it is a very slow process.
CommentComentary yang sangat menolong saya. Pikiran saya lebih terbuka untuk mengerti Firman Tuhan ini. Terimakasih Pastor Grand.
Anto, thank you for your comment.
Thanks bro grant
Grant, I’ve been a student of yours since the early days at Immanuel. Thanks! I’m now 79 and retired, but about to start, in some way, a radio broadcast in my latter years. (I need something to do) I will again, of course, and by habit, use your material for a lot of help if that is O.K. with you. Thank you much. Your help has been very important to me. Richard (Dick) Kreider
Richard, I am blessed that you still have a heart to serve the Lord. May God bless your radio ministry. Thanks as well for the word of encouragement.
Dr. Grant may the Almighty God use you more and add more years to your ministry. Your exposition and exegesis is highly needed today tomorrow and forever..Can l be enrolled for a Masters Degree ( Theology) ? Help!!
Tesaaga, thanks for your blog and encouragement about exposition. I am not currently connected to any school except to teach for short periods in different schools in the world by live-streaming internet. May God guide you in your search for a seminary that teaches how to do exposition.
Dr Grant, thank you for your dedication and hard work to help us better understand God’s Word. We have been looking for an easier way to understand His Word for our family. We found it and will use yours. God bless you and the ministry that our Lord has blessed you with in 2021 and beyond.
Jeff, thank you for your words of encouragement.
Am so blessed , thanks this teaching has helped me to teach others .
Thank you Kisekwa.
Hi and good morning. I have another question that pertains to the word “book” in (Mt.1:1).
When exactly was the codex invented? At the time Matthew was written, were their books (codex) then? Matthew uses “book” in (Mt.1:1), but in (Lk.4:17) it says JESUS read from a “scroll.”
I was just trying to figure out, if books were not around until sometime after the disciples, then why did Matthew use the word “book”? Shouldn’t it say, “the scroll of the genealogy….?”
It’s a small question, but I’m real curious. Thank you sir.
God bless,
Donnie
Donnie, the codices were found in the 4th century. However, the translation “book” should be more like “record” or something similar. Note use of biblos: βίβλος [biblos /bib·los/] n n. Primitive root; TDNT 1:615; TDNTA 106; GK 1047; 13 occurrences; AV translates as “book” 13 times. 1 a written book, a roll, a scroll.
Thank you so much for your helping my understanding