Genealogy of Jesus (Intro.)

Fall 2024, Evening Services

Genealogy of Jesus

Message #1

Matthew 1:1-17.

Central Idea: Matthew proves Jesus as King through a careful record of the lineage of Jesus.

Guiding Question: What are the important features of these verses?

Distinction:

More teaching than preaching in nature.

Variant from Luke’s account:

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

Scholars suggest several ways in which the genealogies of Matthew and Luke may be harmonized. First, one may preserve the genealogy of Jesus through Mary and the other through Joseph. Second, the custom of levirate marriage resulted in a child having different biological and legal fathers. Perhaps one genealogy follows the biological line while the other follows the legal. Third, one genealogy may trace David’s legal descendants who would have reigned if the Davidic kingdom had continued, while the other lists descendants in Joseph’s specific line. A combination of these approaches is also possible.

The opening statement featuring God’s faithfulness. [v. 1]

An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

Asserts Jesus as the Son of David— the fulfillment of royal lineage of David.

This highlights “Jesus’ royal identity: He is the son of David. When we think about the son of David, we’re reminded of David’s desire to build the temple of the Lord is 2 Samuel 7. Here is God’s response: 2 Samuel 7:12–13 “12 When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (Platt)

Exalting Jesus in Matthew Introduction of the King (Matthew 1:1–17)

The second thing God promised to David was that an honored son will reign on the throne. This promise had an immediate reference to Solomon; however, God promised that the throne would be established forever: “Your house and kingdom will endure before Me forever” (2 Sam 7:16). The Old Testament had been pointing to a continual seed that would endure and an honored son from the seed of David who would reign on the throne.

Asserts Jesus as the Son of Abraham— the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

Genesis 12:1–3 “1 The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

He reminds Abram of this call in Genesis 15 and in 17. Genesis 17:5–6 “5 Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you.” ; Genesis 17:15–16 “15 God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name. 16 I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.””

Exalting Jesus in Matthew Introduction of the King (Matthew 1:1–17)

God works out His promise to Abraham in Israel’s history and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing in history is accidental. Every detail in the Old Testament, even from the very beginning (Gen 3:15), was pointing to a King who would come. History revolves around a King who would come—a King who now has come! Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, is the center of it all.

The significance of the number fourteen. [v. 6; v. 17]

Matthew 1:17 “17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations.”

Although I would not affirm or adhere to the system of interpretation called gematria, it is significant to mention that— in the Hebrew world, where the Hebrew letters of the alphabet carry numerical value, the value of David in the Hebrew is 14. (דיד— d=4+y=6+d=4 = 14)

According to Patrick Schreiner, “The name David is also placed at the 14th and 15th spot in the genealogy, putting him at the pivot of the list (1:6). He is also named at the beginning and the end (1:1, 17).” (Thomas Schreiner, 5 Reasons Matthew Begins with a genealogy in “The Gospel Coalition” Published January 1, 2020. Accessed September 7, 2024. 5 Reasons Matthew Begins with a Genealogy (thegospelcoalition.org))

The textual variant. [vv. 7-8; 10]

Asa in verses 7-8 could also be Asaph like that found in Psalms.

Amon in verse 10 could also be Amos like the Prophet.

Regarding both of these, though the oldest manuscripts perhaps included the variant spellings, we should not automatically trust they must refer to the Psalmist or the Prophet. In fact, it is likely that Asa is correctly referring to the king of Judah. Additionally, Amon is likely correctly referring to the king in 2 Kings 21.

The message communicated by Matthew demonstrated in the genealogy. [vv. 2-6]

The inclusion of those who are non-Jew, women, and considered to be unlikely in the ideal lineage of the Savior. This is to show that Jesus is the hope for all people.

“In a patriarchal society, it’s surprising to include women at all.” (Patrick Schreiner, TGC)

Tamar- Judah’s daughter-in-law (Gen. 38) who had “sinful incest that led to the birth of the twins mentioned in verse 3, Perez and Zerah.”

Rahab- “A prostitute who was spared when the people of God came into the promised land (Josh 2).”

Ruth- “A Moabite (Ruth 1:4), a people known for their sexual immorality, and who at one time were forbidden to come into the assembly of God’s people.”

Bathsheba- “The wife of Uriah (v. 6). Bathsheba was brought into David’s kingly line through adultery and murder (2 Sam 11).”

[notes 1-4 are from the following source: Platt, David. 2013. Exalting Jesus in Matthew. Edited by Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference.]

“Even so, one might expect to see the matriarchs of the faith: Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, or Leah.” (Schreiner)

“Though it’s only explicit that Rahab and Ruth are non-Israelites, a good case can also be made for Tamar and Bathsheba. Bathsheba is listed as “the wife of Uriah” (1:6), probably because it makes her Gentile status explicit—Uriah was a Hittite (2 Sam. 11:3, 6). Tamar is also not explicitly identified as a Gentile in the Old Testament, but a Jewish tradition asserts she was a Syrian proselyte. Thus, all the evidence taken together—Tamar and Rahab were Canaanites, Ruth a Moabite, and Bathsheba a Hittite’s wife. Jesus’s family includes all nations.” (Schreiner, bold font added for emphasis)

Though there is the inclusion of those who were considered unlikely in the lineage, predominately, the lineage is riddled with Jewish people to build credibility with the intended audience of mostly Jews. David Platt helps the reader understand more about the features in the lineage that support this:

Predominantly Jewish lineage

The early title affirming Jesus as Savior and Messiah:

Jesus = Greek form of Joshua or Yeshua meaning “Yahweh saves” or “The Lord is salvation.”

Christ = “Messiah” or “Anointed One” (Address the Genitive case in the Greek— likely Genitive of specific identity or of attributive nature)

Response Questions:

[1] How have you seen God’s faithfulness to you and your family?

[2] Careful study of Scripture proves that God is a God of the details. How have you seen God at work in the details of your life?