Bible Commentaries

The ^{1 a} book of the ^b generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the ^c son of Abraham.

(1) Jesus Christ came of Abraham of the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David as God promised.

(a) Rehearsal: as the Hebrews used to speak; see (Genesis 5:1), the book of the generations.

(b) Of the ancestors from whom Christ came.

(c) Christ is also the son of Abraham.

and Josias begat ^d Jechonias and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away of Babylon.

(d) That is, the captivity fell in the days of Jakim and Jechonias: for Jechonias was born before the carrying away into captivity.

All ^e the generations, therefore, from Abraham to David [were] fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away of Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the carrying away of Babylon unto the Christ, fourteen generations.

(e) All those who were considered to be in the lineage of David's family, as they begat one another orderly in turn.

Now the birth of ² Jesus Christ was thus: His mother, Mary, that is, having been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of [the] Holy Spirit.

(2) Christ is the true Emmanuel, and therefore, Jesus (that is, Saviour) is conceived in the virgin by the Holy Spirit, as foretold by the prophets.

but while he pondered on these things, behold, an angel of [the] Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to ^f take to [thee] Mary, thy ^g wife, for that which is ^h begotten in her is of [the] Holy Spirit.

(f) Receive her from her parents and kinsfolks hands.

(g) Who was promised, and made sure to you to be your wife.

(h) Of the mother's substance by the Holy Spirit.

And she shall bring forth ³ a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save ⁱ his people from their sins.

(3) Christ is born of the same virgin who never knew a man: and is named Jesus by God himself through the angel.

(i) Save, and this shows us the meaning of the name Jesus.

Behold, a ^k virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(k) There is an article added in the Hebrew and Greek text, to point out the woman and set her forth plainly: as we would say, the virgin, or a certain virgin.

And knew her not ^l till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

(l) The word "till", in the Hebrew language, gives us to understand that a thing will not come to pass in time to come: as Michal had no children "till" her death day, (2 Samuel 6:23). And in the last chapter of this evangelist: Behold, I am with you "till" the end of the world.