A. A Royal Descendant (Matthew 1:1–17)
Matthew — A Royal Genealogy
Traces the regal line of David through his son Solomon to Joseph, His legal stepfather.
Luke — A Great Man’s Genealogy
Traces the physical line of David through another son, Nathan, to His physical mother.
In other words, Jesus was a descendant of David both through His father and mother.
Supporting passages: 2 Samuel 7:11c–13, 16; Isaiah 11:1–10; Acts 2:29–36.
Matthew’s Genealogy — 14 × 3
| First Group | Second Group | Third Group |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham | David | Jeconiah |
| Isaac | Solomon | Shealtiel |
| Jacob | Rehoboam | Zerubbabel |
| Judah | Abijah | Abiud |
| Perez | Asa | Eliakim |
| Hezron | Jehoshaphat | Azor |
| Ram | Joram | Zadok |
| Amminadab | Uzziah | Achim |
| Nahshon | Jotham | Eliud |
| Salmon | Ahaz | Eleazar |
| Boaz | Hezekiah | Matthan |
| Obed | Manasseh | Jacob |
| Jesse | Amon | Joseph |
| David (king) | Josiah | Jesus |
Observations
- Returned from Babylon but never had an heir of David on the throne until Jesus.
- Four unlikely women are mentioned in the genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba.
- First 2/3 list from Septuagint: 1 Chronicles 2:1–15; 3:5–24; Ruth 4:13–21.
- List is not complete.
- List is accurate.
- List is convincing.
Jesus is the promised Messianic King.
B. A Royal Birth (Matthew 1:18–25)
The Pedigree of Jesus
- Found to be with child by the Holy Spirit (1:18).
- Husband convinced the same through a dream (1:20).
- His name: Jesus — save people from their sin.
- The prophecy: Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
Why Is the Virgin Birth a Fundamental Doctrine of Christianity?
- Word of God says it.
- Prophecy fulfilled (Isaiah 7:14).
- Sinlessness of Jesus.
- Incarnation of God.
C. A Royal Welcome (Matthew 2:1–23)
Gentiles loved the Jewish King. The Jews despised their own King.
Stage 1 — Gentile and Jewish Attitudes and Actions
| Gentile | Jewish |
|---|---|
| Traveled far | Lived near |
| Special sign | Had prophecies |
| Searched hard | Didn’t care |
| Foreign king | Own king |
| Gave homage and riches | Worried about selves |
Stages 2–4
| Stage | First Observation | Second Observation |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 | Herod usurped the throne and was insecure. | Jesus was born King and flees to Egypt. But He is called with a purpose. |
| Stage 3 | Rachel, mother of Israel, weeps before the exile (Jeremiah 31:15). | The exile almost over. The final grief for New Covenant almost there (Jeremiah 31:31–34). |
| Stage 4 | Archelaus reigning in Judea. | Jesus goes to despised Galilee, and even more despised Nazareth. |
Four Clear Prophecies
- Matthew 2:6 — In Bethlehem
- Matthew 2:15 — Out of Egypt
- Matthew 2:18 — Rachel weeping
- Matthew 2:23 — Nazarene = “despised”