Gospel of Matthew Matthew 1:1-17 The King’s Family Tree Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Christ and King. The opening genealogy documents Christ’s credentials as Israel’s Messiah and King and the rest of the gospel continues this theme. As bookends to the story of His life, Matthew ironically reveals Christ as King of the Jews through the testimony of Gentiles: •

The testimony of the wise men (Mt. 2:2)

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The testimony of the accusation above the cross (Mt. 27:37)

Only two of the four gospels record Christ’s genealogy (Matthew and Luke). Mark presents Christ as the ultimate servant and the genealogy of a servant is not important. On the other hand, John presents Christ as the eternal Son of God who transcends all human genealogy. Both Matthew and Luke record His genealogy. Matthew’s listing is not exhaustive but selective, skipping over several generations between well-known people. •

Matthew traces Christ’s genealogy forward from Abraham (Mt. 1:1-17) His purpose is to show the royal lineage of Christ. If Jesus is to be honored and received as King, there must be proof that He comes from the royal family. The Jewish flavor of this gospel is evident in that Matthew traces Christ’s genealogy back to Abraham, father of the Jewish people.

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Luke traces Christ’s genealogy backward to Adam (Lk. 3:23-38) His purpose is to show Christ as the Redeemer of lost men.

Importance of Christ’s Family Tree: •

It proves Christ’s real humanity All the people listed are human beings, real people. Jesus was born as a little baby and he was completely human. He had a human body, human needs and weaknesses. He was hungry, thirsty, and tired.

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It proves Christ’s right to be King A king must have the right to rule. It is a birthright. Kings are not elected by popular vote or personal choice. Genealogies were very important to the nation Israel. For example, when Israel returned from the captivity, there was a record of the legitimate descendants of Levi to determine who was authorized to serve as priests (Ezra 2:62). The enemies of Christ could have checked the genealogies to see if His claim to be king was legitimate. They never did question His genealogy and right to rule.

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It shows how God uses people to accomplish His plan God used different people at different times. God can and does use groups and nations, but He often works through individuals.

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It reveals God’s grace overcoming man’s sin

Scripture records how God fulfilled His plan in spite of man’s repeated sin and failure. God’s grace is clearly seen in many people found in this family tree (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Jacob, Judah, David, Solomon, Rehoboam). Matthew 1:7-11 mentions 14 kings, some of whom were very wicked. Joram, Ahaz, and Manasseh worshiped idols, were involved in child sacrifice, and completely turned away from God. Can you imagine these men in the Messiah’s family tree? This is nothing less than a powerful testimony to God’s amazing grace. Another notable person in the genealogy is Jeconiah (vs. 11). A curse on him prohibited any of his descendants from the throne of David forever (Jer. 22:30). Since Jesus was heir through Joseph to the royal line of descent, but not an actual son of Joseph and thus not a physical descendant through this line, the curse bypassed him (MacArthur Study Bible). •

It shows that human goodness is not inherited In this family tree we find good kings and bad kings. Not one of the good kings was able to pass on his goodness to his son. Neither was any evil king able to prevent his son from being a good king. Every man was responsible for his own actions and choices.

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It proves God’s faithfulness to His promises Matthew makes three references to the Jewish captivity in Babylon (vs. 11, 12, 17). The point is that only God could have spared the nation during their dispersion. The Babylonians conquered Israel and then scattered the Jews throughout their vast empire. Their intention was to destroy their national identity and loyalty to the homeland. Yet God preserved Israel and Messiah’s family tree through many generations. Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Highlights from Christ’s Family Tree: 1. The genealogy begins with two important men The terms “son of David” and “son of Abraham” mean He was a descendant of David and Abraham. Abraham and David were both impressive, yet sinful men. Abraham was considered the father of the Jewish people (Gen. 12). He was a man of faith (Rom. 4). Yet for all his greatness, Abraham was a sinner and the Bible reveals his failures. For example, he lied about his wife Sarah on two different occasions, bringing shame on himself and the God he claimed to serve. David’s sins are revealed as well. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed, yet God chose him as a forefather of Christ the King. 2. The genealogy includes four unlikely women It was unusual for women to be named in genealogies. Tamar (vs. 3), Rahab (vs. 5), Ruth (vs. 5), and Bathsheba (vs. 6) all had moral failure, but God’s grace salvaged and transformed them as part of redemptive history. Tamar was a Canaanite woman, the daughter-in-law of Judah. She disguised herself as a prostitute and had an immoral relationship with Judah (Gen. 38). From that illicit affair twin sons were born, Perez and Zerah, who are also mentioned in Christ’s family tree (vs. 3). Rahab was also a Gentile, known in the Bible as “Rahab the harlot” (Josh. 2). Ruth was a Gentile who lived in Moab. Her ancestors, the Moabites, were the descendants of Lot from the incestuous relationship of Lot and his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Moabites were bitter enemies of Israel, but Ruth was graciously brought into the family line of Jesus when she married Boaz, her kinsmanredeemer. She was the grandmother of King David. Bathsheba is not mentioned by name in the genealogy, but only as the wife of Uriah. She was the mother of King Solomon.

3. The genealogy mentions three time periods The first period is from Abraham to David. This was the time of the patriarchs (Abrahan, Isaac, and Jacob), Moses, Joshua, and the judges. It was a period of wandering, enslavement, law-giving, rebellion, murmuring, and divine deliverance. The second period is from David to the Babylonian captivity. This was the time when Israel insisted on having a king like the nations around them. Many of these kings led them away from God to idols. It was a period of spiritual decline, tragedy, war, ending with the collapse of the kingdom and destruction of Jerusalem. The third period is from the Babylonian captivity to Christ. When Israel was taken into a foreign land, they suffered and were frustrated for many years. During the 400 years before Christ, God sent no prophet to speak to His people and no scripture was written. This period between the Old and New Testaments was known as 400 “silent years.” God still preserved them and eventually sent Christ to restore His people and rule over them. 4. The genealogy concludes with one special woman Mary was an ordinary young woman that God chose for a special purpose. Notice the special wording of verse 16 to indicate that Jesus was born of Mary alone and not the physical offspring of Mary and Joseph. The list begins in verse 2 with the word “begat” and continues through verse 16. You would expect the text to say that Joseph begat Jesus, but it does not say that. This is the only time in the genealogy where the word “begat” is not used. Matthew makes it clear that Joseph is the husband of Mary, but not the father of Jesus. The genealogy establishes Christ’s claim to the throne of David as Joseph’s legal heir. He was the Christ (the Messiah, Anointed One). We will learn more about Mary in our next lesson and we will consider the significant record of Christ’s virgin birth.

Gospel of Matthew Matthew 1:1-17 The King’s Family Tree Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Christ and King. The opening genealogy documents Christ’s credentials as Israel’s Messiah and King and the rest of the gospel continues this theme. As bookends to the story of His life, Matthew ironically reveals Christ as King of the Jews through the testimony of Gentiles: •

The testimony of________________________________________________ (Mt. 2:2)

•

The testimony of______________________________________________ (Mt. 27:37)

Only two of the four gospels record Christ’s genealogy (Matthew and Luke). Mark presents Christ as the ultimate servant and the genealogy of a servant is not important. On the other hand, John presents Christ as the eternal Son of God who transcends all human genealogy. Both Matthew and Luke record His genealogy. Matthew’s listing is not exhaustive but selective, skipping over several generations between well-known people. •

Matthew traces Christ’s genealogy_______________________________ (Mt. 1:1-17)

•

Luke traces Christ’s genealogy_________________________________ (Lk. 3:23-38)

Importance of Christ’s Family Tree: •

It proves______________________________________________________________ All the people listed are human beings, real people. Jesus was born as a little baby and he was completely human.

•

It proves______________________________________________________________ A king must have the right to rule. It is a birthright. Kings are not elected by popular vote or personal choice.

•

It shows how__________________________________________________________ God used different people at different times. God can and does use groups and nations, but He often works through individuals.

•

It reveals_____________________________________________________________ Scripture records how God fulfilled His plan in spite of man’s repeated sin and failure. God’s grace is clearly seen in many people found in this family tree (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Jacob, Judah, David, Solomon, Rehoboam). Matthew 1:7-11 mentions 14 kings, some of whom were very wicked. Joram, Ahaz, and Manasseh worshiped idols, were involved in child sacrifice, and completely turned away from God. Can you imagine these men in the Messiah’s family tree? This is nothing less than a powerful testimony to God’s amazing grace. Another notable person in the genealogy is Jeconiah (vs. 11). A curse on him prohibited any of his descendants from the throne of David forever (Jer. 22:30). Since Jesus was heir through Joseph to the

royal line of descent, but not an actual son of Joseph and thus not a physical descendant through this line, the curse bypassed him (MacArthur Study Bible). •

It shows that___________________________________________________________ In this family tree we find good kings and bad kings. Not one of the good kings was able to pass on his goodness to his son. Neither was any evil king able to prevent his son from being a good king. Every man was responsible for his own actions and choices.

•

It proves______________________________________________________________ Matthew makes three references to the Jewish captivity in Babylon (vs. 11, 12, 17). The point is that only God could have spared the nation during their dispersion.

Highlights from Christ’s Family Tree: 1. The genealogy begins with___________________________________________________ The terms “son of David” and “son of Abraham” mean He was a descendant of David and Abraham. Abraham and David were both impressive, yet sinful men. 2. The genealogy includes______________________________________________________ It was unusual for women to be named in genealogies. Tamar (vs. 3), Rahab (vs. 5), Ruth (vs. 5), and Bathsheba (vs. 6) all had moral failure, but God’s grace salvaged and transformed them as part of redemptive history. 3. The genealogy mentions_____________________________________________________ The first period is from Abraham to David. This was the time of the patriarchs (Abrahan, Isaac, and Jacob), Moses, Joshua, and the judges. It was a period of wandering, enslavement, law-giving, rebellion, murmuring, and divine deliverance. The second period is from David to the Babylonian captivity. This was the time when Israel insisted on having a king like the nations around them. Many of these kings led them away from God to idols. It was a period of spiritual decline, tragedy, war, ending with the collapse of the kingdom and destruction of Jerusalem. The third period is from the Babylonian captivity to Christ. When Israel was taken into a foreign land, they suffered and were frustrated for many years. During the 400 years before Christ, God sent no prophet to speak to His people and no scripture was written. This period between the Old and New Testaments was known as 400 “silent years.” God still preserved them and eventually sent Christ to restore His people and rule over them. 4. The genealogy concludes with_________________________________________________ Mary was an ordinary young woman that God chose for a special purpose. Notice the special wording of verse 16 to indicate that Jesus was born of Mary alone and not the physical offspring of Mary and Joseph. The list begins in verse 2 with the word “begat” and continues through verse 16. You would expect the text to say that Joseph begat Jesus, but it does not say that. This is the only time in the genealogy where the word “begat” is not used. Matthew makes it clear that Joseph is the husband of Mary, but not the father of Jesus. The genealogy establishes Christ’s claim to the throne of David as Joseph’s legal heir. He was the Christ (the Messiah, Anointed One).