Matthew intro research
Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament
What are Matthew’s themes in chapter one?
Matthew gives the human ancestry of Christ (1–17).
Matthew describes the birth of Christ (18–25).
Matthew describes Jesus as the “root and the offspring of David” (Rev 22:16).
“The root” in that He is eternal God and brought David into being.
The “offspring” in that His humanity is linked to David in His birth (Rom 1:1–4).
What is the significance of Matthew giving the genealogy of Jesus?
- This genealogy is not a dull list of names. It is a record of the faithfulness of God in preserving the children of Abraham as the line through whom Christ could come into the world.
- Matthew’s genealogy is of Joseph, Jesus’ father in the eyes of the law.
- Luke gives Mary’s genealogy.
- Mary and Joseph were both descendants of David.
What is the grace of God in this list of names?
Mattnew 1:3—Tamar (Gen 38)
- Tamar was guilty of whoredom, yet God permitted her to be listed in the ancestry of Christ.
Matthew 1:5—Rahab (Josh 2; Heb 11:31)
- Rahab was both a harlot and a foreigner. She was saved by her faith.
Matthew 1:5—Ruth (Ruth)
- Ruth was a Moabitess; and according to Deut 23:3–6, she was excluded from the nation of Israel.
Matthew 1:6—Bathsheba (2 Sam 12)
- Bathsheba was partner to David’s awful sin, yet God forgave her and permitted her to be one of Christ’s ancestors through Solomon. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom 5:20).
Matthew 1:16—Mary
This genealogy is not complete, of course. It was common among the Jews to leave out unimportant names to help the children remember the lists. Three sets of fourteen names would be easy to remember. All the records were destroyed in A.D. 70 when the temple was ruined. Jesus Christ is the only Jew alive today who can prove His rights to the throne of David.
Intro Reflections:
The genealogy increases my confidence.
I love the historical accuracy of the Bible.
I love the details of the Bible.
The genealogy isn’t revisionist history.
Matthew didn’t remove the blemishes of the family tree.
Matthew didn’t delete Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba or Mary.
It is absolutely amazing how God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled.
It is absolutely amazing how God’s Son is a friend of sinners.
I will lean on “The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament” for Matthew 1:1–17 since it deals primarily with the genealogy of Jesus.
The majority of the time I try not to use outside resources in my priority time so that I will be diligent to study the Scriptures for myself, but there are specific subjects where it is helpful to do the research first and then go through the process of focused thinking, personal application, interactive prayer and life journaling.
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