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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_1:1
1The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Mat_1:1
NASB "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah,"
NKJV "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ"
NRSV "an account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah"
TEV "This is the family record of Jesus Christ"
NJB "roll of the genealogy of Jesus Christ"
The genealogy (cf. Gen_5:1 or "account," cf. Gen_2:4) is illustrative of God's hand in history fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. The NT is the fulfillment of the OT. In some cultures the use of genealogy is evidence for a trustworthy history.
▣ "the son of David" This was a title for the promised Messiah that emphasized His Jewish royal line from the tribe of Judah (cf. Gen_49:8-12). He was of the seed of woman, Gen_3:15; the seed of Abraham, Gen_22:18; the seed of Judah, Gen_49:10 and the seed of David, 2Sa_7:12-14; 2Sa_7:16. This phrase was a common Messianic designation in Matthew (cf. Mat_9:27; Mat_12:33; Mat_15:22; Mat_20:30-31; Mat_21:9; Mat_21:15; Mat_22:42).
▣ "the son of Abraham" Luke's genealogy takes the line back to Adam. Luke was written for Gentiles, so it emphasizes the common human ancestry (cf. Gen_12:3; Gen_22:18). Matthew was written for Jews, so it focuses on the beginning of the Jewish family, Abram. In Matthew's genealogy "Abraham" and " David" are highlighted by its numerical design (i.e., three groups of 14).