King James Version
Matthew 1
25 verses with commentary
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
View commentary
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
View commentary
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
View commentary
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
View commentary
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
View commentary
Rahab (Hebrew Rachav, רָחָב) was the Canaanite prostitute of Jericho who hid Israelite spies and confessed faith in Yahweh (Joshua 2:1-21, 6:22-25). Ruth was a Moabite widow who clung to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and declared, "Your God shall be my God" (Ruth 1:16). Both women were foreigners who entered Israel's covenant community through faith, becoming ancestors of David and ultimately Jesus.
Matthew's inclusion of these women (along with Tamar and Bathsheba, vv. 3, 6) demonstrates several crucial theological truths: (1) God's grace extends beyond ethnic Israel to include believing Gentiles; (2) God's redemptive plan operates through unlikely, even scandalous, means; (3) faith, not ethnicity or moral perfection, qualifies one for participation in God's purposes; (4) the Messiah came to save sinners, foreshadowed by His genealogy including those with checkered pasts. This anticipates the gospel's universal scope (Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 2:11-22).
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
View commentary
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
View commentary
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
View commentary
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
View commentary
And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
View commentary
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: Josias: some read, Josias begat Jakim, and Jakim begat Jechonias
View commentary
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
View commentary
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
View commentary
And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
View commentary
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
View commentary
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
View commentary
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
View commentary
The Birth of Jesus
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
View commentary
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
View commentary
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. conceived: Gr. begotten
View commentary
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. JESUS: that is, Saviour, Heb
View commentary
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
View commentary
Behold, a 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. they: or, his name shall be called
View commentary
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
View commentary
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.