Presentation of the King
(Matthew 1:1 – 2:23)
Genesis of Jesus Christ
γενεσεως=genesis means origins or generations, and is an important word used many times as an introduction in the Book of Genesis. Here this same word is introducing the reader to the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
For Jesus to qualify as the Messiah by the Jews, He must be descended from King David and Abraham. Thus, it is important for Matthew to mention this fact.
Five Women
While the list of male descendants stand out, five women are mentioned for the purpose of grace and redemption by a kinsman (ga’al).
1) Tamar whose name means palm tree, a symbol of Israel, was a woman of faith. After her father-in-law Judah defaulted on his promise of giving his youngest son to her in a levirate marriage, she played the veiled harlot and succeeded in capturing Judah as her kinsman-redeemer. Never mind this action wasn’t exactly kosher by later Levitical standards, but it was allowable in the Canaanite-Hittite culture that they were living in at the time.
2) Rachab of Jericho hid the Israeli spies in return of her life. Hanging the scarlet line from her house, she and her family were spared. The scarlet line represented redemption. Salmon served as her kinsman-redeemer, not in the literal sense of familial relationship, but in the sense that her inheritance came through her marriage to Salmon.
3) Ruth, a Moabite woman, who by faith followed her Israeli mother-in-law to Bethlehem. Eventually, she married Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. In fact, the whole narrative of Boaz and Ruth foreshadows Christ redeeming his people.
4) “Her of Uriah” is mentioned because David unintentionally became a kinsman-redeemer for Uriah. Although his sins were grievously immoral, David’s became the kinsmen-redeemer as Uriah was remembered by God.
5) Mary, who was an only child, had inheritance rights as long as she married within the tribe. Being Mary’s kinsman-redeemer, Joseph was a foreshadow of Christ, our kinsman-redeemer.
Mary's Genealogy
Traditionally and historically, Mary is the only child of Joachim and Anna. Concerning tribal inheritance, Mary will inherit any land owned by her father Joachim, as long as she marries within the tribe of Judah. More than likely, her marriage has been prearranged by her father to Joseph, a much older man.
Because Mary is able to inherit directly as a female, Matthew lists her along with Joseph, her kinsman, rather than just list her husband. This inheritance right also will necessitate her being enrolled personally, which is why she has to make the arduous journey to Bethlehem during her pregnancy.
While Joseph’s genealogy is also traced by Luke, Matthew is giving both the biological lineage of Joseph and Mary, and their kinsman relationship. Can you see why the lineage of Jesus is traced directly from Mary through her kinsman Joseph and her grandfather Jacob to King David? She is the one who is the seed carrier. Remember, Matthew is presenting the lineage from a Jewish perspective.
14 x 3 = 42
One problem of fourteen generations thrice, should give forty-two names, and yet traditional translations give us forty-one names. However, the Aramaic states: “Jacob fathered Joseph, the kinsman of Mariam, from whom was born Yeshua who is called the Messiah.” The proper translation now gives us forty-two names with Mary listed as part of the lineage of Christ. (See Genealogy Chart on the left.)
Scripture Reading (BPV)
Mt. 1:1-17
1 Book of genesis of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers,
3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah from Tamar, and Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram,
4 and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
5 and Salmon begat Boaz from Rahab, and Boaz begat Obed from Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse,
6 and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon, from her of Uriah,
7 and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa,
8 and Asa begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Uzziah,
9 and Uzziah begat Jotham, and Jotham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekiah,
10 and Hezekiah begat Manasseh, and Manasseh begat Amon, and Amon begat Josiah,
11 and Josiah begat Jeconiah and his brethren, upon the captivity to Babylon.
12 And after the captivity to Babylon, Jeconiah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel,
13 and Zerubbabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor,
14 and Azor begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud,
15 and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob,
16 and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband-kinsman of Mary, from whom (f.) was brought forth Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 Whereas, all the generations from Abraham until David, fourteen generations; and from David until the captivity to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the captivity to Babylon until the Christ, fourteen generations.
Genealogy from Abraham to Jesus
Omitted Names
In Matthew’s genealogy list of Jesus, five names are omitted. In the genealogy from Joram to Uziah (1st column), the three kings who were descended from the evil queen Athaliah are omitted. From Josiah to Jeconiah (2nd column), Jehoikim, who was evil is not listed. From Matthan to Jesus (3rd column), Joachim is not mentioned in the Gospels, but only in historical writings.
1:18-2:23 The Birth of the Messiah
1:18-25 Birth of Jesus
Why Nazareth?
Have you ever wondered why the families of Joseph and Mary had moved from Bethlehem in Southern Judea to Nazareth in Northern Israel? Why? When? Although Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament, archaeology points that it was destroyed at the time of the Assyrian invasion on Northern Israel in the 8th century BC. Nazareth lay unoccupied for 500 years. During the 2nd-1st centuries BC, turmoil came upon Israel. In the 2nd century BC, the Greeks sought to suppress the worship to God. Pompey invaded in 63 BC, and then Herod set up residency in Judea in 36 BC. Although the ancestral home of the clan of David was Bethlehem of Judea, some families who were descendants of King David, had moved away to the north and established Nazareth as a refuge from King Herod. The Gospel story about Jesus Christ begins in this village of Nazareth.
Route Of Travel
More than likely, the couple would have gone down to the Jordan or down towards the Mediterannean Sea and taken a southward route. Then they would have gone up to Jerusalem, and to Bethlehem.
Fleeing from Herod, they would have taken one of the routes to Egypt.
Returning to Nazareth, they probably stayed on the Coastal Route, known as the Via Maris.
Connecting the Dots
Both accounts of the birth of Christ in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, begin with Joseph and Mary in Nazareth, who travel to Bethlehem, and return to Nazareth. However, Luke wrote that the family went from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, and Matthew wrote that the family went from Bethlehem to Egypt. Both accounts are correct.
After travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the family stayed in Bethlehem at least six months. In Luke’s account, Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem for her purification according to the laws of Moses, but they do return to Bethlehem. In Matthew’ account, a few months later Joseph and Mary fled Bethlehem for Egypt. Returning from Egypt, Joseph and Mary went to Nazareth. While Matthew omits the story of the family going to Jerusalem, Luke omits the story of them going to Egypt. However, if you connect the dots, their travels are as such:
Nazareth
Bethlehem
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Egypt
Nazareth
Betrothal
A betrothal was a period of time when a man and a woman pledged themselves to marriage. Along with their families, they entered into a written agreement of marriage called a ketubah. Each party contributed financially. While the groom’s father gave a mohar, a bridal price or ransom, to the father of the bride, the groom gave a matan, a gift, to the bride, and the bride’s father provided her with a shiluhim, a dowry, for her future security. If she died before having children, the dowry was returned to her father; otherwise, her children inherited it. To terminate a betrothal required going through a legal divorce. Ideally, this marriage contract protected both parties. Though the betrothal period was flexible, the average time was a year. Until they united in marriage, celibacy was expected during the betrothal period. Marriage was a covenant sealed by the purity of the partners on their marriage night.
Divorce
If the woman broke the agreement by infidelity during the betrothal period, the man could seek a divorce, recover the mohar and keep her shiluhim by proving her unfaithfulness in a public trial. Standing trial before the Sanhedrin, she would be exposed before all. The priest would tear her clothing to reveal her bosom, undo her hair, and tie an Egyptian robe above her chest. If the man chose a private trial, he would still need two witnesses to sign and validate the divorce. So, complete secrecy of the situation would be nearly impossible.
Thou
I have chosen to use the forms of thou for the singular, but the forms of ye for the plural. Sometimes, it makes a difference if one person or a crowd is being addressed, rather than just relying on context.
Noun Case | Singular | Plural |
Subject | thou | ye |
Possessive | thy, thine | your, yours |
Object | thee | you |
Central Theme: Isaiah Fulfilled
The central theme here is about the fulfillment which was spoken by the prophet of God.
Poured Out
Poured out is used instead of said, because the connotation of ρεω=rheo means to pour out or to flow; thus the words poured out from God.
Received His Wife
Received his wife means that Joseph accepted the last part of the marriage contract by receiving her into his home.
Till
The word till does not imply that Joseph knew his wife. Besides, she would have been unclean for 40 days according to the Laws of Moses.[*] However, the word till does imply that Joseph was free to know his wife after the birth and the 40 days of Mary’s purification. Whether Joseph ever knew Mary or not, is a matter of religious differences.
[*] Leviticus 12:2-4
Firstborn
Firstborn (πρωτοτόκος=prototokos) refers to the one who opens the matrix of the womb. It is also a title referring to birthright. This word does not indicate whether or not Mary had other children.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: For His mother Mary having been betrothed to Joseph before their coming together, she was found being pregnant in her womb from the Holy Spirit.
19 And Joseph her husband, being righteous and unwilling to make her an example, did wish to divorce her privately.
20 But of his pondering these things, behold, an angel of the LORD in a dream appeared to him, saying, “Joseph, son of David, thou should not fear to receive Mary thy wife, for that in her was begotten is of the Holy Spirit.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus, for He shall save his people from their sins.”
22 But all this has come to pass that it should be fulfilled which was poured out by the LORD through the prophet, saying, [1]
23 ‘Behold, the virgin shall be pregnant in her womb, and she shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’, which is being interpreted, ‘With us is God.’
24 But Joseph having been aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the LORD commanded him, and received
his wife,
25 and did not know her till of which she brought forth her Firstborn son, and he called his name Jesus.
[1] Isaiah 7:10-16
2:1-12 The Magi
Theme of Matthew 2
The theme of Matthew 2 is about the antithesis of two kings: Jesus, the newborn king and Herod, the evil king. Prophecy fulfilled, the angel of the Lord, the Magi, and the star are important features in this chapter.
Conception on the 1st of Tishri
Possible Birth of Jesus
Magi Arrival at Bethlehem
Date Chart
Sept. 10, 3 BC Conception of Jesus on
Rosh HaShanah
June 17, 2 BC Birth of Jesus
Dec. 25, 2 BC Magi show up to present gifts
Which Bethlehem
Bethlehem means house of bread.
There are two Bethlehem’s: Bethlehem of Judea designates the Bethlehem near Jerusalem in Judea from the Bethlehem near Nazareth in Zebulun. Mentioned in the Old Testament, Bethlehem in Zebulun was destroyed by the Assyrians, but later became a prosperous city during the early Roman period.
Herod the Great
Herod, an Edomite, was appointed as king in the winter of 39 BC by Octavian and the Roman Senate, Herod then conquered Jerusalem in 36 BC. Although he was a great architect and builder, he was responsible for many brutal acts of murder, including family members. During his last days, Herod executed many, including the Massacre of the Innocents of Bethlehem. He died after the lunar eclipse January 10, 1 BC and before Passover April 7, 1 BC. For further information, please see the web page, Herod.
39 BC Herod appointed as King by the Romans
36 BC Herod conquered Jerusalem
1 BC Herod died
Magi From the East
Magi were astronomers/astrologers and not kings. Daniel was made ruler of the Magi in Babylon, before being taken to Persia.[*] Possibly, from the writings of Daniel the Magi of the East knew when the Christ child would be born.
Just as north is the prominent direction we use, east is the prominent direction of the ancient people living in the Middle East. A location can be southeast, directly east, or northeast and still be considered east.
[*] Dan. 2:48
Star
Star could also mean a wandering planet by the Ancients. The Star that the Wise Men referenced was none other than Tzedech (righteousness, Jupiter). From the 1st of Tishri (September 10) of 3 BC, Tzedech began its interesting course until 2 BC. In the Jewish month of Tishri, Tzedech was seen close to the star Melech (king, Regulus) in the constellation of Aryeh (lion, Leo). The two planets together become the Melech-Tzedech or Melchizedek, king of Righteousness! [*]
Tzedech remained in the constellation of Aryeh, the lion of Judah, for a year. At the time of the birth of Jesus in June, Tzedech and Nogah (brightness, Venus) were so close together to appear as one bright star! By the time the Magi showed up six months later, Tzedech had moved into the constellation of Almah-Bethulah (virgin, Virgo) and was of normal brightness. However, because of retrograde motion, Tzedech appeared to stand still over Bethlehem in the late night before morning on the 25th of December. Not that it was bright, but the Magi who had been following the star’s path knew when to find the Babe, who was no longer in the manger but living in a house. The true reason we celebrate the birth of Christ on this day has to do with the Magi bearing gifts to Him.
Almah-Bethulah = virgin; Virgo (constellation)
Aryeh = lion; Leo (constellation)
Melech = king; Regulus (star)
Nogah = brightness; Venus (planet)
Tzedeh = righteousness; Jupiter (planet)
[*] Genesis 14:18, Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:21
Central Theme: Micah Fulfilled
The central theme here is about the fulfillment which was written by the prophet Micah.
Young Child
In the Greek, παιδιον=paidion means young child, infant. This is why King Herod selected to have the boys under 2 years of age killed.
Worship
Eastern worship involved physical obeisance, prostrating oneself before gods or kings.
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Gold represents the Father, frankincense the Holy Spirit, and myrrh the Christ. As the family was poor indicated by the sacrifice given at the Temple for Mary’s purification, these gifts would have provided them well in the future, especially in their flight to Egypt.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 2:1-12
1 Whereas of Jesus having been begotten in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, Magi
from the East came up into Jerusalem,
2 saying, ‘Where is he having been begotten King of the Jews? For we saw his star in its rising, and we came to worship him.’
3 But Herod the king having heard, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him,
4 and having gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was learning from them where the Christ is begotten.
5 But they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet, [2]
6 And thou, Bethlehem, land of Judah, thou are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of thee shall come out one leading, who shall shepherd My people Israel.’
7 Then Herod, privately having called the Magi, understood thoroughly from them the time of the appearing star.
8 And having sent them to Bethlehem, he said, ‘Having gone, inquire ye exactly concerning the young Child, but whenever ye may have found him, report to me, so that I also having come may worship him.’
9 But having heard from the king, they went, and behold, the star which they saw in its rising, went before them, till having come, it stood over where the young child was.
10 And having seen the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy,
11 and having come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary his mother, and having fallen down they worshiped him, and having opened their treasures they presented to Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 and having a warning been received in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew through another way into their own country.
[2] Micah 5:2
2:13-15 The Flight into Egypt
Angel
An angel was necessary to warn Joseph, since he did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and because of the importance of protecting the young child. Joseph is a very Godly man, which is why he is receptive to the things of God and was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus.
Central Theme: Egypt
The central theme here is about the flight into Egypt. Notice that Joseph obeyed immediately. He would have been aware of the immediate danger that King Herod posed.
Out of Egypt
If the family left Bethlehem right after the Magi left, and Herod died before Passover, they would have been in Egypt for a few months. Just as God called the Israelites out of Egypt, He is calling the Christ Child out, too!
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 2:13-15
13 Whereas of their having withdrawn, behold, an angel of the LORD does appear in a dream to Joseph, saying, ‘Having roused, take ye up the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there till I may speak to thee, for Herod is intending to seek the young child to destroy it.’
14 But he having aroused, took up the young child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt;
15 And he was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled that was poured out by the LORD through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I did call my Son.’ [3]
[3] Hosea 11:1
2:16-18 Herod Slaughters the Young Boys
Massacre of the Innocents
The Magi would have reported the possibility of September 10, 3 BC or even June 17, 2 BC as possible dates for the birth of Christ. To make sure the young child is not missed in his evil plan, Herod ordered the slaying of all male boys under the age of two.
Bethlehem was a small village, and the estimate of young male children under two could be less than twnety. Of course, every neighbor would have been incensed with Herod’s dirty deed. Because of the few who were killed, this event was not recorded in history nor reported to Augustus.
Central Theme: Jeremiah Fulfilled
The central theme here is about the fulfillment which was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah.
Ramah
While Ramah is about five miles north of Jerusalem, Bethlehem lies about five miles south of Jerusalem. As Jacob and his family were in route toward Bethlehem, Rachel died at Ramah during childbirth. During the days of Jeremiah, Rachel is depicted as weeping for her children, those from Jerusalem who are gathered near her burial spot to be deported to Babylon[*]. Matthew uses the same verse showing Rachel weeping for the baby boys who are slaughtered by King Herod.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 2:16-18
16 Then Herod, having seen that he was mocked by the Magi, was extremely enraged, and having dispatched, he slew all the young male children in Bethlehem;
and in all her borders, from two years and under, according to the time which he understood thoroughly from the Magi.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was poured out through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, [4]
18 ‘A voice in Ramah was heard, a weeping and much lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children, and she was unable to be comforted, because they are not.’
[4] Jeremiah 31:15
2:19-23 Returning to Nazareth
Herod's Death
Herod died after the lunar eclipse January 10, 1 BC and before Passover April 7, 1 BC. His kingdom was divided among his three sons and his sister. For more information about Herod, see the forthcoming subsection.
Appears to Joseph in Egypt
The Holy Family would not have needed to stay very long in Egypt.
Jesus is still referred to as a young child when the family returns to Israel.
Archelaus
Archelaus had just killed 3000 Pharisees on Passover (April 7, 1 BC). No wonder, it would be too dangerous for Joseph to relocate in Bethlehem with the young child and his mother.
Archelaus, the son of Herod, is known to be more ruthless than his father. Joseph with his family withdraws to Galilee, which is ruled by Herod Antipas, the brother of Archelaus.
A Nazarene
Jesus is called a Nazarene, not because he was from Nazareth, but because he is the Branch (נצר = ntzr).
Parallelism
Verses 19-20, 22 focus on Herod and Archelaus, and a divine dream to Joseph.
Verses 21, 23 focus on returning into the land of Israel, and dwelling in Nazareth.
Scripture Reading - BPV
Mt. 2:19-23
19 Whereas of Herod having died, behold, an angel of the LORD in a dream appears to Joseph in Egypt,
20 saying, ‘Having risen, take up the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for they have died, those seeking the life of the young child.’
21 And he having risen, took up the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But having heard that Archelaus does reign over Judea in the place of Herod his father, he was afraid to go there, and having a warning been received in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
23 and coming, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was poured out through the prophets, so that ‘A Nazarene he shall be called.’ [5]
[5] Isaiah 11:1 Netzer is a Branch.