---
title: "Matthew 1 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible"
description: "Read Matthew 1 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas an"
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/matthew/1"
---

[ Read](/kjv/matthew/1)[ Commentary](/study/matthew/1)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/matthew/1) Audio

 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her *that had been the wife* of Urias;

 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc 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 of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

 17 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.

 18 ¶ 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.

 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just *man*, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

 20 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.

 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

 23 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.

 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
 
[Malachi 4](/study/malachi/4) [Matthew 2](/study/matthew/2)

## Commentary

 To verse 1
 
**The book of the generation -**This is the proper title of the chapter. It is the same as to say, “the account of the ancestry or family, or the genealogical table of Jesus Christ.” The phrase is common in Jewish writings. Compare [Genesis 5:1](/kjv/genesis/5/1). “This is the book of the generations of Adam,” i. e., the genealogical table of the family or descendants of Adam. See also [Genesis 6:9](/kjv/genesis/6/9). The Jews, moreover, as we do, kept such tables of their own families. and it is probable that this was copied from the record of the family of Joseph. 

**Jesus -**See the notes at [Matthew 1:21](/kjv/matthew/1/21). 

**Christ -**The word “Christ” is a Greek word, Χριστός Christos, signifying “anointed.” The Hebrew word, משׁיח mâshı̂yach, signifying the same is “Messiah.” Hence, Jesus is called either the Messiah, or the Christ, meaning the same thing. The Jews speak of the Messiah; Christians speak of him as the Christ. In ancient times, when kings and priests were set apart to their office, they were anointed with oil, [Leviticus 4:3](/kjv/leviticus/4/3); [Leviticus 6:20](/kjv/leviticus/6/20); [Exodus 28:41](/kjv/exodus/28/41); [Exodus 29:7](/kjv/exodus/29/7); [1Sa 9:16](/kjv/1sa/9/16); [1 Samuel 15:1](/kjv/1-samuel/15/1); [2 Samuel 23:1](/kjv/2-samuel/23/1). To anoint, therefore, means often the same as to consecrate, or to set apart to an office. Hence, those thus set apart are said to be anointed, or to be the anointed of God. It is for this reason that the name is given to the Lord Jesus. Compare the notes at [Daniel 9:24](/kjv/daniel/9/24). He was set apart by God to be the King, and High Priest, and Prophet of his people. Anointing with oil was, moreover, supposed to be emblematic of the influences of the Holy Spirit; and since God gave him the Spirit without measure [John 3:34](/kjv/john/3/34), so he is especially called “the Anointed of God.” 

**The Son of David -**The word “son” among the Jews had a great variety of significations. It means literally a son; then a grandson; a descendant: an adopted son; a disciple, or one who is an object of tender affection one who is to us as a son. In this place it means a descendant of David; or one who was of the family of David. It was important to trace the genealogy of Jesus up to David, because the promise had been made that the Messiah should be of his family, and all the Jews expected that it would be so. It would be impossible, therefore, to convince a Jew that Jesus was the Messiah, unless it could be shown that he was descended from David. See [Jeremiah 23:5](/kjv/jeremiah/23/5); [Psalms 132:10-11](/kjv/psalms/132/10-11), compared with [Acts 13:23](/kjv/acts/13/23), and [John 7:42](/kjv/john/7/42). 

**The son of Abraham -**The descendant of Abraham. The promise was made to Abraham also. See [Genesis 12:3](/kjv/genesis/12/3); [Genesis 21:12](/kjv/genesis/21/12); compare [Hebrews 11:13](/kjv/hebrews/11/13); [Galatians 3:16](/kjv/galatians/3/16). The Jews expected that the Messiah would be descended from him; and it was important, therefore, to trace the genealogy up to him also. Though Jesus was of humble birth, yet he was descended from most illustrious ancestors. Abraham, the father of the faithful - “the beauteous model of an Eastern prince,” and David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, the conqueror, the magnificent and victorious leader of the people of God, were both among his ancestors. From these two persons, the most eminent for piety, and the most renowned for their excellencies of all the people of antiquity, sacred or profane, the Lord Jesus was descended; and though his birth and life were humble, yet they who regard an illustrious descent as of value, may find here all that is to be admired in piety, purity, patriotism, splendor, dignity, and renown.

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