What is the meaning of Matthew 1:1? This is the record - Matthew opens with confident, eyewitness certainty. The phrase signals a historical document, not folklore (cf. Luke 1:3–4: “to write you an orderly account… so that you may know the certainty”). - It invites readers to lean in: God has acted in real time, through real people. - The word “record” also echoes 1 John 1:1–3, where the apostles declare what they have “heard,” “seen,” and “touched.” Scripture anchors faith in verifiable events. of the genealogy - Genealogies in Scripture trace God’s faithfulness across generations (Genesis 5:1; 10:1; 1 Chronicles 1–9). - For Israel, lineage preserved tribal inheritance and priestly legitimacy (Numbers 1:18; Ezra 2:62). - Matthew’s genealogy proves Jesus fits every covenant requirement. It links: • Creation to Abraham (promise) • Abraham to David (kingdom) • David to the exile (discipline) • Exile to Christ (deliverance) - By starting with a genealogy, Matthew shows that God’s long-range plan culminates in Jesus. of Jesus Christ - “Jesus” means “The LORD saves” (Matthew 1:21); “Christ” is the title “Messiah,” God’s anointed King. - The verse identifies the central figure: not another prophet, but the promised Savior (John 20:31: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”). - Acts 2:36 declares, “God has made this Jesus… both Lord and Christ.” Matthew will unfold how His words, works, death, and resurrection validate that claim. the son of David - God swore an everlasting throne to David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:3-4). - Prophets amplified that hope: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end… on David’s throne” (Isaiah 9:6-7). - By calling Jesus “Son of David,” Matthew affirms: • He is rightful heir to Israel’s throne (Matthew 21:9; 22:42-45). • He fulfills messianic expectations of a righteous, victorious King (Jeremiah 23:5-6). • He will reign eternally, not temporarily. the son of Abraham - God’s covenant with Abraham promised a land, a nation, and global blessing (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18). - “Son of Abraham” spotlights Jesus as: • The seed through whom “all nations will be blessed” (Galatians 3:8, 16). • The embodiment of faith and obedience, succeeding where Israel faltered (Matthew 4:1-11 parallels Israel’s wilderness test). - Matthew thus signals that Jesus’ mission includes Gentiles from the outset (Matthew 8:11; 28:19). summary Matthew 1:1 serves as a headline for the whole Gospel. It testifies that the life of Jesus is a historically grounded record, the culmination of God’s covenant story. He is the promised Christ, heir to David’s throne, and the long-awaited descendant of Abraham who brings salvation to Israel and blessing to the world. |
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