TITLE. The. The titles of the N.T. books in the Authorized Version and Revised Version form no part of the books themselves in the original text.
Gospel. Anglo-Saxon God spell = a narrative of God: i.e. a life of Christ. The English word "Gospel" has no connection with the Greek euaggelion, which denotes good news, and was in use as = joyful tidings, &c, B.C. 9, in an inscription in the market-place of Priene (now Samsun Kale, an ancient city of Ionia, near Mycale), and in a letter (papyrus)250years later; both are now in the Royal Library in Berlin.
according to = i.e. recorded by. Greek. kata. App-104. The title "Saint", as given in the Authorized Version and Revised Version, is a mistranslation of the headings found only in the later MSS., which are derived from Church lectionaries; and should have been rendered "THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW". The Revised Version reads "The Gospel according to Matthew"; L Tr. T and WH read "according to Matthew"; B omits the word hagion = holy.
Matthew. See App-141. Genesis book comments. Occurs only in connection with the first man and the second man ([ Gen 5:1] and [ Mat 1:1]).
generation = genealogy or pedigree. See App-99. The same meaning as the Hebrew expression ([ Gen 5:1]).
Jesus Christ: i.e. the humbled One now exalted. See App-98.
the Son of David. Because promised directly to David ([ 2Sa 7:12], [ 2Sa 7:16]). The expression occurs nine times of Christ in Matt. ([ Mat 1:1]; [ Mat 9:27]; [ Mat 12:23]; [ Mat 15:22]; [ Mat 20:30], [ Mat 20:31]; [ Mat 21:9], [ Mat 21:15]; [ Mat 22:42]). Compare [ Psa 132:11]. [ Isa 11:1]. [ Jer 23:5]. [ Act 13:23]. [ Rom 1:3]. David, heir to the throne. App-98. The name of David is in the commencement of the NT. and in the end also ([ Rev 22:16]).
the Son of Abraham. Because promised to him ([ Luk 1:73]), and received with joy by him as by David ([ Joh 8:56]. [ Joh 22:43]). Compare [ Gen 12:3]; [ Gen 22:18]. [ Gal 1:3], [ Gal 1:16]. Heir to the land ([ Gen 15:18]). App-98.
Abraham.[ Gen 21:2], [ Gen 21:3]. [ Rom 9:7], [ Rom 9:9].
begat. Greek. gennao. When used of the father = to beget or engender; and when used of the mother it means to bring forth into the world; but it has not the intermediate sense, to conceive. In verses: [ Mat 1:2-16] it is translated begat, and should be so in verses: [ Mat 1:16] and [ Mat 1:20] also. In [ Mat 1:1] the noun genesis means birth.
Jacob. [ Gen 25:26].
Judas = Judah. [ Gen 29:35]; [ Gen 49:10].
and his brethren. Because the promise was restricted to the house of Judah; not extended to the whole house of Abraham or of Isaac.
Phares and Zara. Hebrew Pharez and Zarah. Twins. [ Gen 38:29], [ Gen 38:30].
Thamar. [ Gen 38:11-30]. The first of four women in this genealogy. The other three were Rahab, [ Mat 1:5]; Ruth, [ Mat 1:5]; Bathsheba, [ Mat 1:6]. Note the Introversion: Hebrew, Gentile; Gentile, Hebrew: showing the condescension of Christ in taking our nature.
Esrom. Hebrew Hezron. [ 1Ch 2:4], [ 1Ch 2:6].
Aramaean Hebrew Ram. [Rth 4:19]. [ 1Ch 2:11].
Aminadab = Amminadab. [Rth 4:19]. [ 1Ch 2:10].
Naasson. Hebrew Nahshon. [Rth 4:20]. [ Exo 6:23].
Salmon. Hebrew Salma.
Booz. Hebrew Boaz. [Rth 4:21]. [ 1Ch 2:12].
Rachab. Eng. Rahab. [ Jos 2:1]; [ Jos 6:25]. See note on Thamar, [ Mat 1:3].
Obed of Ruth. [Rth 4:21]. [ 1Ch 2:12].
Jesse. [Rth 4:22]. [ 1Ch 2:12].
David the king. [Rth 4:22]. This addition to the name of David is because of the object of Matthew’s Gospel. See the Structure on p. 1305. [ Luk 1:32].
the king. Omitted by all the critical Greek texts enumerated and named in App-94.
Solomon. [ 2Sa 12:24]. The line in Matthew is the regal line through Solomon, exhausted in Joseph. The line in Luke is the legal line through Nathan, an elder brother ([ 2Sa 5:14]), exhausted in Mary. If Christ be not risen, therefore, all prophecies must fail.
her, &c. See note on Thamar, [ Mat 1:3].
Urias = Uriah ([ 2Sa 12:24]).
Roboam = Rehoboam ([ 1Ki 11:43]). Note that in this case and in the three following: Rehoboam (a bad father) begat a bad son (Abijah); Abijah (a bad father) begat a good son (Asa); Asa (a good father) begat a good son (Jehoshaphat); Jehoshaphat (a good father) begat a bad son (Jehoram).
Abia = Abijam ([ 1Ki 14:31]); Abijah ([ 2Ch 12:16]). See note on [ Mat 1:7].
Asa. [ 1Ki 15:8].
Josaphat = Jehoshaphat ( 2Ch 17-18).
Joram = Jehoram ([ 2Ki 8:16]. [ 2Ch 21:1]). Three names are omitted here. All are not necessary in a royal genealogy. In [ Mat 1:1] three names are sufficient.
The four names are:
1. Ahaziah ([ 2Ki 8:27]. [ 2Ch 22:1-9]).
2. Joash or Jehoash ([ 2Ki 11:2-21]; [ 2Ki 12:1-20]. [ 2Ch 24:1-25]).
3. Amaziah ([ 2Ki 14:8-20]. [ 2Ch 25:1], [ 2Ch 25:8]).
4. Jehoiakim ([ 2Ki 23:36-37]; [ 2Ki 24:1-6]. [ 2Ch 36:5-8]).
Ozias = Uzziah ([ 2Ch 26:1]), or Azariah ([ 2Ki 14:21]).
Joatham = Jotham ([ 2Ki 15:7]. [ 2Ch 26:23]).
Achaz = Ahaz ([ 2Ki 15:38]. [ 2Ch 27:9]).
Ezekias = Hezekiah ([ 2Ki 16:20]. [ 2Ch 28:27]).
Manasses = Manasseh. ([ 2Ki 20:21]. [ 2Ch 32:33].)
Amon. ([ 2Ki 21:18]. [ 2Ch 33:20].)
Josias = Josiah ([ 2Ki 21:24]. [ 2Ch 33:20]).
Jechonias = Jehoiachin ([ 2Ki 24:8]).
they were carried away = removed. Greek. metoikesia = the Babylonian transference. A standing term. Occurs only in Matthew. It began with Jehoiakim, was continued in Jechoniah, and completed in Zedekiah (2 Kings 24 and 25. 2 Chronicles 36).
they were brought = the carrying away, as in [ Mat 1:11].
Jechonias, [ Jer 22:30], does not say "no sons"; but, "no sons to sit on the throne of David".
Salathiel = Shealtiel, the real son of Assir; and hence was the grandson of Jeconiah ([ 1Ch 3:17-19]), born "after" (see [ Mat 1:12]).
Zorobabel. The real son of Pedaiah ([ 1Ch 3:19]), but the legal son of Salathiel (compare [ Deu 25:5]). See [ Ezr 3:2]; [ Ezr 5:2]. [ Neh 12:1].
of whom. Greek. ex hes, feminine. [Mary].
born = brought forth. Greek. gennao. Spoken, here, of the mother. See note on "begat" ([ Mat 1:2]).
Jesus. See App-98.
Christ = Anointed. Hebrew Messiah. See App-98.
So. Verse 17 is the Figure of speech Symperasma. App-6.
all the generations. See the Structure, above. The first begins with the call of Abraham, and ends with the call of David the layman ([ 1Sa 16:13]). The second begins with the building of the Temple, and ends with the destruction of it. The third begins with the nation under the power of Babylon, and ends with it under the power of Rome (the first and fourth of the world-powers of Dan 2).
the: i.e. the generations given above, not all recorded in the O.T. fourteen. It is not stated that there were forty-two, but three fourteens are reckoned in a special manner, as shown in the Structure above. Note the three divisions of the whole period, as in the seventy weeks of Daniel ( Dan 9. App-91).
Now: or, But, in contrast with those mentioned in verses: [ Mat 1:2-16]. Render: "The begetting, then, of Jesus Christ was on this wise (for after His mother was espoused to Joseph, she was found with child) of pneuma hagion". See App-101.
birth = begetting. Greek. gennesis. Occurs only here and [ Luk 1:14], used of the Father.
Jesus (Omit. by Tr. [WH] Rm.)
Christ. Hebrew Messiah. So translated in [ Joh 1:41]; [ Joh 4:25].
on this wise: i.e. not begotten, as in the cases recorded in verses: [ Mat 1:2-16].
was espoused = bad been betrothed. By divine ordering, so that the two lines, through Solomon and Nathan, might be united and exhausted in Messiah. before. Greek. prin. Occurs seven times ([ Mat 26:34], [ Mat 26:75]. [ Mar 14:72]. [ Luk 22:61]; [ Joh 4:49]; [ Joh 8:58]; [ Joh 14:9]); prin e, Occurs seven times ([ Mat 1:18]. [ Mar 14:30]. [ Luk 2:26]; [ Luk 22:34]. [ Act 2:20]; [ Act 7:2]; [ Act 25:16]). In eleven of the fourteen passages where this word occurs the events did take place. In the other three, one was miraculously prevented ([ Joh 4:49]); the day of the Lord is absolutely certain ([ Act 2:20]); the other was legally imperative ([ Act 25:16]).
came together: as in [ 1Co 7:5].
the Holy Ghost. Greek. pneuma hagion = holy spirit: i.e. power from on high. Not "the Holy Spirit". See App-101.
being a just man = though he was a just man (i.e. desirous of obeying the Law).
and = yet.
not. Greek. me. App-105.
not willing = not wishing. Greek. thelo. See App-102.
to make her a publick example = to expose her to shame. L TTr. A WH read deigmatizo instead of para-deigmatizo. Occurs only here and in [ Col 2:15]. This exposure would have necessitated her being stoned to death, according to the Law ([ Deu 22:22]). Compare [ Joh 8:5].
was minded = made up his mind, or determined. Greek. boulomia. See App-102.
put her away = divorce her according to the Law ([ Deu 24:1]).
privily = secretly. By putting a "bill of divorcement into her hand" ([ Deu 24:1]).
he thought: i.e. pondered about or contemplated this step. This was Satan’s assault, as he had assaulted Abraham before ([ Gen 12:11-13]). See App-23.
these things. The two courses open to him in [ Mat 1:19].
the angel of the LORD. The first of three appearances to Joseph in these chapters, p. 1308 ([ Mat 1:20], [ Mat 1:24]; [ Mat 2:13], [ Mat 2:19]).
angel = messenger. The context must always show whether human or Divine.
the LORD = Jehovah. No Art. See App-98.
appeared. Greek. phaino. See App-105.
a dream. Greek. onar. Occurs only in Matt, (here; [ Mat 2:12], [ Mat 2:13], [ Mat 2:19], [ Mat 2:22]; and [ Mat 27:19]). Only six dreams mentioned in N.T. To Joseph ([ Mat 1:20]; [ Mat 2:13], [ Mat 2:19], [ Mat 2:22]); to the wise men ([ Mat 2:12]); and to Pilate’s wife ([ Mat 27:19]).
fear not = Be not afraid. This shows bis condition of mind.
conceived = begotten. Greek. gennao, as in verses: [ Mat 1:2], [ Mat 1:16], [ Mat 1:18].
bring forth. Not the same word as in verses: [ Mat 1:1], [ Mat 1:2], [ Mat 1:16], [ Mat 1:20]. Greek. tiklo. Not "of thee" as in [ Luk 1:35], because not Joseph’s son.
His name. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6= Him.
JESUS. For this type see App-48. The same as the Hebrew Hoshea ([ Num 13:16]) with Jah prefixed = God [our] Saviour, or God Who [is] salvation. Compare [ Luk 2:21]. See App-98.
he = He, and none other, or He is the One Who (emph.)
sins. Greek. hamartia. See App-128.
all = the whole of.
fulfilled. See App-103for the first fulfillment of prophecy in the N.T.
spoken. Greek. to rhethen. By Isaiah to Ahaz ([ Isa 7:13-16];), but afterwards written. of = by. Greek. hupo.
by = through, or by means of. Greek. dia. App-104. [ Mat 1:1].
a virgin. Quoted from [ Isa 7:13-15]. See the notes there. Greek. parthenos, which settles the meaning of the word in [ Isa 7:14]. See
Emmanuel. Occurs only in Matt. See App-98.
knew her. Heb, idiom, and Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for cohabitation. Note the imperfect tense = was not knowing. See App-132.
till. [ Mat 12:46-60]; [ Mat 13:55], [ Mat 13:56], clearly show that she had sons afterwards. See the force of this word heos in [ Mat 28:20], "unto".
her firstborn Son. These words are quoted by Tatian (A.D. 172) and twelve of the Fathers before cent. 4; and are contained in nearly all MSS. except the Vatican and Sinaitic (cent. 4). All the Texts omit "her firstborn" on this weak and suspicious evidence. But there is no question about it in [ Luk 2:7].
he: i.e. Joseph