The book of the generation of Jesus Christ — That is, strictly speaking, the account of his birth and genealogy. This title therefore properly relates to the verses that immediately follow: but as it sometimes signifies the history of a person, in that sense it may belong to the whole book. If there... [ Continue Reading ]
Of Thamar — St. Matthew adds the names of those women also, that were remarkable in the sacred history.... [ Continue Reading ]
Naasson — Who was prince of the tribe of Judah, when the Israelites entered into Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
Obed begat Jesse — The providence of God was peculiarly shown in this, that Salmon, Boaz, and Obed, must each of them have been near a hundred years old, at the birth of his son here recorded.... [ Continue Reading ]
David the king — Particularly mentioned under this character, because his throne is given to the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehoram begat Uzziah — Jehoahaz, Joash, and Amaziah coming between. So that he begat him mediately, as Christ is mediately the son of David and of Abraham. So the progeny of Hezekiah, after many generations, are called the sons that should issue from him, which he should beget, Isaiah 39:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Josiah begat Jeconiah — Mediately, Jehoiakim coming between. And his brethren — That is, his uncles. The Jews term all kinsmen brethren. About the time they were carried away — Which was a little after the birth of Jeconiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
The husband of Mary — Jesus was generally believed to be the son of Joseph. It was needful for all who believed this, to know, that Joseph was sprung from David. Otherwise they would not allow Jesus to be the Christ. Jesus, who is called Christ — The name Jesus respects chiefly the promise of blessi... [ Continue Reading ]
So all the generations — Observe, in order to complete the three fourteens, David ends the first fourteen, and begins the second (which reaches to the captivity) and Jesus ends the third fourteen. When we survey such a series of generations, it is a natural and obvious reflection, how like the leave... [ Continue Reading ]
A just man — A strict observer of the law: therefore not thinking it right to keep her.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus — That is, a Saviour. It is the same name with Joshua (who was a type of him) which properly signifies, The Lord, Salvation. His people — Israel. And all the Israel of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
They shall call his name Emmanuel — To be called, only means, according to the Hebrew manner of speaking, that the person spoken of shall really and effectually be what he is called, and actually fulfil that title. Thus, Unto us a child is born — and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, t... [ Continue Reading ]
He knew her not, till after she had brought forth — It cannot be inferred from hence, that he knew her afterward: no more than it can be inferred from that expression, 2 Samuel 6:23, Michal had no child till the day of her death, that she had children afterward. Nor do the words that follow, the fir... [ Continue Reading ]