As all are not agreed about these two genealogies, which are given by Matthew and Luke, we must first see whether both trace the genealogy of Christ from Joseph, or whether Matthew only traces it from Joseph, and Luke from Mary. Those who are of this latter opinion have a plausible ground for their... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Jacob begat Judah and his brethren _While Matthew passes by in silence Ishmael, Abraham’s first-born, and Esau, who was Jacob’s elder brother, he properly assigns a place in the genealogy to the Twelve Patriarchs, on all of whom God had bestowed a similar favor of adoption. He therefore intimates... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Judeah begat Pharez and Zarah by Tamar _This was a prelude to that emptying of himself, (89) of which Paul speaks, (Philippians 2:7). The Son of God might have kept his descent unspotted and pure from every reproach or mark of infamy. But he came into the world to “empty himself, and take upon h... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Begat David the King _In this genealogy, the designation of _King _is bestowed on David alone, because in his person God exhibited a type of the future leader of his people, the Messiah. The kingly office had been formerly held by Saul; but, as he reached it through tumult and the ungodly wishes... [ Continue Reading ]
12._After the Babylonish exile _That is, after the Jews were carried into captivity: for the Evangelist means, that the descendants of David, from being kings, then became exiles and slaves. As that captivity was a sort of destruction, it came to be wonderfully arranged by Divine providence, not onl... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Jesus, who is called Christ _By the surname _Christ, Anointed, _Matthew points out his office, to inform the readers that this was not a private person, but one divinely _anointed _to perform the office of Redeemer. What that anointing was, and to what it referred, I shall not now illustrate at... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Now the birth of Jesus Christ _Matthew does not as yet relate the place or manner of Christ’s birth, but the way in which his heavenly generation was made known to Joseph. First, he says that Mary _was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit _Not that this secret work of God was generally know... [ Continue Reading ]
19._As he was a just man _Some commentators explain this to mean, that Joseph, _because _he was a just man, determined to spare his wife: (98) taking _justice _to be only another name for humanity, or, a gentle and merciful disposition. But others more correctly read the two clauses as contrasted wi... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And while he was considering these things _We see here how seasonably, and, as we would say, at the very point, the Lord usually aids his people. Hence too we infer that, when he appears not to observe our cares and distresses, we are still under his eye. He may, indeed, hide himself, and remain... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And thou shalt call his name JESUS_. I have already explained briefly, but as far as was necessary, the meaning of that word. At present I shall only add, that the words of the angel set aside the dream of those who derive it from the essential name of God, Jehovah; for the angel expresses the r... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Now all this was done _It is ignorant and childish trifling to argue, that the name _Jesus _is given to the Son of God, because he is called _Immanuel _For Matthew does not confine this assertion to the single fact of the name, but includes whatever is heavenly and divine in the conception of Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
23._His name Immanuel _The phrase, _God is with us, _is no doubt frequently employed in Scripture to denote, that he is present with us by his assistance and grace, and displays the power of his hand in our defense. But here we are instructed as to the _manner _in which God communicates with men. Fo... [ Continue Reading ]
24._Joseph, being raised from sleep _The ready performance, which is here described, serves not less to attest the certainty of Joseph’s faith, than to commend his obedience. For, if every scruple had not been removed, and his conscience fully pacified, he would never have proceeded so cheerfully, o... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And knew her not _This passage afforded the pretext for great disturbances, which were introduced into the Church, at a former period, by Helvidius. The inference he drew from it was, that Mary remained a virgin no longer than till her first birth, and that afterwards she had other children by h... [ Continue Reading ]