Matthew 1 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew 1
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Gospel of Matthew 1:1-9,12 on the recto side of Papyrus 1, written about AD 250.
Book	Gospel of Matthew
Category	Gospel
Christian Bible part	New Testament
Order in the Christian part	1

Matthew 1 is the very first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament part of the Bible. It tells two important stories. The first part shares the genealogy (or family tree) of Jesus. It traces his family all the way back to Abraham and then to his legal father, Joseph, who was married to Mary, Jesus' mother.

The second part of the chapter, starting at verse 18, describes how Jesus was born. This part explains the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, meaning Mary became pregnant through a miracle, not in the usual way.

What Matthew 1 Is About

The original text of Matthew 1 was written in Koine Greek, which was a common language in ancient times. This chapter has 25 verses, which are like small paragraphs or sections.

Jesus' Family Tree

The family tree of Jesus, often shown as a Jesse Tree, connects him to King David.

Matthew's Gospel begins by showing Jesus' family tree, also known as his genealogy. This list is divided into three main parts, each with 14 generations. It starts with Abraham, goes through King David, and then leads all the way to Joseph, who was Mary's husband and Jesus' legal father.

The very first words of the Gospel call Jesus "Jesus Christ." This shows that the book was written for Jewish readers, proving that Jesus came from the family line of Abraham and the royal family of David. This was important because the messiah (a special leader) was expected to come from David's family.

Even though Joseph was Jesus' legal father, the Gospel also says that Jesus is actually the Son of God. Some scholars believe that Joseph officially adopting Jesus (by naming him) was a key event. This adoption would have made Jesus a legal heir to David's family line.

The family tree starts with Abraham, who is seen as the ancestor of many nations. It then lists important figures from the Old Testament like Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. Interestingly, it also mentions Judah's brothers, even though they aren't directly in the family line. Some think this was to show that God's people are like a big family or brotherhood.

There are some differences between the family tree in Matthew and the one in Luke 3. Matthew's list also leaves out a few names that are known from other historical records. Unlike most family trees in the Bible, Matthew's list includes four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.

Some people believe that Matthew's list focuses on Jesus' royal family line through Joseph, while Luke's list might show a different family line. Others think that Matthew's list is a way to highlight four big moments in Israel's history: God's promise to Abraham, God's promise to David, the time when the Jewish people were sent away to Babylon, and most importantly, the coming of the Messiah.

How Jesus Was Born

Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 and a part of chapter 2 in the Geneva Bible (16th century).

The second part of Matthew 1 tells the story of how Jesus was born. While the Gospel of Luke also talks about Jesus' birth, Matthew focuses more on Joseph.

The story explains that Mary was engaged to Joseph. Before they were officially married and living together, Joseph found out Mary was pregnant. He was a good man and didn't want to shame her, so he planned to quietly end their engagement.

However, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to marry Mary. The angel explained that Mary's baby was from the Holy Spirit, meaning it was a miracle from God. The angel also told Joseph that Mary would have a son and he should name him Jesus, because Jesus would save his people from their sins.

The angel's message also mentioned a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah (from the Old Testament). This prophecy said, "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." This meant that Jesus' birth would fulfill an old prophecy, showing that God was with his people.

After waking up, Joseph did exactly what the angel told him. He married Mary and did not have a physical relationship with her until after Jesus was born. He then named the baby Jesus, just as the angel had instructed.

Verses

Full Text

Here is the full text of Matthew chapter 1 from the King James Version of the Bible:

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 public 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.

Images for kids

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  Matthew 13,14-20 on verso side of Papyrus 1 (~250 AD).

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  Matthew 1:1-17 in Syriac Sinaiticus, folio 82b.

See also

In Spanish: Mateo 1 para niños