The gospel of Matthew is anonymous, but very early tradition assigned it to Matthew, the tax collector, one of the twelve chosen to follow Jesus most closely. This gospel is the most Jewish of the gospels, making frequent reference to Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. And there are a number of allusions to Old Testament events that Jesus reprised.
The gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy of Jesus that goes back as far as Abraham. This is likely not a complete genealogy, but one that Matthew divided into three 14-generation segments. Why he did that is unknown. When you read the genealogy of Jesus found at the end of Luke 3, you will find that they are very different between Joseph and King David. Why is unknown, although there are certainly some strong opinions about it.
The second half of this chapter tells us about the announcement of Jesus’ birth to Joseph. Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant and was assured that she had not been unfaithful to him. He was then instructed to take her as his wife. And the angel provides two names for the child she will deliver.
Jesus is the English version of His name and is the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament. It is a name that means ‘Jehovah is Salvation’. This was not an uncommon name, but very appropriate for who He came to be.
The second name was not so much a name as it was a description. Immanuel (or Emmanuel) means ‘God with us’. And that is what Jesus was: God in the flesh, living among us.
So Joseph did what the angel told him to do. He took Mary home as his wife. And when her child was born, Joseph named Him Jesus.
Other Posts from this Chapter
Five Scandalous Women
Matthew 1:3, 5, 6, 16
Jesus Is God, Come to Save His People
Matthew 1:21
Immanuel: God With Us
Matthew 1:22-23
Immanuel: God With Us
Matthew 1:23
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