"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

Chapter One

Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph. Thus he shows the royal lineage of Jesus from David, one of the first things required to convince a Jewish audience that Jesus qualified to be the Messiah (1-17; cf. Mt 22:41-42). The birth of Jesus is then described, with the announcement of the angel to Joseph, and the protection of her virginity until His birth (18-25).

POINTS TO PONDER

• The genealogy, comparing it with the one in Luke's gospel
• The prophecies of Isaiah and the angel regarding the virgin birth
• The significance of the names given to the child born of Mary

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The genealogy of Jesus Christ - Mt 1:1-17
   - The birth of Jesus Christ - Mt 1:18-25
2. Whose genealogy is given by Matthew? (1)
   - Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
3. What four women are included in this genealogy? (3,5,6)
   - Tamar
   - Rahab
   - Ruth
   - The wife (Bathsheba) of Uriah
4. What was the initial relationship between Joseph and Mary? (18)
   - Betrothed (engaged)
5. When and how did Mary become pregnant? (18)
   - Before she and Joseph came together
   - From the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:26-35)
6. What two names would be given the child, and what do they mean? (21-23)
   - Jesus (savior); Immanuel (God with us)
7. What scripture in the OT was fulfilled by the virgin birth of Christ? (22-23)
   - That written by Isaiah in Isa 7:14
8. How long did Joseph wait until he knew Mary as his wife? (25)
   - Until she had given birth to her son (Jesus)