This provides an important start for a Jewish readership. For the Jews, a person’s family line proved his/her standing as one of God’s people. Matthew showed that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham.

In these first 17 verses we are introduced to 46 people, whose lifetimes span 2000 years. Some of those included in the list would not normally be included in such a lineage – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Not only are these women, at least two are not Israelites by birth.

In verse 16, Matthew lists Joseph as just the husband of Mary, and not Jesus’ father. Mary’s ancestral line is recorded in Luke. Jospeph provides the legal (or Royal) lineage back to Abraham. Both Mary and Joseph are descendants of David.

It is worth noting that some ancestors may have been omitted. The phrase “father of” could also have been translated as “ancestor of”. Providing a compressed genealogy such as this was normal for the time.

Matthew 1.18-25. An Angel Appears to Joseph.

Joseph and Mary were engaged to be Married. At that time, this was legally binding, but they would not have lived together until they were married. There would have been huge stigma associated with Mary becoming pregnant before they were actually married. In fact there were potentially very serious consequences – so serious that Joseph could have divorced Mary and the authorities could have ordered her stoned to death.  However, we know that Joseph was a “good man” (v19) which would explain why he resolved to divorce her quietly – to avoid “public disgrace” (also v19).

Following this, an angel appeared in a dream, instructing Joseph to marry Mary and name the baby Jesus. As we know, marrying Mary would have ensured that they both carried significant social stigma for the rest of their lives.  (The lesson for us here is to seek God’s guidance when making decisions that affect others.) The name Jesus means “the Lord saves” which underlines that only God, through Jesus, can save us from our sins.

Jospeh did what is right and obeyed God when he learned the truth that Mary had not been unfaithful. They married, and resolved to face the future together. Similarly we should not avoid following God’s word in order to seek the approval of others.