Survey of Matthew 1:1-17

¶ … Matthew 1:1-17

The book of Matthew is the first in the New Testament, and therefore acts as the introduction to the Christian movement as introduced by Christ. Matthew's position in the New Testament also then logically suggests its relatively chronological consideration of the life of Christ, beginning with brief accounts of his genealogy, his birth, and his childhood. This inherent chronology further serves as a platform for the structural relationships that become evident as the reader progresses through the book. Specifically, Matthew 1:1-17 serves as a good introduction and indication of the overall message and further events in the book.

The assigned reading, along with the rest of Matthew, can be sub-divided according to its content. A generally descriptive title for Matthew 1:1-17 can then be "The Messianic Genealogy." The passage can also be subtitled "The Forty-Two Generations." There are three subsections, as indicated by verse 17; each comprising fourteen generations. Verse 2-6 of Matthew 1 can then be subtitled "Abraham to David," verse 7-11 "Generations up to Babylon," and Verse 12 to 16 "Generations to the Messiah."

The book of Matthew itself also lends itself to various titles and subtitles. There are for example three main sections: 1) Christ Enters the World; 2) Christ Teaches the World; and 3) Christ Fulfills the Prophesy. Christian Inconnect further proposes that the book consists of seven sections; the introduction, five major discourses, and finally a conclusion. These can be subtitled as follows: 1) Matthew 1-4:16: Early Life of Christ; 2) Matthew 4:17-7: The Ministry Begins; 3) Matthew 8-11:1: Calling Disciples to Service; 4) Matthew 11:2-13:52: Teaching Through Parables; 5) Matthew 13:53-19:1: Antagonizing the Officials; 6) Matthew 19:2-25: Intensifying Spiritual Teaching; 7) Matthew 26-28: The Passion and Resurrection.

The general theme in the book of Matthew is Christ as the Messiah. Matthew uses his narrative account of Christ's life and ministry to provide evidence that he is indeed the fulfillment of the Old-Testament prophesies and promises. The progression of structural relationships in the book serves to emphasize the main theme. The passage under discussion, Matthew 1:1-17, serves as an adequate introduction for this theme. Indeed, the first and 17th verses unify this section of Chapter 1 in such a way as to foreshadow the unity of the rest of the book. In verse 1 already, Jesus is named the Messiah in no uncertain terms. The word Messiah is repeated in both verse 16 and 17, providing unity for the specific passage, and a connection to the rest of the book. Christ frequently refers to himself as the Messiah and other synonymous words and phrases, such as the Son of God and the Son of David. All these terms and phrases carry the theme of Jesus as divine Savior.

The way in which Matthew uses the word "Messiah" also implies that there is no doubt that Jesus is in fact the fulfillment of the divine promise. In verse 16, for example, he speaks about Jesus "who is called the Messiah." The phrase appears to assume that everyone refers to Jesus in this way, without reservation and without doubt. Although the many conflicts involving the Pharisees and Sadducees later in the book prove this not to be in fact the case, Matthew's certainty indicates the faith of Jesus' followers, and the faith required to enter the Kingdom of Christ.

The word "Messiah" is also linked to the Kingdom of God, which is a further recurring theme in the discourses displayed by Matthew. Christ frequently refers to this spiritual Kingdom as the ultimate destination of the faithful, and highly desirable as a reward for living a life of faith. This spiritual Kingdom is frequently juxtaposed with earthly riches throughout the book of Matthew. Jesus uses colorful language to demonstrate the necessity for the faithful to gather treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly treasure, according to Matthew and Christ, serves only to distract from a faithful life, as Jesus proves in the case of the Rich Young Man.

Symbolic of the conflict between heavenly and earthly aspirations is Jesus and his disciples as opposed to the religious officials of the time in the form of Sadducees and Pharisees. The latter and their followers expect a Messiah to free them from political oppression and physical hardship. This view as opposed to the mission of Jesus is a recurring theme throughout Christ's ministry in the Gospel of Matthew. It is also the climax of this conflict that leads to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Various parallel instances of climax can be seen in the book. Returning to Matthew 1:1-17, Christ is portrayed as the climax of the genealogy starting with Abraham. He is the fulfillment of the promise and the prophesy throughout the Old Testament. He is the unifying element between the Old and New Testaments.