Why does Matthew include a genealogy if Joseph is not Jesus' biological father? Study Matthew 1 with context, apologetic analysis, and cross-references.
Matthew 15 questions
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Commentary provenance
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua Commentary · Matthew 1
01
The precise difficulties
Why does Matthew include a genealogy if Joseph is not Jesus' biological father?
Why are there five women in the genealogy?
Does Isaiah 7:14 really predict a virgin birth?
Was Joseph wrong to plan to divorce Mary quietly?
What does "God with us" mean?
02
Verse and question study
Why does Matthew include a genealogy if Joseph is not Jesus' biological father?
The genealogy establishes Jesus' legal right to the throne of David. In Jewish law, a son adopted by a father had full legal standing as an heir. Joseph, as a descendant of David, passed on the royal lineage to Jesus. At the same time, Matthew makes clear that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, so His divine Sonship is not dependent on human lineage. The genealogy serves both purposes: it shows Jesus as the legal heir of David, and it shows Him as the Son of God.
Why are there five women in the genealogy?
The inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary is deliberate. Each of these women has a story that involves scandal, foreignness, or unusual circumstances. Their presence in the Messiah's lineage is a statement about grace. God does not choose the perfect or the powerful. He chooses the weak, the outsider, and the sinner. The gospel is for everyone.
Does Isaiah 7:14 really predict a virgin birth?
The Hebrew word almah means "young woman" and does not explicitly mean "virgin." However, the Greek Septuagint translated it as parthenos, and Matthew, writing under inspiration, applies it to Mary. The prophecy had a near-term fulfillment in Isaiah's day, but it also had a fuller fulfillment in Christ. This is a common pattern in biblical prophecy: a partial fulfillment in the immediate context and a complete fulfillment in the Messiah.
Was Joseph wrong to plan to divorce Mary quietly?
No. Joseph was a just man, and he was trying to do the right thing. He did not want to expose Mary to public shame or death. His plan was merciful. The angel intervened and revealed the truth, and Joseph obeyed. This shows that God guides those who seek to do what is right.
What does "God with us" mean?
Immanuel is not just a name; it is a description of the incarnation. Jesus is God in human flesh, dwelling among us. He experienced human life, human temptation, human suffering, and human death. He is not distant or detached. He is with us in every circumstance. This is the comfort of the gospel: God is not far away. He has come near.
03
Historical and literary context
Matthew writes primarily for a Jewish audience. His Gospel is saturated with Old Testament quotations, fulfilled prophecy, and covenantal language. Unlike Mark, who begins with the thunderclap of John the Baptist, Matthew begins with a genealogy. This is deliberate. For a Jewish reader, genealogies are not boring lists; they are theological declarations. They establish identity, legitimacy, and inheritance. Matthew's first word is biblos geneseōs — "book of the genealogy" — an echo of Genesis 2:4 and 5:1. He is presenting the story of Jesus as a new genesis, a new beginning. The chapter moves from Abraham to David to the exile to Christ, covering two thousand years of history in seventeen verses. Then it narrows to a single night in Nazareth, where a young couple faces an impossible situation and an angel speaks a word of hope.
04
Apologetic note
Some critics argue that the virgin birth is a myth borrowed from pagan religions. But the biblical account is unique. In pagan myths, gods often impregnate women through physical union, producing demigods. In the biblical account, the Holy Spirit creates life in Mary's womb without any sexual contact. The result is not a demigod but the incarnate Son of God. Moreover, the virgin birth is deeply rooted in Jewish prophecy and theology. It is not a pagan import; it is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14. The historical evidence for the virgin birth includes the testimony of Mary, the dream of Joseph, and the consistent witness of the Gospels. The early church did not invent the story; it was handed down from the beginning. The genealogy also presents a challenge to critics who claim the Gospels are unreliable. The inclusion of women with questionable backgrounds — Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba — is not something a later editor would add to make the story more impressive. It is an embarrassment that serves a theological purpose. This is a mark of authenticity.