A Brief Exposition of Matthew, Biblical commentary · Part · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
In this Chapter is contained the Genealogy of JESUS CHRIST, as he is Man, unto vers. 18. And five evidences of his holy and wonderfull incarnation, from vers. 18. to the end.
Vers. 1. THe Book of the generation of JESUS CHRIST, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
IN this Title of the Genealogie, Or Roll of the Pedigree of Christ, the Evangelist holdeth forth unto us these things: The person of whom we have to take notice here, is not a meer man, but the Saviour of men; for the inscription calleth this Ro…l, The book of the generation of IESUS CHRIST, such a man as is true God also, and worthy to be called, in the most proper ond strict sense, IESUS the true SALVATOR and DELIVERER of men from sin and wrath; which still properly taken, belongeth only to him who is almighty God, and IESUS in effect. 2. This person IESUS is throughly able and fully furnished for accomplishing the work of mans salvation, and one who is anointed unto the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, to bring about, and perfect the salvation of his own: for this IESUS, is that CHRIST, the eminently anointed SAVIOUR. 3. He is the Saviour of Jew and Gentile, who in his Hebrew name IESUS, and his Greek name CHRIST, doth lift up a Banner of love unto both, That the Hebrews and Grecians, the Jews and Gentiles may come to him for salvation, the one no lesse then the other. 4. As the Lord did promise in Paradise in the assumed seed of the woman, to tread down the head of the serpent, and did renew his promise in Abrahams seed, to blesse all the nations of the earth, and in Davids seed to reign and rule over the true Israel of God for ever, so hath he performed; yea he hath carefully provided, not only to make his promise good, but also that the degrees of his lineall descent according to his human… nature should be marked; partly in the holy Scripture from Abraham unto the Jews captivity in Babylon; and partly in the publick registers of the family and posterity of David, from the captivity unto his birth; Th…rfore he is called the Son of Abraham, …he Son of David: and mention is made of a Book or Roll, drawn forth of the records. This Register was from age to age so punctually filled up in every family, and made notour to all men, Ezra 2.62. that not only Davids posterity was known thereby, and according to it was taxed by Caesar in Beth-lehem; but also all the rest of the families of the Hebrews then in Judea, could reckon their genealogie by the publick records, and were taxed in their severall places accordingly. Luke 2.3, 4, 5.
Verse 2 Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Iacob, and Iacob begat Iudas, and his brethren.
3 And Iudas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar, and Phares begat Esrom, and Esrom begat Aram.
4 And Aram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon.
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab, and Booz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Iesse.
6 And Iesse begat David the king, and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.
7 And Solomon begat Roboam, an… Roboam begat Abi…, and Abi… begat Asa.
8 And Asa begat Iosaphat, and Iosaphat begat Ioram, and Ioram begat Ozias.
9 And Ozias begat Ioatham, and Ioatham begat Achaz, and Achaz beg… Ezekias.
10 A Ezekias begat Manasses, and Manasses begat Amon, and Amon begat Iosias.
11. And Iosias begat Iechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Iechonias begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zorobabel.
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Elia…im, and Eliakim begat Azor.
14. And Azor begat Sadoc, and Sadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud.
15. And Eliud begat Eleazear, and Eleazear begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Iacob.
16 And Iacob begat Ioseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Iesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations: and from David untill the carrying away into Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, are fourteen generations.
This Catalogue of the posterity of David being so notourly known from the publick Registers and records of the families of David, that no doubt nor question was made of Christs descent from David, no not by his enemies, Therefore the Evangelist doth not scrupulously name here every one of his Ancestors, but only draweth the line along so far, as it might suffice for the churches edification: and by so much as is here set down he doth teach us these things: 1. Jesus Christ is the very true Messias promised to the fathers, who now in the fulness of time, hath assumed humane nature of the seed of Abraham, and David, whose Son he is called, according to the flesh: and this he pointeth at, when he saith, Abraham begat Isaac, &c. 2. For our confirmation in the faith of Jesus Christ, we should acquaint our selves with the prophesies which went before of him, and with the history of his Ancestors, here recorded from the Scripture of the Old Testament, and in speciall from Abraham to the captivity of Babylon. 3. Seeing it is a hard matter to beleeve, that God should so empty himselfe for us, and become a man like unto us, we should receive so many impressions of the verity of his humane nature, as there are severall names of his Ancestors according to the flesh, named in this Catalogue: for to this end we are led from one to another, by he begat, and he begat. 4. No man should be astrayed to offer himselfe to be ingrafted as a branch in Christ, because Christ hath been pleased to be a branch of poor Ruth, a Gentile, as well as of rich Booz: of unlearned persons as well as learned, of ignoble and mean persons as wel as Kings: yea and of persons blotted with notorious faults, as Rachab and Tamar, no lesse then of holy Patriarchs and Prophets, such as Abraham and Isaac. 5. As he hath separated our nature in his own person, from all the pollution of his Ancestors here recorded, so he can sanctifie our persons and nature, how polluted soever our persons have been. 6. By summing up the generations from Abraham unto Christ in thrice fourteen, he teacheth us, that notwithstanding so many notable changes were made in that people, especially about the period of each fourteen Generations; yet was the promise of the Messias coming, and the lineall descent of the blessed seed still keeped on foot, till our Lord was born, and by this same means, he giveth us to understand, that in the greatest commotions of kingdomes or commonwealths, no promise made to the Church shall be shaken.
Verse 18. Now the birth of Iesus Christ was on this wise: when as his Mother Mary was espoused to Ioseph (before they came together) she was found with child of the holy Ghost.
In the second part of the chapter we have five evidences of Christs wonderfull incarnation. The first is, the Virgin Mary is found with child of the HOLY GHOST; wherein these truths offer themselves. 1. Albeit Christ as God be eternall, and hath no mother, yet as he is a man he hath Mary his Mother in her virginity, For before they came together she was found with child of the HOLY GHOST. 2. This wonderfull conception was no lesse true and reall then any ordinary concep…ion could be: for by ordinary evidence She is found with childe, which was observed by those that did not know that it was of the holy Ghost, till afterward. 3. We should neither speak nor think of this holy conception, without the remembrance of the wonderfull operation of the Holy Spirit: for to preveen all unworthy and unbeseeming, thoughts of this transcendent mystery, no sooner doth the Evangelist make mention of the Virgins being with Child, but immediately he subjoyneth, of the Holy Ghost, To teach us, to beware to think any thoughts of this great mystery of Godlinesse, the incarnation of the Son of God, except by the conduct of the Holy Ghost, who must form right thoughts of Christ in our hearts, and lead us along through this following history in all saving truth. 4. The LORD hath a care of the same and estimation of those in whom he mindes to honour himself; for it is provided by God so, that the Virgin Mary, being with child of the promised Messia, shal be espoused to her husband Joseph, that no exception could be taken against her, by such as did not beleeve the mystery.
Vers. 19. Then Ioseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
The second evidence, is Josephs perplexity, who being certain of the reall conception of the Virgin, and uncertain of the holy Manner of it, either because he was not informed by the Virgin how the matter was, or because, if he was informed, he did not fully beleeve; he is put to a perplexed deliberation what to do; There was on the one hand such evidence of purity and holinesse in the carriage of the blessed Virgin, that Joseph could not find a reason in Justice to make her a publick Example, and for this part of his resolution he is commended as a just Man: On the other hand there was such certainty of her being with child, and that the child was not his, that he minded to put her away privily. Doct. 1. GOD by perplexities can prepare the hearts of his own for a clearer satisfaction in matters of highest concernment; for this exercise of Joseph is made a Harbinger to the revelation, and satisfaction which afterward he received: 2. Our LORDS sufferings began very early, even ere he was born, when the Virgin Mother cometh under suspicion for his incarnation, and cometh under this hazard, to be put away privily for his cause. 3. No wonder CHRIST have hard entertainment in the world before he be known, when even his own, according to election, do refuse him, till he manifest himself to them; For Joseph is about to reject the Mother and the child, before he knew the mystery.
Ver. 20. But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Ioseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her, is of the holy Ghost.
The third evidence, is the Testimony of the Angel, revealing the truth to Joseph. Doct. 1. No lesse then divine revelation can satisfie a soul in matters concerning Christ: Joseph must be taught from Heaven, before he be clear about the incarnation of the Son of GOD: 2. The Lord can turn the doubts, and fears and perplexities of his own, into an advantage unto themselves and others also, and into a clearer manifestation of his own glory: for now the incarnation of the Son of God is more clear to Joseph, and to the church, that the Lord did reserve the revelation thereof to himselfe, then if Joseph had never made question about it: 3. The Lord useth to shew himselfe in a necessary nick of time, while the Virgin is in hazard to suffer, and Joseph about to put her away, mean while the Lord interposeth himself…; for while he thought of these things, the Angel appeared: The Angel calling Joseph, Son of David, doth oblige Joseph to serve the chiefe of all the sons of David, the renowned branch, and true root also of the house of David, for whose cause the posterity of David was kept undestroyed, when other families were confounded. Then he dischargeth Josephs suspicion which he had of Mary, assuring him, that that which is conceived of her, is of the holy Ghost, and this he sayeth not to seclude the operation of the Father and the son, whose work is alwayes one with the work of the Holy-Spirit, by whom the Father and the Son do work, whatsoever they work among the creatures, being all three one God, as undivided in essence, so inseparable in operation: But this work is attributed to the holy Ghost, to seclude the ordinary way of generation of man, and to assure us of the sanctification of the substance of the Virgin, assumed by Christ, and of the freedom of Christ; humane n…ure both from originall sin, and also from all possibility o…sinning, by reason of the personall union of the humane nature with the Divine, made by the Holy Ghost. 4. As Christ is the Son of David by lineall descent, through Mary his Mother, so also by law, through Joseph his supposed father, and father in law, who was descended from David; for the Angel calleth Joseph, Thou Son of David. 5. The Lord in due time cleareth the righteousness of such as suffer in their name and estimation for Christ, for Maries chastity is now made manifest from Heaven, Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wise; for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
Verse 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name IESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
For the further confirmation of J…seph, the Angel sheweth to him, how that the conception is of a man child, and giveth order to call him, after he is born, with the reason thereof: hereby teaching us these Truths: 1. As Christ was really part…ker of our flesh and bloud in his conception, so Mary his Mother did bring him forth as really and kindly, as ever woman bare a child, for it is said, She shall bring forth a Son, The word in the Originall speaketh this plainly. 2. The Son of the Virgin Mary is the only true Jesus, recommended unto us from heaven, to be taken notice of as the true Saviour: All who had this name before him, were but shadows and types of him, at the best, for of Christ it is said, Thou shalt call His name Iesus, for he shall save: 3. Natural and civil relations of men and women unto Christ, did not take away their obligation, and necessity to beleeve in him, and to confess him unto salvation, as other sinners must do, but rather augmented the same; for to Joseph it is said, Thou shalt call his name Iesus, to wit, not only as Foster-father, giving this name to him, but as a Beleever in him, and confessor of him, avowing him to be the true Saviour, because He shall save his people from their sins. 4. The Son of Mary, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, purchaseth and giveth salvation by his own proper worth and power▪ for of him it is said absolutely in the strictest sense, He himself shall save his people. 5. Jesus is not to save every man, but only his own people, for whose ransome he made paction with the Father, in the covenant of redemption: for it is said, he shall save his own people. 6. The Redeemed are no lesse sinners, and lost in themselves then others are, for it is said, He shall save his own people from their sins. 7. These things are spoken to Joseph to move him to consecrate himselfe to the service of Jesus, whereby we learne, that except Christ be known as the Saviour, a man cannot heartily do him service, nor indure trouble for him? Therefore is Joseph instructed to expect salvation from him, in saying, Thou shalt call his name Iesus, for he shall save his people.
Vers. 22. (Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name, Immanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us.)
The fourth Evidence of the incarnation, is, the manifested accomplishment of the prophesie of Esay 7.14. Wherein the Prophet, for the comfort of the church, giveth assurance, that not only God should save Israel from their enemies, whom misbeleeving Ahaz did too much fear, but also that the Redeemer of Israel should verily be incarnate, and assume humane nature in a wonderfull manner. Doct. 1. The mystery of Christs wonderfull conception was not altogether hid from the church under the old Testament, for it is here foretold by Esay, that, a Virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son. 2. It was foretold that the child born, should be God and Man in one person, Immanuel, that is, God with us, God manifested in the flesh, God in our nature, God reconciling us to himself. 3. It was foretold that he should be beleeved on, and acknowledged to be God incarnate; for it is said, They shall call his name Immanuel, which is fully seen to be accomplished, when this child Jesus is born, who is the Saviour of his people from their sins; For who except God can redeem and save men, who can make the redeemed his own proper and peculiar people, except God? Who can by his own merit, and effectuall power save from sin, except God? only such a Jesus, as is verily God, really Immanuel, God incarnate, the true reconciler of God and Man.
Ver. 24 Then Ioseph being raised from sleep, did as the Angel of the L…d had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25. … knew her not till she had brought forth her first-borne son, …na…led his name Iesus.
T…e … evidence of Christs holy and wonderfull incarnation… the quiet faith, and ready obedience of Joseph, after tha… is now taught of God. Doct. 1. From time that a m…b… sure of Gods Word and Warrant, he should dispute no m…re, but stop his ear to all carnall reasoning; for God having solved Joseph of his doubts, and given him assurance that Christ is the promised Saviour, he did as the Angel had bidden him. 2. A soul that knoweth the worth of Christ, will be glad, according to its power, to do service to him, or to any of these who belong unto him; for now Joseph as a foster-father taketh home, under the shadow of matrimony, both Mother and Child. 3. When saith beholdeth the Majesty of Jesus, it breedeth fear and respect in the Beleever toward him, and bringeth all his affections in subjection to him; for Joseph understanding that the Virgin is with child, that the promised seed is now come to destroy the works of the divell, and that the holy one of Israel is now incarnate in the Virgins womb; he beareth our LORD at such reverence, and so sanctifieth him in his heart, that he suffereth the Virgin to remain a Virgin; for it is said, He knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born Son, which is sufficient for evidencing the accomplishment of the prophesie, Isaiah 14.