Matthew 1:16-20

Mat 1:16 (KJB)

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Jacob was the father of Joseph who was the husband of Mary. Normally, the genealogies only listed the name of men but because of Mary’s great part in bringing forth the Lord Jesus Christ, she is given a well-deserved place. Not much is known about this Mary except that God chose her to bring forth His Son into this world. Now Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus because if he was, then the sin nature would have been passed down to Jesus and that would have disqualified Him from being the Savior. (2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. The name “Christ” means “Anointed One.” In Hebrew it is “Messiah” which means “Anointed.”

Mat 1:17 (KJB)

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

The Matthew genealogy is a systematic summary of the history of Israel. As we have seen, there were some names omitted and some lives were passed over without being listed. This is the way the Holy Spirit had given the genealogy to Matthew and any Jew could have looked at the listings and compared them to the temple documents and would see that they would fit 100% with total accuracy. Here Matthew gives 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus. Each generation has a different length of time. There is no such thing as a blanket number such as 40 or 70 years for all the generations listed in Scripture. Each generation has to be looked at individually.

Mat 1:18 (KJB)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Now the events concerning the Virgin birth of Jesus. Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, and the betrothal period was as binding in Jewish culture as the marriage itself. Legally, Mary was Joseph’s wife already, that is how binding the betrothal period was. The bride to be, during the time of engagement, lived at her father’s house until she is brought to the wedding by her father. If there was some adultery and the woman was found pregnant, a writ of divorce was given, even before the actual wedding ceremony. In this verse, we are specifically told that Mary was with child and if the verse stopped there, then we would have only half information. Jesus was accused of being born of fornication because a very harsh rumor was being circulated that Mary was pregnant by a Roman Soldier. Here the verse specifically rejects that rumor and states that Mary was with child by the Holy Ghost because Jesus was to be born sinless, if He was to be qualified to be our Savior. This means that Mary was made pregnant by divine decree and intervention. (Heb 10:5 KJV) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: It was God who prepared and fashioned the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mat 1:19 (KJB)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph knew the law. (Deu 22:23-24 KJV) If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; {24} Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. That both Mary and the one she committed fornication with would have to be put to death, even though Rome would not have allowed this to happen. Joseph really loved Mary and to protect her from a stoning, he was willing to give her that writ of divorce and put her away privately, not wanting any shame to come upon her. Joseph’s love for Mary might have caused him to take the blame because most people would naturally suspect the man in the relationship.

Mat 1:20 (KJB)

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, 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.

Thought - Pondering or deliberating

Fear - Terrified or be afraid

Once Joseph found out about Mary, he began to ponder the situation and maybe while he was doing some deep thinking, the Lord put him to sleep and then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Joseph was first greeted by the angel as a “son of David” or a descendant of the royal line. This means that when Jesus was born He will have fulfilled the prophecy of sitting upon David’s throne forever. Then the angel says to Joseph that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. She is still pure and has never had relations with a man. She was chosen by God to bring forth the Messiah and the baby which was conceived in her was by the Holy Ghost and not man. This was not an ordinary conception. Basically, Joseph’s life was about to change drastically.