Matthew 1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:16

Jesus, who is called Christ - As the word Χριστος Christ, signifies the anointed or anointer, from χριω , to anoint, it answers exactly to the Hebrew משיח mashiach , which we pronounce Messiah or Messias; this word comes from the root משח mashac , signifying the same thing. As the same person is intended by both the Hebrew and Greek appellation, it should be regularly translated The Messiah, or The Christ; whichever is preferred, the demonstrative article should never be omitted.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:17

Fourteen generations - See the note on Matthew 1:11 . The Jews had a sort of technical method of summing up generations in this way. In Synopsis Sohar, p. 132, n. 18, we have the following words; "From Abraham to Solomon were fifteen generations; and then the moon was at the full. From Solomon to Zedekiah were other fifteen generations; the moon was then in the wane, and Zedekiah's eyes were put out." That is, the regal state came to its zenith of light and glory in the time of Solomon;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:18

Espoused to Joseph - The word μνηστευθεισης , from μνηστευω , to contract, or betroth, refers to the previous marriage agreement, in which the parties mutually bound themselves to each other; without which, no woman was ever married among the Jews. Among the Hindoos, a woman is espoused often a whole year, and even longer before the marriage takes place. Before they came together - The woman was espoused at her own, or her father's house; and, generally, some time elapsed before she... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:19

To make her a public example - Παραδειγματισαι , to expose her to public infamy; from παρα , near, and δεικνυμαι , I show, or expose; what is oddly, though emphatically, called in England, showing up - exposing a character to public view. Though Joseph was a righteous man, δικαιος , and knew that the law required that such persons as he supposed his wife to be should be put to death, yet, as righteousness is ever directed by mercy, he determined to put her away or divorce her... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:20

That which is conceived (or formed) in her - So I think γεννηθεν should be translated in this place: as it appears that the human nature of Jesus Christ was a real creation in the womb of the virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the Lord mentioned here was probably the angel Gabriel, who, six months before, bad been sent to Zacharias and Elisabeth, to announce the birth of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist. See Luke 1:36 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:21

Jesus - The same as Joshua, יהושע Yehoshua , from ישע yasha , he saved, delivered, put in a state of safety. See on Exodus 13:9 ; (note); Numbers 13:16 ; (note), and in the preface to Joshua. He shall save his people from their sins - This shall be his great business in the world: the great errand on which he is come, viz. to make an atonement for, and to destroy, sin: deliverance from all the power, guilt, and pollution of sin, is the privilege of every believer in Christ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:22

By the prophet - Isaiah is added here by several MSS., versions, and fathers. The prophecy is taken from Isaiah 7:14 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child - We have already seen, from the preceding verse, that this prophecy is taken from Isaiah 7:14 ; but it may be necessary to consider the circumstances of the original promise more particularly. At the time referred to, the kingdom of Judah, under the government of Ahaz, was reduced very low. Pekah, king of Israel, had slain in Judea 120,000 persons in one day, and carried away captives 200,000, including women and children, together with much spoil. To... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:25

Her first - born son - Τον υιον αυτης τον πρω - οτοκον . Literally, That son of hers, the first-born one. That Mary might have had other children, any person may reasonably and piously believe; that she had others, many think exceedingly probable, and that this text is at least an indirect proof of it. However this may be, the perpetual virginity of Mary should not be made an article of faith. God has not made it one: indeed it can hardly bear the light of several texts in the Gospels. ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 1:1

Verse 1 As all are not agreed about these two genealogies, which are given by Matthew and Luke, we must first see whether both trace the genealogy of Christ from Joseph, or whether Matthew only traces it from Joseph, and Luke from Mary. Those who are of this latter opinion have a plausible ground for their distinction in the diversity of the names: and certainly, at first sight, nothing seems more improbable than that Matthew and Luke, who differ so widely from each other, give one and the same... read more

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