Bible Strands
Matthew 1:16
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew places this verse in the middle of a structured genealogy, positioned between the listing of Jacob in verse 15 and the summary of the third generation block in verse 17. The author addresses a reader seeking to verify the legal and biological origins of the figure titled Christ.
The words — The text records ἐγέννησεν (egennēsen) as "was born" or "begat," marking the generational link, and ἄνδρα (andra) as "husband," defining Joseph’s marital status to Mary. These terms establish a legal familial connection rather than a biological one for Jesus.
The thread — The genealogical structure is explicitly bounded by Matthew 1:17, which frames this verse as part of the fourteen generations from the exile to the Christ. The title "Christ" recurs in John 4:25 as the expected Messiah, while Luke 3:23 notes Jesus was "regarded as the son of Joseph," reflecting the legal lineage established here.
Why it lands — The verse states that Jesus originated through Mary while Joseph held the husband’s legal position, requiring the reader to accept both facts before examining messianic claims. It grounds the title Christ in a documented family line, directing attention to the historical sequence rather than theological speculation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:17 So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
- Luke 3:23 Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
- John 4:25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”
- Matthew 27:22 “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
- Luke 1:31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
- Matthew 2:13 When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
- Mark 6:3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
- Luke 1:27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
- Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
- Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.