What does Matthew 1:3 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 1:3 provides a segment of Jesus' genealogical record through the lineage of Joseph, his legal father.

The verse lists a succession of ancestors from Judah (Judas in the KJV), one of the twelve sons of Jacob, leading up to David and ultimately to Jesus.

This genealogy is selective, and it highlights an important and unexpected aspect of Jesus' lineage: the inclusion of Gentiles and women.

Specifically, it mentions Thamar (Tamar), who was involved in a scandalous story in Genesis but is included here as a forebearer of Christ, showing the grace and redemption that comes through Jesus' lineage.

Historical Context

When Matthew wrote his Gospel in the first century A.D., he was addressing a primarily Jewish audience familiar with the Hebrew Bible and its genealogies.

Genealogies served several purposes in Jewish culture: they established a person's heritage, linked them to land claims, and were essential for establishing the legitimacy of priestly and royal lines.

In the context of Matthew's genealogy, there’s a purposeful effort to trace the lineage of Jesus back through King David, as a way to establish Jesus's credentials as the prophesied Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the characters mentioned in Matthew 1:3 are significant.

Tamar, a Canaanite woman, is one of the more surprising inclusions in Jesus’ genealogy.

She bears twins, Phares (Perez) and Zara (Zerah), by her father-in-law Judah, under extraordinary and, in the context of that time, scandalous circumstances (Genesis 38).

Her inclusion alongside other non-Jewish women in the genealogy is sometimes seen as a prefiguration of the inclusion of the Gentiles into the covenant through Jesus Christ.

Phares is the ancestor who Jesus's lineage follows, not Zara, which is a deviation from strictly seniority-based inheritances.

Practical Applications

The mention of Judah, Tamar, and their offspring in Jesus' lineage reminds us that God's plan often includes the use of imperfect individuals.

It suggests that redemption is possible for all, regardless of their past, and that God can bring good even from situations that seem irredeemable. This speaks to the Christian belief in forgiveness and restoration, offering hope that one's lineage or past does not determine their spiritual future.

Cross-References

• Genesis 38:27-30 - Details the birth of Phares and Zara to Tamar and Judah.
• Ruth 4:18-22 - Perez is also listed in the genealogy of King David.
• Hebrews 7:14 - It is recognized that our Lord sprang out of Judah.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

• "ἐγέννησεν" (egennēsen) - Often translated as "begat," meaning "to be the father of," "to beget," "to bring forth."
• "Φαρὲς" (Phares) - The Greek transliteration for "Perez," meaning "breach" or "burst forth," referencing his birth story.
• "Ζαρὰ" (Zara) - The Greek form of "Zerah," which means "dawning" or "shining."
• "Θαμάρ" (Thamar) - The Greek rendition of "Tamar," which may mean "palm tree," symbolizing righteousness or uprightness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient societies, genealogies were also used to establish lineage and rights.

However, it is not common for other ancient myths or religions to highlight the inclusion of what might be seen as less honorable or scandalous individuals in a hero's lineage, whereas in the genealogy of Matthew, the inclusion of Tamar and others indicates a departure from that norm, emphasizing the universal reach of the new covenant.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific studies in genetics and genealogy have shown that ancestry is far more complex than the linear descent lines conveyed in historical genealogies.

However, the genealogy presented in Matthew is not meant to be scientific but theological in importance, demonstrating a spiritual lineage and the fulfillment of prophecy rather than conveying biological descent.

commentaries

Commentators have varied perspectives on this verse:

• Some view the inclusion of women like Tamar as a bold move by Matthew, showcasing God's grace and pointing to the fact that Jesus came for all people, not just the Jews.
• Others note the cultural importance of tracing Jesus' lineage through Joseph to argue for his legal right to the Davidic throne, despite the claim of virgin birth.
• A few commentators believe that the structure of the genealogy (divided into three segments from Abraham to David, David to the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to Jesus) serves to organize Israel’s history theologically around key moments, including the Davidic kingship and the Exile.

These differing perspectives emphasize the complex nature and the many layers of meaning that can be gleaned from a single verse of the Bible.