and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that Jesus was born of Mary, not that Joseph was His biological father. This clarifies that Jesus' true lineage, the one that fulfills prophecy, comes through His mother, while Joseph's inclusion ensures legal and social legitimacy as His earthly father.
and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes Matthew's genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage from Abraham through Joseph, Mary's husband. The preceding verses meticulously list ancestors, highlighting significant figures and events like the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of Joseph as the "husband of Mary" sets the stage for the miraculous conception narrative that immediately follows, emphasizing that Jesus' birth was not through natural means but through the Holy Spirit.
Why does Matthew emphasize that Jesus 'is called Christ'? This title carries immense weight, connecting Jesus to a long-awaited promise and a profound mission.
The term 'Christ' is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word 'Messiah,' both meaning 'Anointed One.' In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed, signifying their divine appointment to a specific office. This anointing was a symbol of the Holy Spirit's empowerment. When Matthew calls Jesus 'the Christ,' he is declaring that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of all these anointed roles. He is the promised King who will reign eternally, the perfect High Priest who offers the ultimate sacrifice, and the definitive Prophet who reveals God's heart. This title isn't just a name; it's a declaration of Jesus' unique identity and purpose as God's chosen one for salvation.
Matthew and Luke present different paternal lines for Joseph. How can we understand this, and why is tracing lineage so important for Jesus?
The genealogies in Matthew and Luke, while appearing different on the surface (Matthew tracing Joseph through Jacob, Luke through Heli), both aim to establish Jesus' Davidic lineage. Scholars suggest several ways these are harmonized:
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Regardless of the precise mechanism, the point is clear: the Old Testament prophecies declared the Messiah would be a descendant of David. By meticulously tracing Jesus' lineage through Joseph (his legal father) and implicitly through Mary (his biological mother), Matthew and Luke confirm Jesus' right to the Davidic throne and His fulfillment of Messianic expectations. The perceived discrepancies highlight the independence of the evangelists and the reliability of their sources, while the shared goal underscores the theological significance of Jesus' royal ancestry.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
A title derived from the Hebrew 'Mashiach', meaning 'Anointed One'. It refers to the promised King and Savior of Israel who would fulfill God's covenantal promises to establish an eternal kingdom.
The genealogies in Matthew and Luke, though differing in their specific tracing of Joseph's lineage, converge to establish Jesus' Davidic ancestry. This was crucial for him to be recognized as the promised Messiah, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the everlasting kingdom of David, even as his true, divine nature was veiled.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and God promises him an everlasting dynasty.
c. 975 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple
King Solomon, David's son, builds the Temple in Jerusalem. The kingdom's future is tied to David's line.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
The Babylonian empire conquers Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many, including the royal line of David.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Many Jews return from Babylon to Jerusalem, beginning to rebuild the Temple and re-establish their community under Persian rule.
c. 2 BC - AD 30— this verse
Birth and Ministry of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin, through the miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. His lineage is traced through Joseph, Mary's husband, to fulfill prophecy.
c. AD 60-70
Gospels Written
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke are written, including genealogies that trace Jesus' lineage through Joseph back to David and Abraham. These accounts reflect contemporary Jewish customs and concerns about lineage.
This verse is directly alluded to in the lineage, highlighting that Jesus' birth from a virgin, as foretold, would fulfill prophecy and confirm His identity as Christ.
2 Samuel 7:12-13This promise to David about an everlasting kingdom and a descendant on the throne directly connects to Jesus' Davidic lineage, establishing Him as the promised Messiah and King.
Ruth 4:17The inclusion of Ruth and Boaz in Jesus' lineage shows how God incorporates even the most unexpected individuals into His grand plan, ultimately leading to the Messiah.
Psalm 132:11This Psalm reaffirms God's oath to David concerning his offspring ruling forever, which is a foundational truth for understanding why Jesus' Davidic ancestry is so crucial to His identity as Christ.
Galatians 4:4This passage speaks to the 'fullness of time' when God sent His Son, born of a woman, which perfectly aligns with the specific historical and genealogical context presented in Matthew's opening verses.
clarkeMatthew 1:16: "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."
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,…
pulpitMatthew 1:16: "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ."
Verse 16. - And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary. St. Luke calls Joseph "the son of Heli." There are two ways in which these differing statements may be made to accord. The two sons of Matthan were Jacob the elder, and Heli the younger. It may be that Mary was the only child of Jacob, and Joseph the son of Heli. Then by marriage with his cousin, Joseph would become Jacob's son as wel…
The verse emphasizes that Jesus was born of Mary, not that Joseph was His biological father. This clarifies that Jesus' true lineage, the one that fulfills prophecy, comes through His mother, while Joseph's inclusion ensures legal and social legitimacy as His earthly father.
This verse concludes Matthew's genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage from Abraham through Joseph, Mary's husband. The preceding verses meticulously list ancestors, highlighting significant figures and events like the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of Joseph as the "husband of Mary" sets the stage for the miraculous conception narrative that immediately follows, emphasizing that Jesus' birth was not through natural means but through the Holy Spirit.
This verse concludes Matthew's genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage from Abraham through Joseph, Mary's husband. The preceding verses meticulously list ancestors, highlighting significant figures and events like the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of Joseph as the "husband of Mary" sets the stage for the miraculous conception narrative that immediately follows, emphasizing that Jesus' birth was not through natural means but through the Holy Spirit.
"and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ." — The verse emphasizes that Jesus was born of Mary, not that Joseph was His biological father. This clarifies that Jesus' true lineage, the one that fulfills prophecy, comes through His mother, while J…
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Last reviewed October 2026