Matthew's Genealogy: 5 Subtle Clues Modern Readers Miss | Whiteboard Bible Study

Instead of beginning his story of Jesus' life with an exciting narrative, Matthew begins his gospel with Jesus' genealogy: a list of more than 40 names. To modern readers, this is pretty boring. But to Matthew's original audience, there were some subtle clues—"Easter eggs," if you will—about the story Matthew's about to tell.

[BrianAz]

I am a new subscriber and the first video I watched was your "Overview" of Matthew. By the end of the video I was hoping you covered this very important topic on genealogy that really needs to be explained. Most Christians I know have no idea of the importance of this list of genealogy and in all honesty, I only found out about 5 years ago. For me, it was a huge eye opener for the simple fact that the Jews rely on geneology to validate families and the line of kingship. Your explanation offered me even more insight to this genealogy and I thank you!

[jameymanhattan]

Another brilliant discussion, Jeffrey! Once again revealing the beautiful nuances in the Word.

[emilys]

You ROCK! I just started the NT over again using the Passion audio translation and got curious when Amos' name came up. This video came up and (as an ESL teacher) I am super impressed at how you brought to life one of those chapters I've always felt guilty for skipping. Love the fact that someone is pointing out these kinds of Easter Eggs!!! Bless you bro!!!

[trinigyul]

What a rollercoaster the book of Matthew is! ❤

[lungiledingaan]

👍🏽 Interesting observation. Jacob (Israel) and Joseph (Pharaoh's second in command) and Jacob (grandfather of Jesus) and Joseph, Jesus's father.
The Bible never fails to impress.

[puremusicdaz]

in luke's (3:23->), Jesus is the 70th generation from adam. God loves seven.

[daydreamer]

After grasping the story of Old Testament, rereading Matthew 1 gives so much hype similar to if not more than Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. That much hype, from reading a BOOK! Truly what makes Bible a masterpiece!

[drkyoumasaur]

To be honest, I didn't think much about Matthew 1 back then other than just historical reference. But after hearing this I can appreciate it so much more. Thank you for this explanation!

[marinarocha]

Wow, this was brilliant! I had never seen the start of Matthew in this light.

[vinodhkumar]

Hi, your video is amazing but I have some doubts. How is asaph and amos came to David genealogy even so if it is mentioned by mathew in greek writing

[gracedpc]

I need English Subtitle. It went on Japanese. I am Deaf. I would love to listen what you said about this lesson.

[nancyhollis]

It says in matt 1:17that from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are 14 generations but when you count them this sectuon only has 13 so who is the 14th generation is it the church who becomes the sons if God

[trishferrarin]

Hi Jeffrey. I loved your Matthew overview board, so decided to check this out. However, I've just checked my greek bible and I wanted to ask how you came to the conclusion that Asa should read Asaph and Amon, Amos. In my version, they clearly say Asa and Amon. I'd really like you to clear this up for me. Thanks again for all your insight into the gospel of Matthew.

[gilgalbiblewheel]

Which version of the bible do you use concerning Asa/Asaph and Amon/Amos?

[jamesherrington]

Thanks for posting this. It was exactly what I was looking for.

[melvennhatugueja]

Hi Jeffrey.
I went back to the old testament to see if the father of the "king Asa" was really Abijah, and also if his son was Jehoshaphat. And I found that it's true. So, how can you be sure that should be written "Asaph" instead of "Asa"? The context confirms that was the "king Asa".

[richardtescher]

I read the names a hundred times, then it dawned on me, lineage and bloodlines are important. Put this together with your studies.
Prophets, Kings, and Judges all wraps it up.
I love how the Torah was written. Coded.
Shalom.

[randyrchannel]

The presentation is good because it is simple and understandable for everyone. I would have a small correction.

If we read the text carefully, there are only 13 names in the third group.

The name David stands at the beginning of the second group. If we look at the blackboard, there are only 13 names. My question: Where do we find the fourteenth generation?
I now reveal a secret, but first we read Matthew 1:17:
So all generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ fourteen generations.

The verse makes it clear that after the deportation there were 14 generations. Before I deliver the solution, here is an important hint. The Gospel of Matthew will repeat itself in a similar way in the future, because God has promised that he will speak two or three times. The first time about 2000 years ago. The second time with the beginning of Martin Luther's Reformation. The third time God speaks after the Rapture.

And now we come to the resolution of the riddle.
As we read in verse 17, the last part of the sentence reads: and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ fourteen generations, then it means: Jesus is the thirteenth in this sequence and "the Christ", are we. The born-again Christians are "spiritually" born out of the seed of Jesus, the grain of wheat laid in the earth. We are the fourteenth generation in the third third.

Ephraim and Manasseh are already allegorically marked out by the sons of Joseph in the Old Testament as shadow images.

[NJ-jufr]

Very nice discussion. Maybe I could think of Matthew as stepping up to a university lectern. The audience is prepared for a stuffy academic exercise. Great scholars are listening critically. But Matthew doesn't read from notes or draw out any kind of tree. Instead he cues music and dims the lights. He throws boring precision out the window in order to simply say (1) all prophesies about his lineage are fulfilled, (2) all branches of every lineage belong to him! I hope that doesn't sound too liberal. I hope people will see this list not as weakening the bible but in fact elevating it as a work of art. Matthew saw Christ as already glorified and victorious. He doesn't stoop to dot i's and cross t's in order that the geneology society might deem the Lord acceptable. A perfect geneology was probably doable, but it doesn't serve the purpose for us; it fails to give perspective like Matthew does.

[darlenejames]

I Love your lessons. Today's has me so confused. I will hit save and revisit Mathew lesson. Somehow I feel like I need to begin again. Is there a follow up to this for a greater understanding?