Matthew 1

Jesus Christ

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'; Christ — 'the Anointed One' (Greek for Messiah)

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

The very first words of the New Testament name Him fully: Jesus Christ. Matthew's whole book is written to show that this Jesus is the promised Anointed One.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — King Benjamin's angel foretold He would be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 25:19 — Nephi learned His name would be Jesus Christ.

Son of David

Son of David — the promised royal heir of David's throne, a Messianic title

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

God promised David that a descendant would reign forever. Calling Jesus 'the son of David' announces that He is that promised King.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The Lord promised David a seed whose kingdom would be established forever.
• fulfils Isaiah 9:7 — The child born would sit upon the throne of David.
• the same title in Matthew 9:27 — Two blind men cry out to Him, 'Thou son of David.'

Seed of Abraham

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

God promised Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed. Matthew names Jesus as that seed, the One through whom the Abrahamic blessing reaches the world.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Genesis 22:18 — In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — Paul explains that the promised seed of Abraham is Christ.

Christ

Christ — Greek Christos, 'the Anointed One,' the same as Hebrew Messiah

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16–17

The long line of generations ends in one Person: Jesus, called Christ. Matthew arranges all of Israel's history as a countdown to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 1:41 — Andrew: 'We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.'

Birth of Jesus Christ

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18

Jesus had a mortal mother, Mary, but His Father was God, not Joseph. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Mary conceived the Son of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Luke 1:35 — Gabriel explains the Holy Ghost will come upon Mary and the child will be called the Son of God.
• fulfils Alma 7:10 — Alma foretold He would be born of Mary, a virgin, conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:18-21 — Nephi saw the virgin, the mother of the Son of God, bearing a child.

Birth of Jesus Christ

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20

An angel tells Joseph that the child Mary carries is from God. 'That which is conceived in her' is the Son of God Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Luke 1:30-35 — The same divine conception announced to Mary.

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua (Yeshua), 'Jehovah saves' or 'Jehovah is salvation'

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Heaven chose His name, and the name is His mission: Jehovah saves. The angel explains that He will save His people from their sins, not just from earthly enemies.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Luke 1:31 — Gabriel gives Mary the same name, JESUS.
• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — An angel foretold the name Jesus Christ 124 years before His birth.

Savior

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Before He is born, the angel foretells His life's purpose: to save people from sin. This points forward to His Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Helaman 5:10-11 — He redeems people from their sins, not in their sins.
• alludes to Alma 11:37 — Amulek teaches He cannot save people in their sins.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel — 'God with us'

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Matthew 1:22–23

Matthew declares that Isaiah's sign of a virgin bearing a son came true in Jesus. His title Emmanuel means God Himself came to live among us. The prophecy was 'spoken of the Lord' — Jehovah, the premortal Christ, foretelling His own birth through Isaiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 7:14 — The original prophecy of the virgin and Immanuel.
• fulfils 2 Nephi 17:14 — Nephi's record of Isaiah's same Immanuel prophecy.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:18-20 — Nephi saw the virgin who became the mother of the Son of God.

Jesus

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:25

Joseph obeys the angel and names the child Jesus. He is Mary's firstborn — and also the Firstborn of the Father in the spirit.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Luke 2:7 — Mary brought forth her firstborn son in Bethlehem.
• the same event in Luke 2:21 — His name was called JESUS, as named of the angel.
• the same title in D&C 93:21 — Christ: 'I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn.'