Matthew Chapter 1-3 Flashcards

Genealogy and Birth of Jesus

• Matthew's Gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, highlighting His lineage.
• Jesus is identified as the son of David and Abraham.
• The genealogy is divided into three segments of 14 years: from Abraham to David, from David to Babylonian captivity, and from captivity to Christ's birth.

Mary and Joseph

• Mary, betrothed to Joseph, had not lived with him before Jesus's birth.
• Jesus's father is described as the Holy Spirit.
• Joseph is portrayed as a just man, initially planning to dismiss Mary quietly to avoid public disgrace.

Divine Interventions

• An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, explaining Jesus's divine conception and His mission to save people from their sins.
• Joseph obeyed the angel's command to take Mary as his wife, fulfilling prophecy regarding the virgin birth of Immanuel (meaning "God with us").

Jesus’s Birth

• Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during King Herod's reign.
• Wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem after following His star to worship the King of the Jews.

Fulfillment of Prophecies

• Jesus’s birth fulfilled various prophecies: He would be born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, from the tribe of Judah, descendant of David, and would trigger a massacre of children.
• The wise men sought help from King Herod, who was disturbed and sought to find Jesus under the pretense of wanting to worship Him.

Visit of the Wise Men

• After meeting Herod, the wise men continued to follow the star, ultimately worshiping Jesus and presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
• Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they took a different route home.

Exodus to Egypt

• An angel instructed Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod's threat to kill the child.
• They traveled at night and stayed in Egypt until Herod's death, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

Return to Israel

• Following Herod's death, Joseph received guidance from an angel to return to Israel.
• They avoided Judea due to the fear of Archelaus, Herod’s son, and settled in Nazareth of Galilee.

Historical Context

• The census ordered by Caesar Augustus required Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem for registration, ensuring the birth fulfilled prophetic contexts.
• Herod's rage led to the slaughter of male children in Bethlehem and surrounding areas, fulfilling another prophecy concerning the Messiah’s early life.