Summer Reading: Gospel of Matthew, chapters 1 & 2

 Background: 

Matthew starts with a genealogy, which most people skip over but serves as a nice connection between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. If you read carefully, you’ll notice it’s a patriarchal genealogy, but 5 women are snuck in there: Tamar (Gen 38), Rahab (Josh 2 & 6), Ruth (Ruth), Bathsheba (2 Sam 11-12), and Mary (Luke 1-2). While their stories might seem scandalous, they are instrumental in keeping the line going from Abraham through David to Jesus. 

The family tree of Christ, Hortus Deliciarum (1180)

While Herod the Great contributed much to the ancient world (like architecture) his primary concern was the power of the Roman Empire, so he quickly and often killed anyone who got in the way, including infants. We are reminded here that Jesus is in danger from the moment Herod learns of his birth, to his death at the hands of Herod’s son, Herod Antipas. 

The parallels between Jesus and Moses are set up right from the beginning, with an infant being threatened by the ruler/king. Interestingly, to save Jesus from death, the holy family is sent to Egypt– the place that was the source of death for Moses and God’s people earlier. 


Key Themes: 

  • Connection with Torah– the genealogy  mentions all those ancestors and conjures up their stories, and there are 4 quotes from the Hebrew scriptures already in these 2 chapters. 

  • Trust in God–Joseph does not hesitate to make major life changes when instructed by an angel from God. 

  • Power of God (vulnerability) vs power of Rome (violence) 


Questions: 

  • Why is it significant that we remember the stories behind the genealogy, especially those of the women whose names are slipped in an otherwise male list? 

  • Does it matter that this birth story is so different from Luke’s version (no shepherds, angels, or manger; angel speaks to Joseph, not Mary)? Why do you think Matthew would write the story this way?

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