Introduction
The book of Matthew is a Jewish book from around 65AD. Matthew uses a great quantity of Old Testament (OT) quotes which reveal his audience to be Jews who know the Hebrew scriptures.
Matthew will show the Messiahship of Jesus and the Kingdom program of God. Because the Jews rejected their king, Matthew will explain how Israel rejected the King, the Kingdom postponement, and the inauguration of the church as a result of the postponement of the Kingdom.
Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy Prologue
Matthew starts the genealogy off in Mat 1:1 by indicating that Jesus is both, the "son of David" and "the son of Abraham". The "son of David" speaks to Jesus coming as King, as per the Davidic Covenant 2Sa 7:12, Mic 5:2. The Jewish people expected a king to come Joh 1:48-49. The "son of Abraham" speaks to the promise "all people will be blessed through you" Gen 12:3.
Matthew 1:2-17 -The Genealogy
Matthew's begins with Abraham, the first Hebrew Mat 1:2-17. It is interesting to note the women in the genealogy, Tamar - A woman of questionable moral judgment (Gen 38:6-30), Rahab - A Gentile prostitute - (Jos 2:1-24), Ruth - A Moabite Woman (a foreigner) - The Book of Ruth, Uriah's wife - Bathsheba, whom with David bore an illegitimate son, Solomon - (2Sa 11:1-27). These women reveal God's delight in accomplishing His tasks with whomever He chooses. In Mat 1:16 Mary is said to be the "mother of Jesus", hinting at the virgin birth.
Matthew 1:18-20 - Joseph Torn
Betrothal in Jewish Law was the same as marriage, except they didn't live together. Joseph was betrothed to Mary. Pregnancy outside marriage could be a capital crime Deu 22:22-24, or the woman could be put away quietly, which Joseph chose. As a compassionate and righteous man, he was concerned for both Mary and the law. After his struggle and decision to be merciful and settle this quietly, an angel in a dream assured Joseph that he did not need to fear from breaking the law or taking Mary as his wife, for Mary had conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:21-23 - The Angelic Visit
The angel tells Joseph that he is to name the child "Jesus", "because He will save His people from their sins". The Jewish people would have associated Jesus with the Messianic work of salvation. So Jesus's work was to be two fold, to reign as King in Jerusalem, and to save His people (the Jews) from their sin Luk 2:25-30. The angel connects the virgin conception to the prophet Isaiah Isa 7:14, emphasizing that Jesus was indeed God among us. Luke add detail on the topic of Jesus's throne and kingdom, emphasizing "descendant of David" Luk 1:27, who will be given the throne Luk 1:32-33 as an everlasting kingdom.
Matthew 1:24-25 - The Conclusion of the Genealogical Account
Upon receiving the dream, Joseph with no question proceeds with the orderly process of marrying Mary. There is no reason to suspect he went in a hurry to do this, unless their wedding day was already upon them, but Joseph would have just followed their normal course of action. The one thing that Joseph did though is not consummate their marriage until after the birth of Jesus.
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