and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
- KJV And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
- NKJV And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
- NASB Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
- NLT Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The line ends not "Joseph the father of Jesus" but with Jesus born of Mary, Joseph's wife. The careful wording guards the truth of the virgin birth.
Overview
Matthew breaks the pattern of "became the father of" to avoid saying Joseph physically fathered Jesus. Joseph is named as Mary's husband, giving Jesus legal Davidic descent, while "from whom" (referring to Mary) preserves that Jesus was born of her alone. "Who is called Christ" identifies him as the long-awaited Anointed One toward whom the whole genealogy pointed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Matt 27:17So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
- Luke 3:23Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
- John 4:25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”
- Matt 27:22“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
- Luke 1:31–35Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
- Mark 6:3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
- Matt 2:13When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
- Luke 1:27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
- Luke 2:48When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”
- Luke 2:7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Luke 4:22All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.
- Luke 2:10–11But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
- Luke 2:4–5So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
- Matt 1:18–25This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Pastoral
On the genealogy and the name Immanuel.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 1:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.