The Birth Narratives
A. The Genealogies recorded in the Gospels
MATTHEW KINGLY
Birth of Jesus and genealogy of Joseph — Matt 1:1-25
Records Joseph’s reflections
Like most ancient genealogies it jumps some generations
Has three sets of names: 3 x 14 = 42 names
Goes from the most ancient person (Abraham) downwards
Includes five notable women
Genealogy is primarily kingly — demonstrating David’s line through Solomon
Although the passage is absolutely clear concerning virgin birth,
Joseph’s line is recorded to show his kingly right to David’s
throne.
NB Jeconiah (vlO & 12)/s equated to Jeholakim in the LXR cf
Jeremiah 22:24-30
Note Isaiah 7:14 in Matt 1:22-23
LUKE HUMAN
Birth of Jesus and genealogy of Mary — Luke 1-3
Records Mary’s reflections
Like most ancient genealogies it jumps some generations
Contains 77 names
Unlike most ancient tables, goes backwards to the most ancient member (Adam)
The genealogy is primarily human — to Adam via David through
Nathan (Luke 1:31, cfZech 12:12)
Luke 1-3 clearly speaks of Jesus’ virgin birth and that Joseph was
not his father. The text of v23 is best read “Jesus.. .was. . .the son
of Hell...” Hell was the father of Mary, therefore Jesus’
grandfather, and biologically David’s descendent through Nathan.
Note Isaiah 7:14 in Luke 1:27-31
B. Notes on Old Testament Prophecy of Virgin Birth:
Isaiah 7
vlO-12 Addressed to Ahaz (singular)
v13-15 Addressed to house of David (plural)
v14 a) ‘alma’ means ‘virgin’ or ‘young woman’ — Every
Biblical reference to ‘alma’ refers to ‘virgins’ — Gen
24:43, (Cf 24:16), Ex 2:8, Psalm 68:25, Prov 30:19,
Song of Songs 1:3, 6:8. The alternative word
‘bethulah’ (normally translated ‘virgin’) is used for a
woman who has been married in Joel 1:8.
b) A ~ — in heaven or sheol — means something
supernatural expected.
c) The birth brings ‘Emmanuel’ — ie brings God to us!
v8-17 Jerusalem is under threat from Syria and Ephraim
(Israel, the Northern Kingdom). Verse 8 predicts the
conquering of those kingdoms by Assyria in 670 BC.
Verse 15 ‘curds and honey’ refer to 2 or 3 years
time, when Syria would be defeated. Verse 16
‘choosing between good and evil’ refers to l2years
time when the Northern Kingdom would be
destroyed.
C. Notes on New Testament Narratives
THE ANGELIC VISITATIONS
1. Zacharias— Luke 1:11-17
v5 ‘in days of Herod’ (reigned 40 BC — 4 BC) — an evil king
v7 ‘no child. ..barren’ — the barrenness of God’s people
v9 ‘his lot to burn incense.. .whole multitude of people praying’
- the atmosphere of prayer and worship
v12 ‘Fear not’ as Zacharias is ‘troubled’ and fearful
v13 ‘Your prayer is heard!’ — prayer for Israel probably — ‘and
your wife shall bear a son!’
v14 ‘Call his name John’ = ‘God is merciful’
(lit. Jehovah shows grace)
v15 Not only ‘great (significant)’ but a Nazarite and filled with
the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb — three expressions
of his uniqueness
v16 ‘Shall turn many to the Lord their God’ — perhaps answers
Zacharias’ prayer
v18 Zacharias ‘I am an old man’
Gabriel ‘I am Gabriel (meaning “man of God”) who stands
in the presence of God’
v20 my words.~shaIl be fulfilled in their season cf Luke 1:38
v22 Zacharias’ words were silenced for a season.
2. Mary—Luke 1:26-38
v26 ‘Gabriel was sent’ — God’s initiative
v27 ‘espoused’ = binding engagement, a marriage not yet
consummated.
v28 ‘Hail’, ‘favoured one’, ‘the Lord is with thee’ is a threefold
mark of grace, reiterated in v30
v31 ‘Behold’— (‘Look’, ‘pay attention’) = something
supernatural announced
v31 ‘Call Him Jesus’ = ‘God is salvation’
v32 Threefold emphasis on greatness — ‘great’, ‘Son of Highest’,
‘throne of David’
v33 ‘He shall rule...’, forever, ‘of His kingdom...’ no end.
The whole prophecy is emphasizing the supernatural divine nature
of the event, and of the baby to be born.
v34 Mary declares her virginity
v35 Fourfold expression of God’s activity and nature — ‘Holy
Ghost’, ‘Power of the Highest’, ‘Holy’, ‘Son of God’
v36 ‘Behold’ — something supernatural again
v37 ‘Nothing is impossible with God’ or ‘No word of God is void
of power’
v38 Mary received the word of God in faith (obedience).
3. Joseph — Matt 1:18-23
v18 ‘before they came together’ she was found ‘with child of
the Holy Ghost’ — Matthew agrees with Luke concerning
the supernatural nature of the event. The angel reiterates
this in v20.
v19 Joseph decided to divorce Mary privately
v20 ‘Do not fear’ — said to all who received angelic visitations —
Zacharias, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
v21 ‘bring forth a son’
v21 Naming the child: Joseph commissioned (‘thou’ = singular)
to name Him Jesus, ‘for He shall save...’ = mission of Jesus
is declared.
v22-23 cf Isaiah 7:14
copyright Faith Forster
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