Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Matthew passes over Ishmael and Esau in silence, yet rightly includes all twelve patriarchs to whom God gave the blessing of adoption. He shows us that the promise of Christ belongs not to Judah's tribe alone, but equally to all Jacob's children whom God gathered into His Church, while Ishmael and Esau stand rejected as strangers to it.
AI summary
This genealogy proves a title, like evidence in court: it establishes that Jesus is the son of David and son of Abraham, from the nation and family out of which the Messiah was to arise. Abraham and David were the great trustees of the promise. Whoever would have interest in Christ as the son of Abraham must be a faithful subject to Him as the son of David, by whom all families of the earth are to be ruled.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 1:1-17
The Messiah springs from Isaac, not from Ishmael; from Jacob, not from Esau; from Judah, not his brothers. This line is fixed by prophecy and necessity. Yet the brethren are named because though Christ came from Judah's tribe alone, the promise was made to all twelve, and He is said to be of them all.
AI summary