and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
3. Judah begat Pharez and Zarah by Tamar This was a prelude to that emptying of himself, ᾿Αλλ ᾿ ἑαυτὸν ἐχένωσε, — but he emptied himself. Such is the literal import of the words which are rendered in the English version, But made himself of no reputation. — Ed. of which Paul speaks, (Philippians 2:7).
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
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar,.... The genealogical account of Christ goes on from Judah in the line of Phares, with whom Zara is mentioned; not because they were twins, for so were Jacob and Esau, and yet the latter is taken no notice of; but it may be because of what happened at their birth, see Gen 38:28.