And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
16. Jesus, who is called Christ By the surname Christ, Anointed, Matthew points out his office, to inform the readers that this was not a private person, but one divinely anointed to perform the office of Redeemer. What that anointing was, and to what it referred, I shall not now illustrate at great length.
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 Jacob begat Joseph,.... According to an old tradition mentioned by (p) Epiphanins, this Jacob, the father of Joseph, was named Panther, and which name perhaps is originally Jewish; and it may be observed, that Joseph is sometimes called by the Jewish writers Pandera (q), and Jesus , the son of Pandira (r).