THe Book] The word doth not alwayes signifie, a large book, but oftentimes, a brief roll, or catalogue, or emuneration, as Jerem. 3. 8. a bill of divorce, Hebrew, a book. So the Jews did begin their genealogies, Genesis 5:1. of the generation] Luke 3:23. Of the ancestours of our Saviour Christ successively: yet Genesis 5:1. it signifies the posteritie of the first Adam. This is not the title of the whole Book, but onely of the beginning of it. It may include not his ancestours onely, but also the manner of his conception and birth, which is likewise set down in this Chapter, verse 18, &c. and so it may be the title of the whole Chapter. Matthew purposing to write of the life of our Saviour, begins with his pedegree, because he knew the Jews stood much upon their genealogies. of Jesus] The name given him by the angel, with the reason thereof, vers. 21. It signifies, a Saviour. It was sometimes given to others that were types of Christ, as to Joshua, who brought the people into Canaan, to Jehoshua the high priest, after the captivitie, and to divers others, as Acts 13:6. Colossians 4:11. but in a more peculiar manner it is given to Christ, who saves us from our sins. Christ] It is all one with Messias, and signifies, anointed. It sets out unto us the king and priest of the church, for such were wont to be anointed. the son] Herein Matthew differs from the other Evangelists. Mark begins with John Baptists ministry, who was the fore-runner of our Saviour. Luke, with the birth of John Baptist. John, with Christs divinitie. But this Evangelist, with his humanitie, ancestours, and birth. of David] He names onely David and Abraham at first, because to these was the solemn promise made, that the Messias should come of their seed, Genesis 12:3. and 22. 18. 2 Samuel 7:12. Psalms 132:11. Acts 2:30. And to the one was promised a populous progeny, Genesis 15:5. and 22. 17. to the other, a stable kingdom, 2 Samuel 7:12-13. both which were eminently fulfilled in Christ. He names David first, because he was a king, and the Jews, who expected a temporall kingdom with the Messias, looked upon him principally, as the son of David, Chap. 9. 27. and 12. 23. and 15. 22. and 20. 30, 31. and 21. 9, 15. and 22. 42. Mark 11:10. Luke 1:32. John 7:42. Also that ambiguity might be taken away: for if he had named Abraham first, and then David, men might have thought Abraham to have been the son of David. Lastly, that the genealogy might go on the more smoothly, and having once named Abraham, he might go on with him, not naming David between. the son of Abraham] Which David was the son of Abraham: or, which Jesus Christ was the son of Abraham, as well as of David. Thus Matthew reckons up his genealogie, to shew, that he was the promised Messias, and to take away the scandall which the Jews had, because of the poverty of Mary his mother, and Joseph his supposed father.