Matthew Chapter 1 | Best devotional materials, including: introduction, background, main content, Bible reading and prayer video, Scripture, and post-reading prayer to help you gain a deeper understanding of biblical truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to our One Chapter per day Bible reading time.

By God’s grace, today we will read Matthew chapter 1.

This chapter begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, showing us how God’s promises through Abraham and David were faithfully fulfilled in Christ. It also tells us about the birth of Jesus, who is called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Through this passage, we see God’s perfect plan of salvation unfolding step by step.

Let us come with reverence and gratitude to listen to God’s Word together. 

Matthew Chapter 1 Introduction:

Matthew chapter 1 records both the genealogy of Jesus Christ and the account of His birth. This chapter lays the foundation for the entire Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing that Jesus is the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament — the descendant of Abraham and David, the Savior prepared by God for humanity. Matthew 1 not only reveals Jesus’ lineage but also shows the continuation and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan throughout history.

Main Content of Matthew Chapter 1:
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (verses 1–17)
Matthew begins with a detailed genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to David, from David to the exile in Babylon, and finally to Jesus Himself. This genealogy clearly connects Jesus to Israel’s history, proving He is the legitimate heir to David’s throne and the fulfillment of the covenant promises. Matthew highlights three sets of fourteen generations, showing that God’s plan of salvation unfolded in an orderly and purposeful way.

The Birth of Jesus Christ (verses 18–25)
The chapter then describes the miraculous birth of Jesus. Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being a righteous man, planned to quietly end the engagement, but an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him that this was God’s divine plan. The angel instructed Joseph to name the child Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves,” for He would save His people from their sins. This passage also fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be called Immanuel—“God with us”—revealing the divine nature and mission of Christ.

Spiritual Significance of Matthew Chapter 1:
Matthew 1 reminds us that God’s plan never stops unfolding. The genealogy is not a random list of names but a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness through generations. The birth of Jesus is not a coincidence but the climax of divine purpose—God Himself entering human history to bring salvation. Jesus as Immanuel means that God is truly with us—in our struggles, our hopes, and our redemption.

Through Matthew chapter 1, we see that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah and the living proof of God’s faithfulness. As we begin our daily Bible reading with this chapter, may it remind us that God’s promises are sure, His plan is perfect, and His presence is with us every step of our spiritual journey.

Matthew Chapter 1 YouTube Bible Reading and Prayer Video:

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

4 Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

6 and Jesse the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asa,

8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,

Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah,

11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,

Abihud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

14 Azor the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Akim,

Akim the father of Elihud,

15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.