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Matthew Chapter One

1. Matthew begins with the Record of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham (Matt. 1:1).  Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ.
   1. The Christ/The Messiah (Χριστός christos ^#5547) links Jesus to the Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ māshiy^ach ^#4899) prophecies of the Old Testament (Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25).
   2. The Son of David links Jesus to the Davidic Covenant—eternal Kingship over God’s chosen earthly people (2nd Sam. 7:8-16).
   3. The Son of Abraham links Jesus to the Abrahamic Covenant—eternal blessings for all the families of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3).
2. Matthew’s record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ traces His legal line from Abraham down to Jesus’ legal (not physical) father Joseph (Matt. 1:2-17).
   1. The lineage is selectively edited to show three sections of fourteen generations (Matt. 1:17).
   2. From Abraham to Zerubbabel the lineage is consistent with the Old Testament.
   3. The lineage from Zerubbabel to Joseph is not established via the Old Testament.
      1. His lineage would have been “on the record” with the records kept in the temple.
      2. His enemies attacked his birth as coming from fornication, but never impugned his Davidic lineage.
   4. The five women recorded is highly unusual—a feature not usually found in Old Testament genealogies.
   5. The vocabulary shift in v.16 is critical.  Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus.
3. The circumstances of Jesus’ virgin birth are described from Joseph’s perspective (Matt. 1:18-25).
   1. During Joseph & Mary’s engagement, Mary became pregnant & Joseph planned a discreet divorce (Matt. 1:18-19).
   2. Joseph was a believer (righteous man) who sought Mary’s best interest.
   3. Joseph’s intentions were overruled by the faithfulness of God (Matt. 1:20-21).
   4. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Matt. 1:22-23; Isa. 7:14).
   5. Joseph responded to the angel’s message with unquestioning obedience (Matt. 1:24-25).
   6. Mary’s virginity ended after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 1:25) as she and Joseph gave birth to four more sons and at least two daughters (Ps. 69:8; Matt. 13:55-56).

Luke Chapter One

1. The Gospel of Luke is a historical narrative researched by Luke and written to Most Excellent Theophilus (Lk. 1:1-4). 
   1. Theophilus = God-lover.  Θεόφιλος ^#2321 = θεός theos ^#2316 + φίλος philos ^#5384.  Only here and Acts 1:1.
   2. “Most Excellent” suggests that Theophilus was a person of social and political prominence. Used of political figures: most excellent Felix (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and most excellent Festus (Acts 26:25).
      1. One likely candidate (not provable) is the Jewish high priest from 37-41AD. Jos.Ant. xviii,5,3; xix,6,2.
      2. Annas was high priest from 6-15AD. His son-in-law Caiaphas was high priest from 18-36AD. Both men are featured in the Gospels.
      3. Five sons of Annas also served as high priest prior to 70AD. Eleazer (16-17AD), Jonathan (36-37AD), Theophilus (37-41AD), Matthias (42-44AD), and Ananos II (3 months in 62AD).
2. Matthew’s Gospel handles the narrative prior to the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s standpoint (Matt. 1:18-25).  Luke’s Gospel handles the narrative prior the birth of Jesus from Mary’s standpoint.
   1. Beginning with Mary’s cousins—Zacharias & Elizabeth (Lk. 1:5-25).
   2. Continuing on to the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:26-38).
   3. Mary and her cousins together (Lk. 1:39-56).
   4. Concluding with John the Baptist (Lk. 1:57-80).
3. Zechariah was a priest of the line of Abijah (Lk. 1:5,8-9; 1st Chr. 24:10).  This was the one and only time he would ever be blessed to perform this task in the temple.
4. John the Baptist would be a unique character in the Dispensation of Israel.
   1. He will be the greatest believer to ever live prior to the cross (Lk. 1:15a; Matt. 11:11).
   2. He will serve under a life-long Nazirite vow (Lk. 1:15b; Num. 6:1-21).
   3. He will have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from the womb onward (Lk. 1:15c).
5. Zacharias’ question prompted Divine discipline (Lk. 1:18-20), but Mary’s question prompted a patient explanation (Lk. 1:26-38).
   1. The difference may have been one of faith.  Zacharias asked his question without faith, but Mary asked hers in faith.
   2. The difference may have been one of maturity & accountability.  Due to his maturity and Godliness, Zacharias was expected to have greater faith and was therefore more accountable.  Due to her youth, Mary was shown more patient grace.
6. The song of Mary (Lk. 1:46-55) and the prophecy of Zacharias (Lk. 1:68-79) reflect a thorough understanding of OT doctrine.

Luke Chapter Three

(Outline continues from Day 277)

3. Luke’s record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ traces His physical line from Mary’s father Eli back to Adam (and even God Himself) (Lk. 3:23-58).

John Chapter One

1. The Gospel of John begins with an “In the beginning” that precedes the Gen. 1:1 “In the beginning” (Jn. 1:1-5).
   1. “The Word” ὅ λόγος ho logos ^#3056 is a title for God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
   2. “Was” in the imperfect (ἢν ēn) expresses continuous action in the past—reflecting the eternal nature of God the Son.
      1. His work with (before) God the Father.
      2. His very essence as God.
      3. His unique position before God the Father.
      4. These elements of God the Son are powerful connections between Jn. 1:1-3 and Prov. 8:30-31.
   3. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, ὅ λόγος ho logos was the primary Member of Trinity to accomplish the creation (Jn. 1:3,10; Col. 1:16).
   4. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, ὅ λόγος ho logos was the Member of Trinity who furnished the light of life to the realm of humanity (Jn. 1:4; 5:26; 14:6).
   5. The light of the gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ is Sovereign over the realm of darkness that attempts to blind the eyes of the unbelieving (Jn. 1:5; 2nd Cor. 4:4).

(Chapter One continues on Day 277)