Matthew 1:16

1 Six Marys 2 of whom was born 3 Christ

1 Six Marys

1 Six Marys are to be distinguished in the N.T.:

  • (1) the mother of Jesus; always clearly identified by the context.
  • (2) Mary Magdalene, a woman of Magdala, " out of whom went seven demons" Luke 8:2 She is never mentioned apart from the identifying word "Magdalene."
  • (3) The mother of James (called "the less," Mark 15:40) and Joses, the apostles. A comparison of ; John 19:25; Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40 establishes the inference that this Mary, the mother of James the less, and of Joses was the wife of Alphaeus (called also Cleophas), John 19:25 and a sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Except in ; Matthew 27:61; 28:1 where she is called "the other Mary (i.e. "other" than her sister, Mary the Virgin); and John 19:25 where she is called "of Cleophas," she is mentioned only in connection with one or both of her sons.
  • (4) Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, mentioned by name only in Luke 10:39-42; John 11:1,2,19,20,28,31,32,45; 12:3 but referred to in ; Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3-9.
  • (5) The mother of John Mark and sister of Barnabas Acts 12:12.
  • (6) A helper of Paul in Rome Romans 16:6.

2 of whom was born

2 The changed expression here is important. It is no longer, "who begat," but, "Mary, of whom was born Jesus." Jesus was not begotten of natural generation.

3 Christ

3 Christ (Christos=anointed), the Greek form of the Hebrew "Messiah" Daniel 9:25,26 is the official name of our Lord, as Jesus is his human name ; Luke 1:31; 2:21. The name, or title, "Christ" connects Him with the entire O.T. foreview (See Scofield "Zechariah 12:8") of a coming prophet Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Priest Psalms 110:4 and king 2 Samuel 7:7-10. As these were typically anointed with oil ; 1 Kings 19:16; Exodus 29:7; 1 Samuel 16:13 so Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit ; Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10,11; Luke 3:21,22; John 1:32,33 thus becoming officially "the Christ."
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