In ancient times, most ‘formal family trees’ projected strength, purity, and worthiness. Scandal was white-washed; weakness was removed; women went unnamed. The purpose of such a genealogy would be to prove status and claim power. But not Jesus’. Far from what was common, conventional, or clean, Matthew presents Jesus’ family tree with its corruption, compromise, and catastrophe—for all to clearly see.

At Christmas, we love trees a little more than usual. In fact, many of us even bring a fresh one into our own living room — sap, stench, and all. Anchor it with a base. Wrap it with lights. Garnish it with ornaments. Surround it with gifts. And then christen it with a star. All done many days before Christmas morning, as a way of leading up to it. In a way, the tree sets the scene; creates the anticipation; primes our feelings.

The Christmas story in the gospel of Matthew opens in a similar way—it too starts with a ‘tree’ that sets the scene, creates the anticipation, and primes our feelings — readying us for the birth of Christ. This ‘tree’ also is wrapped in light; adorned with hope; surrounded with unexpected gifts; and christened with a Star. Except, unlike our Christmas tree, this ‘tree’ is not anchored in metal or plastic, but in history and promise. What is this ‘tree’ in Scripture?

It’s none other than the ‘family tree’ of Jesus.

This tree is great and ancient — whose roots and branches shoot across the Old Testament and whose flower blossoms in the New. And Matthew’s presentation of this ‘family tree’ — like any glorious Christmas tree — does not disappoint. In fact, it’s the most beautiful tree you’ll see this Christmas.

Jesus’ family tree beams with fulfillment, hope, and surprise — core elements of Christmas awe and wonder — all the way up to His birth. Let’s take a look at each:

Fulfillment

Just as Christmas trees glow from top to bottom in beautiful lights, so Jesus’ family tree glows from start to finish in brilliant fulfillment.

Matthew’s gospel harkens one, grand, overarching theme: Jesus fulfills the Old Testament in every way. And that includes, incredibly, even Jesus’ own family tree. For proof, Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage back to King David, and then even further, to patriarch Abraham (1:1)—the two figures who received God’s most important promises. This means Jesus, by birth, can uniquely fulfill them simply by virtue of his own lineage.

But, there’s even more: Jesus’ genealogy doesn’t just validate Him as the unique Fulfiller of God’s promises; it also points to Him as the ultimate Fulfillment of God’s people.

How so? Matthew reveals a brilliant fulfillment found in the generational eras of this family tree, from Abraham to David to Jesus.

• From Abraham to David = 14 generations. (1:2-6)
• From David to the Exile = 14 generations. (1:7-11)
• From the Exile to Jesus = 14 generations (1:12-17.

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