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Text and Notes of Matthew 1-4
Below is a portion of the Geneva Bible, complete with
introduction and notes, from the first four chapters of the Gospel
According to Matthew. I have omitted the cross-references and page
headings, and have modernized the spelling. The footnote reference
characters used in the Geneva Bible are replaced with numbers here. The
text and notes are taken from the photographic facsimile of the 1560
edition printed in The Geneva Bible, a Facsimile of the 1560 edition,
with an Introduction by Lloyd E. Berry (Madison: University of
Wisconsin Press, 1969). Later editions of the Geneva Bible often have a
different set of notes. Editions printed after 1587 generally have the
notes written in 1576 by Laurence Tomson (1539-1608), a one-time
lecturer in Hebrew at Geneva. --M.D.M.
THE HOLY (1) GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST,
(2) ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.
THE ARGUMENT.
In this history written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the
Spirit of God so governed their hearts, that although they were four in
number, yet in effect and purpose they so consent, as though the whole
had been composed by any one of them. And albeit in style and manner of
writing they be diverse, and sometime one writeth more largely that
which the other doth abridge: nevertheless in matter and argument they
all tend to one end: which is, to publish to the world the favour of God
toward mankind through Christ Jesus, whom the Father hath given as a
pledge of his mercy and love. And for this cause they entitle their
story, Gospel, which signifieth good tidings, forasmuch as God hath
performed in deed that which the fathers hoped for. So that hereby we
are admonished to forsake the world, and the vanities thereof, and with
most affectioned hearts embrace this incomparable treasure freely
offered unto us: for there is no joy nor consolation, no peace nor
quietness, no felicity nor salvation, but in Jesus Christ, who is the
very substance of this Gospel, and in whom all the promises are yea, and
amen. And therefore under this word is contained the whole New
Testament: but commonly we use this name for the history, which the four
Evangelists write, containing Christ's coming in the flesh, his death
and resurrection, which is the perfect sum of our salvation. Matthew,
Mark, and Luke are more copious in describing his life and death: but
John more laboureth to set forth his doctrine, wherein both Christ's
office, and also the virtue of his death and resurrection more fully
appear: for without this, to know that Christ was born, dead and risen
again, should nothing profit us. The which thing notwithstanding that
the three first touch partly, as he also sometime intermeddleth the
historical narration, yet John chiefly is occupied herein. And therefore
as a most learned interpreter writeth, they describe, as it were, the
body, and John setteth before our eyes the soul. Wherefore the same
aptly termed the Gospel writ by John, the key which openeth the door to
the understanding of the others: for whosoever doth know the office,
virtue and power of Christ, shall read that which is written of the Son
of God come to be the redeemer of the world, with most profit. Now as
concerning the writers of this history, it is evident that Matthew was a
publican or custom gatherer, and was thence chosen of Christ to be an
Apostle. Mark is thought to have been Peter's disciple, and to have
planted the first church at Alexandria, where he died the eighth year of
the reign of Nero. Luke was a physician of Antiochia and became Paul's
disciple, and fellow in all his travails: he lived fourscore and four
years, and was buried at Constantinople. John was that Apostle whom the
Lord loved, the son of Zebedeus, and brother of James: he died
threescore years after Christ, and was buried near to the city of
Ephesus.
CHAP. I.
1 The genealogy of Christ, that is, the Messiah promised to the
fathers, 18 Who was conceived by the holy Ghost, and born of the virgin
Mary, when she was betrothed unto Joseph. 20 The Angel satisfieth
Joseph's mind. 21 Why he is called Jesus, and wherefore Emmanuel.
1 The (3)book of the generation of
Jesus Christ the (4)son of
(5)David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham
begat Isaac. And Isaac begat Jacob. And Jacob begat Judas and his
brethren. 3 And Judas begat Phares, and Zara (6)of
Thamar. And Phares begat Esrom. And Esrom begat Aram. 4 And Aram begat
Aminadab. And Aminadab begat Naasson. And Naasson begat Salmon. 5 And
Salmon begat Booz of (7)Rachab. And Booz
begat Obed of Ruth. And Obed begat Jesse. 6 And Jesse begat David the
King. And David the King begat Solomon of her that was the wife
of Urias. 7 And Solomon begat Roboam. And Roboam begat Abia. And Abia
begat Asa. 8 And Asa begat Josaphat. And Josaphat begat Joram. And Joram
begat Ozias. 9 And Ozias begat (8)Joatham.
And Joatham begat Achaz. And Achaz begat Ezecias. 10 And Ezecias begat
Manasses. And Manasses begat Amon. And Amon begat Josias. 11 And Josias
begat Jacim. And Jacim begat Jechonias and his brethren about the time
they were carried away to Babylon. 12 And after they were carried away
into Babylon, Jechonias begat (9)Salathiel.
And Salathiel begat Zorobabel. 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud. And Abiud
begat Eliacim. And Eliacim begat Azor. 14 And Azor begat Sadoc. And
Sadoc begat Achim. And Achim begat Eliud. 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar.
And Eleazar begat Matthan. And Matthan begat Jacob. 16 And Jacob begat
Joseph, the husband of Mary, (10)of whom
was born jesus, that is called (11)Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen
generations. And from David until they were carried away into Babylon,
fourteen generations: and after they were carried away into Babylon
until Christ, fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of jesus Christ was thus, When as his mother Mary
was betrothed to Joseph, (12)before they
came together, she was found (13)with
child of the holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband being a
(14)just man, and not willing to make
her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But whiles
he thought these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him
in a (15)dream, saying, Joseph the
(16)son of David, fear not to take Mary
for thy wife: for that which is conceived in her, is of the holy
Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
(17)jesus: for he shall save his people
from their sins. 22 And all this was done that it might be fulfilled,
which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin
shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and
(18)they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is by
interpretation, (19)God with us.
24 Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord
had enjoined him, and took his wife. 25 But he knew her not, till she
had brought forth her (20)firstborn son,
and he called his name jesus.
CHAP. II.
1 The time and place of Christ's birth. 11 The Wisemen offer their
presents. 14 Christ fleeth into Egypt. 16 The young children are slain.
23 Joseph turneth into Galilee.
1 When jesus then was born at Bethlehem in (21)Judea,
in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came
(22)Wisemen from the East to Jerusalem. 2 Saying, Where is the
King of the Jews that is born? for we have seen his
(23)star in the East, and are come
(24)to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this, he
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all
the chief Priests and Scribes of the people, he asked of them, where
Christ should be born. 5 (25)And they
said unto him, At Bethlehem in Judea: for so it is written by the
Prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judea, art not the least
among the Princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come the governor that
shall feed my people Israel. 7 Then Herod (26)privily
called the Wisemen, and diligently inquired of them the time of
the star that appeared, 8 And sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go, and
search diligently for the babe: and when ye have found him, bring me
word again, that I may come also, and worship him.
9 So when they had heard the King, they departed: and lo, the
(27)star which they had seen in the
East, went before them, till it came, and stood over the place
where the babe was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with an
exceeding great joy, 11 And went into the house, and
(28)found the babe with Mary his mother, and fell down,
and worshipped him, and opened their treasures, and presented unto him
gifts, (29)even gold, and
incense, and myrrh. 12 And after they were warned of God in a dream,
that they should (30)not go again to
Herod, they returned into their country another way.
13 After their departure, behold the Angel of the Lord appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the babe and his mother, and
flee into Egypt, and be there till I bring thee word: for Herod will
seek the babe, to destroy him. 14 So he arose and took the babe and his
mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 15 And was there unto the
death of Herod, (31)that it might be
fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying, Out of
Egypt have I called my Son.
16 (32)Then Herod, seeing that he was
mocked of the Wisemen, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all
the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof,
from two year old and under, according to the time which he had
diligently searched out of the Wisemen. 17 Then was that fulfilled which
was spoken by the Prophet Jeremias, saying, 18 In
(33)Rama was a voice heard, mourning, and weeping and great
lamentation: Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be
comforted, because they (34)were not. 19
And when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeareth in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the babe and his
mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are
(35)dead which sought the babe's life. 21 Then he arose
up, and took the babe and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in stead of his
father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: (36)yet
after he was warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of
Galilee, 23 And went and dwelt in a city called Nazaret, that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, which was, That he
should be called (37)a
(38)Nazarite.
CHAP. III.
1 The office, doctrine, and life of John. 7 The Pharisees are
reproved. 8 The fruits of repentance. 18 Christ is baptized in Jordan,
17 And authorized by God his Father.
1 And in (39)those days, John the
Baptist came and preached in the (40)wilderness
of Judea, 22 And said, (41)Repent: for
the (42)kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3
For this is he of whom it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias, saying, The
voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, is, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord: make his paths straight. 4 And this John had his
(43)garment of camel's hair, and a
girdle of a skin about his loins: his meat was also
(44)(45)locusts and wild
honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the
region round about Jordan. 6 And they were baptized of him in Jordan,
(46)confessing their sins. 7 Now when he
saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees come to his baptism, he
said unto them, O (47)generations of
vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the anger to come? 8 Bring
forth therefore (48)fruits worthy
amendment of life, 9 And think not to say with yourselves, We have
Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also is the
(49)axe put to the root of the trees:
therefore every tree, which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down,
and cast into the fire. 11 Indeed I baptize you with water to amendment
of life, but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I
am not worthy to bear: he will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with
(50)fire. 12 Which hath his
(51)fan in his hand, and will make clean
his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner, but will burn up the
chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized
of him. 14 But John put him back, saying, I have need to be baptized of
thee, and comest thou to me? 15 Then Jesus answering, said to him, Let
be now: for thus it becometh us to (52)fulfill
all righteousness. So he suffered him. 16 And Jesus when he was
baptized, came straight out of the water. And lo, the heavens were
opened unto him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a
(53)dove, and lighting upon him. 17 And
lo, a voice came from heaven, saying, (54)This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
CHAP. IV.
1 Christ fasteth and is tempted. 11 The Angels minister unto him.
17 He beginneth to preach. 18 He calleth Peter, Andrew, James, and John,
and healeth all the sick.
1 Then was Jesus led aside (55)of the
Spirit into the wilderness, to be (56)tempted
of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days, and forty nights, he
was afterward hungry. 3 Then came to him the tempter, and said, If thou
be the Son of God, (57)command that
these stones be made bread. 4 But he answering, said, It is written, Man
shall not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of
the mouth of God.
NOTES
1. This word signifieth good tidings,
and is taken here for the story which containeth the joyful message of
the coming of the Son of God promised from the beginning.
2. That is, written and taught by
Matthew.
3. This is the rehearsal of the
progeny, whereof Jesus Christ is sprung according to the flesh.
4. So called, for that he came of the
stock of David.
5. These two are first rehearsed,
because Christ was especially promised to come of them and their seed,
and therefore Christ commonly was called the son of David, because the
promise was more evidently confirmed unto him.
6. By incestuous adultery, the which
shame setteth forth his great humility, who made himself of no
reputation, but became a servant for our sakes: yea, a worm and no man,
the reproach of men, and contempt of the people, and at length suffered
the accursed death of the cross.
7. Rachab and Ruth, being Gentiles,
signify that Christ came not only of the Jews, and for them, but also of
the Gentiles, and for their salvation.
8. He hath omitted three Kings, Joas,
Amasia, Azaria, abridging the number to make the times fourteen
generations.
9. After the captivity, the title
royal was appointed unto him: so that notwithstanding that they were as
slaves for the space of seventy years, yet by the providence of God the
government remained in the family of David, where it continued till the
coming of Christ.
10. Albeit the Jews number their
kindred by the malekind: yet this lineage of Mary is comprehended under
the same, because she was married to a man of her own stock and tribe.
11. Who is the true King, Priest,
and Prophet anointed of God to accomplish the office of the redeemer.
12. Before he took her home to him.
13. As the Angel afterward declared
to Joseph.
14. Upright and fearing God, and
therefore suspecting that she had committed fornication before she was
betrothed, would neither retain her, which by the Law should be married
to another, neither by accusing her put her to shame for her fact.
15. This dream is witnessed by the
holy Ghost, and is a kind of revelation, Num. 12.6.
16. This name putteth him in
remembrance of God's promises to David.
17. That is, a Saviour.
18. Or, thou.
19. God is joined with us by the
means of Jesus Christ, who is both God and man.
20. Christ is here called the
firstborn, because she had never none before, and not in respect of any
she had after. Neither yet doth this word 'till' import always a time
following: wherein the contrary may be affirmed, as our Saviour, saying,
that he will be present with his disciples, till the end of the world,
meaneth not, that after this world he will not be with them.
21. For there is another Bethlehem
in the tribe of Zebulun.
22. Wisemen, or Magi, in the
Persians' and Chaldeans' tongue signify Philosophers, Priests, or
astronomers, and are here the first fruits of the Gentiles that came to
worship Christ.
23. An extraordinary sign to set
forth that King's honour, whom the world did not esteem.
24. Which was a declaration of that
reverence, which the Gentiles should bear unto Christ.
25. They could well tell of Christ
in general: but when they should profess his name, and give him his due
honour, they wax cold, and shrink back.
26. An evil conscience is a burning
fire.
27. The star vanished away before,
to the intent they should tarry at Jerusalem, and there inquire of the
thing, to the confusion of the Jews.
28. Or, saw.
29. The Persian manner was not to
salute Kings without a present, and therefore they brought of that which
was most precious in their country, whereof every one of them offered.
30. Promise ought not to be kept,
where God's honour and preaching of his truth is hindered: or else it
ought not to be broken.
31. That which was prefigured by the
deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, which were Christ's Church
and his body, is now verified, and accomplished in the head Christ.
32. Within a certain time after.
33. Herod renewed the sorrow which
the Benjamites had suffered long before: yet for all his cruelty he
could not bring to pass, that Christ should not reign.
34. That is, they were killed and
dead.
35. Thus the faithful may see how
God hath infinite means to preserve them from the rage of tyrants.
36. Or, therefore.
37. Or, of Nazaret.
38. Which is holy and consecrated to
God: alluding unto those that were Nazarites in the old Law, which were
a figure of that holiness which should be manifestd in Christ, as was
Samson, Joseph, &c.
39. In the first year of the reign
of Tiberius, after Christ had long time remained in Nazaret, and was now
about 30 year old.
40. So called in respect of the
plain country and fertile valleys: and not because it was not inhabited.
41. Or, be sorry for your faults
past, and amend.
42. Which is, that God will reign
over us, gather us unto him, pardon our sins, and adopt us by the
preaching of the Gospel.
43. Woven with hair, as gross
haircloth.
44. Such meats as nature brought
forth without man's labour or diligence: read Levit. 11.22.
45. Or, grasshoppers.
46. Acknowledging their faults: for
there is no repentance without confession.
47. Or, broods.
48. He menaceth those venomous and
malicious Pharisees with the judgment of God, except they show before
men such works as are agreeable to the profession of the godly, whom
Isaiah called the trees of righteousness, chap. 61.3.
49. The judgment of God is at hand
to destroy such as are not meet to be of his Church.
50. When God baptizeth inwardly with
the virtue of his Spirit, he burneth, and consumeth the vices and
inflameth the hearts with love toward him.
51. Which is the preaching of the
Gospel, whereby he gathereth the faithful as good corn, and scattereth
the infidels as chaff.
52. We must render perfect obedience
to God in all things, which he hath ordained.
53. To show the state of his
kingdom, which is in all meekness and lowliness.
54. The favour of God rested on
Jesus Christ, that from him it might be poured on us, which deserve of
ourselves his wrath, and indignation.
55. By the holy Ghost.
56. To the end that he overcoming
these temptations might get the victory for us.
57. Satan would have Christ to
distrust God and his word, and follow other strange and unlawful means.
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