Matthew doesn’t use the title “Christ” casually in chapter 1—it’s his opening claim that Jesus is the Messiah Israel had been waiting for. By tracing Jesus’ genealogy to Abraham and David and showing the virgin birth fulfills Isaiah 7:14, Matthew makes clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy.
For you, this means Jesus isn’t just a historical figure—He is the Anointed One who saves His people from sin and reigns as the promised King. Every detail of Matthew 1 is designed to prove His identity and mission. Keep reading for a deeper dive into why Matthew starts his Gospel this way.
![Verse of the Day —Romans 5:8 [Meaning & 5 Takeaways]](https://i0.wp.com/powerfuljesus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/When-Did-Jesus-First-Mention-the-Church-2.webp?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
When you open the New Testament, the very first verse you read is:
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah [Christ] the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1, NIV)
Right from the start, Matthew makes a bold claim by calling Jesus “Christ.” He doesn’t treat it like just another name—it’s a title loaded with meaning. But why does Matthew call Jesus “Christ” in chapter 1?
The answer lies in prophecy, covenant promises, and Matthew’s mission to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills God’s plan. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. “Christ” Means “Messiah”
The word “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, which means “Anointed One.” In Hebrew, the equivalent is Mashiach—or “Messiah.”
- In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of being chosen by God.
- The Messiah was expected to be God’s ultimate anointed king, the one who would rule forever and bring salvation to His people.
- By using the title “Christ,” Matthew is declaring that Jesus isn’t just another man—He’s the promised Messiah.
This isn’t a casual label. Matthew is making a direct theological statement about who Jesus is.
2. Matthew’s Audience Expected the Messiah
Matthew was writing primarily for a Jewish audience. For them, the hope of a Messiah was central. They were looking for:
- A Son of David – A king from David’s line who would restore Israel (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
- A Deliverer – Someone who would free them from oppression, as seen in prophecies like Isaiah 9:6–7.
- A Savior – The one who would rescue God’s people from sin and establish God’s kingdom.
By opening with “Jesus Christ,” Matthew is telling his readers: This is the One you’ve been waiting for.
3. The Genealogy Connects Jesus to Prophecy
Matthew 1:1–17 traces Jesus’ family line back to Abraham and David. This genealogy isn’t just history—it’s prophecy fulfilled.
- Abraham’s promise – God told Abraham that through his seed, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Jesus fulfills this by bringing salvation to the world.
- David’s covenant – God promised David a throne that would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus, as the Son of David, fulfills this eternal kingship.
- Exile to Christ – Even in exile, God’s plan didn’t fail. The genealogy ends with Jesus, proving He is the climax of Israel’s story.
Calling Him “Christ” in verse 1 ties the genealogy to its purpose: to show Jesus is the rightful heir to the promises.
4. Prophecy About the Messiah Fulfilled in Jesus
Matthew constantly uses the phrase: “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet…”
In chapter 1 alone:
- The virgin birth fulfills Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:22–23)
- The role of Joseph in naming Jesus fulfills the Davidic connection, giving Him legal right to the throne.
By linking Jesus to prophecy, Matthew shows that the title “Christ” isn’t just honorary—it’s proof that Jesus meets every messianic expectation.
5. “Christ” Defines Jesus’ Mission
When the angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he says:
“You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Here’s what’s happening:
- “Jesus” (Yeshua) means “The Lord saves.”
- “Christ” means “Messiah, Anointed One.”
By pairing these names, Matthew makes it clear: Jesus isn’t just a king—He’s the Savior. His mission is to deliver people from sin, which is far greater than any political or military victory the Jews might have expected.
6. Matthew Emphasizes Jesus as Immanuel
Right after calling Him Christ, Matthew quotes Isaiah:
“…they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23)
This shows that:
- Jesus isn’t only the Messiah by lineage—He’s the divine Messiah.
- As Immanuel, He’s not simply ruling for God, but He is God with His people.
- The title “Christ” is linked to His divine mission, not just His human role as king.
7. Why Matthew Uses “Christ” at the Start
By calling Jesus “Christ” in the very first verse, Matthew sets the tone for his entire Gospel. He wants his readers to understand:
- Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy – He meets every Old Testament expectation.
- Jesus is the Messiah they’ve been waiting for – the Son of David and Son of Abraham.
- Jesus is the Savior – His mission is to save from sin, not just to restore political power.
It’s Matthew’s way of framing the story before it even begins: Everything you’re about to read proves that Jesus is the Christ.
8. How This Applies to You
So, why should it matter that Matthew calls Jesus “Christ”?
- You can trust God’s promises – Every prophecy was fulfilled in Him. God keeps His word.
- You have a true Savior – Jesus came to save you from sin, not just improve your circumstances.
- You’re part of God’s story – As the Christ, Jesus isn’t just Israel’s Messiah—He’s your Messiah too.
The title “Christ” assures you that Jesus is the One chosen and anointed to rescue you and bring you into God’s kingdom.
9. Key Takeaways
- “Christ” means “Messiah,” the Anointed One promised in the Old Testament.
- Matthew uses the title to declare Jesus fulfills the promises to Abraham and David.
- Prophecy in Isaiah and other Scriptures confirm His identity.
- Jesus’ mission as Christ is to save His people from sin and bring God’s presence to humanity.
Conclusion
Matthew calls Jesus “Christ” in chapter 1 to make a bold statement: Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the Savior of the world. The genealogy, the virgin birth, and the title Immanuel all point to the same truth—Jesus is the one God promised.
For you, this means confidence. When you call Him Jesus Christ, you’re not just using a name—you’re declaring that He is the Anointed One who fulfills God’s plan, the Savior who forgives, and the King who reigns forever.
FAQs: Why Does Matthew Call Jesus “Christ” in Chapter 1?
1. Why does Matthew call Jesus “Christ” in chapter 1?
Matthew calls Jesus “Christ” in chapter 1 to declare Him as the Messiah, the Anointed One promised in the Old Testament. By using this title, Matthew shows that Jesus fulfills prophecy and is the Savior sent by God.
2. What does the title “Christ” mean in Matthew 1?
The title “Christ” comes from the Greek Christos, meaning “Anointed One.” It’s the equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah. In Matthew 1, this emphasizes Jesus as the chosen King, Savior, and fulfillment of God’s promises.
3. How does Matthew’s genealogy support calling Jesus “Christ”?
Matthew’s genealogy connects Jesus to Abraham and David, fulfilling God’s covenant promises. Since the Messiah had to come from David’s royal line, the genealogy proves Jesus has the right to be called “Christ.”
4. Why is prophecy important to Matthew calling Jesus “Christ”?
Prophecy is vital because it proves Jesus matches the Old Testament expectations of the Messiah. In Matthew 1:22–23, the virgin birth fulfills Isaiah 7:14, confirming that Jesus is “Immanuel, God with us,” and worthy of the title “Christ.”
5. How does the name “Jesus” connect with the title “Christ” in Matthew 1?
The angel tells Joseph to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When paired with the title “Christ,” it emphasizes that Jesus is the Savior and the Messiah who brings spiritual deliverance.
6. Why did Matthew use “Christ” at the very beginning of his Gospel?
Matthew uses “Christ” immediately in chapter 1:1 to frame his Gospel around Jesus as the Messiah. From the opening verse, he establishes that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and the central figure of God’s plan.
7. How does the title “Christ” reveal Jesus’ mission?
The title “Christ” shows that Jesus wasn’t just a king or prophet but the anointed Savior who came to deliver people from sin. Matthew highlights this mission in 1:21, where the angel explains His role in salvation.
8. How does the title “Christ” connect Jesus to David?
Matthew calls Jesus “the Christ” to highlight His role as the Son of David, the promised king whose throne would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). This fulfills the expectation that the Messiah would come from David’s royal line.
9. Why is calling Jesus “Christ” significant for Matthew’s Jewish audience?
For Matthew’s Jewish audience, the title “Christ” confirmed that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. By using it, Matthew connects Jesus directly to their hope for God’s promised Savior.
10. What does Matthew calling Jesus “Christ” mean for believers today?
For believers today, Matthew calling Jesus “Christ” affirms that He is God’s chosen Messiah, Savior, and King. It means you can trust Him as the fulfillment of God’s promises and rely on Him for forgiveness and eternal life.
