When people read Matthew 1, they typically focus on Jesus. And that is of course proper. Sometimes we talk about the miracle of Jesus’ virgin birth. Sometimes we talk about the fulfillment of prophecy. Sometimes we talk about the wonder of having God present with us on earth. But as true as those topics are, none of them is the focus of this chapter. Jesus isn’t the main character in the story—he isn’t born until the last verse, and he doesn’t do anything even when he’s mentioned. Mary isn’t the main character either—she’s talked about, but she doesn’t really do anything either.
1 In Matthew 1:18–25, the author’s primary focus is on the house of David, in order to show how Jesus is from that house. The main character is Joseph. It is his genealogy in verses 1–16; it is he who receives the angelic message; it is he who takes Mary as his wife; and it is he who names the Lord Jesus.
Joseph extended his genealogy to Jesus through adoption. Jesus was not born a son of David, but he became a son of David because Joseph obeyed God.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.