Editing Matthew 1:1 Scofield Reference Notes (section)

==Matthew 1:16==
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

[1] Six Marys

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" Lk 8:2 She is never mentioned apart from the identifying word "Magdalene."

(3) The mother of James (called "the less," Mk 15:40) and Joses, the apostles. A comparison of Jn 19:25 Mt 27:56 Mk 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), Jn 19:25 and a sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Except in Mt 27:61 28:1 where she is called "the other Mary (i.e. "other" than her sister, Mary the Virgin); and Jn 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 Lk 10:39-42 Jn 11:1,2,19,20,28,31,32,45 12:3 but referred to in Mt 26:7 Mk 14:3-9.

(5) The mother of John Mark and sister of Barnabas Acts 12:12.

(6) A helper of Paul in Rome Rom 16:6.

[2] of whom was born

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

Christ (Christos=anointed), the Greek form of the Hebrew "Messiah" Dan 9:25,26 is the official name of our Lord, as Jesus is his human name Lk 1:31 2:21. The name, or title, "Christ" connects Him with the entire O.T. foreview See Scofield Note: "Zech 12:8" of a coming prophet Dt 18:15-19, Priest Ps 110:4 and king 2Sam 7:7-10. As these were typically anointed with oil 1Ki 19:16 Ex 29:7 1Sam 16:13 Song Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit Mt 3:16 Mk 1:10,11 Lk 3:21,22 Jn 1:32,33 thus becoming officially "the Christ."