Matthew 1:15

And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

Matthew 1:15 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the genealogy of Jesus Christ that opens Matthew’s Gospel. The list traces Jesus’ legal and historical lineage from Abraham through King David, showing that He is the promised Messiah and the rightful heir to David’s throne. Matthew arranges the generations in three sets of fourteen (Matthew 1:17), and this verse falls within the final set, which runs from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

Three names appear here: Eliud, Eleazar, and Matthan. Each is identified as the father of the next, forming a chain that leads to Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (Matthew 1:16).

Meaning

Eliud is named as the father of Eleazar. He is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, and little is known about him beyond this record. Eleazar, the son of Eliud and father of Matthan, is likewise obscure; other men named Eleazar appear in the Old Testament, but it is unclear whether any of them is the same person. Matthan, the son of Eleazar and father of Jacob, also appears only in this genealogy.

The presence of these otherwise unknown names is significant. It shows that God’s plan of redemption moved through ordinary people whose lives are not detailed in the biblical narrative. Their inclusion reminds us that God works through faithful, often unnoticed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Biblical connections

This genealogy establishes Jesus’ legal descent from David through Joseph, affirming His messianic credentials. It also demonstrates the faithfulness of God in preserving the line of promise through generations, even through exile and obscurity. The verse leads directly to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, and thus to the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.

Application

For believers, this verse is a reminder that every person in God’s plan has significance, even when their role is not publicly recognized. God’s purposes unfold through history in ways that may not be immediately visible, and He remains faithful across generations. As you continue reading Matthew, you will see that the genealogy is not an end in itself; it points to Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection, and to the redemption He accomplished for humanity.