The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 6: The Fullness of Time • 181

“The Gospel contains mysteries which this commentary reveals,” said Mentor, “and the Apostle teaches us to test everything and hold fast to the good.” 16 “Does the Incomplete Commentary say anything about the genealogy of Jesus,” I asked, “or is that chapter missing?” Mentor opened the Incomplete Commentary for us to examine. There were in fact many pages explaining Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. He read a passage aloud for us. “ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham . Why does he say the son of David, the son of Abraham , and not the son of Abraham alone, or the son of David alone? It is because a promise had been made to both of them that Christ would be born as one of their descendants. To Abraham it was said, ‘And by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves.’ 17 To David the promise was spoken, ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. 18 Therefore he calls him the son of both Abraham and David in order to show that the promises to both were fulfilled in Christ.” 19 “Interesting!” said Joseph.

16 1 Thess. 5:21.

17 Gen. 22:18.

18 Ps. 132:11.

19 James Kellerman and Thomas Oden, Incomplete Commentary on Matthew ( Opus Imperfectum ), Ancient Christian Texts (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010), volume 1, page 2.