The interpretation timeline

Matt 1:6

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

4 Patristic witnesses · 2 Medieval witnesses

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Patristic before A.D. 750
Ambrose of Milan · A.D. 339–397 A.D. 397
“(ubi sup.) But the holy David is the more excellent in this, that he confessed himself to be but man, and neglected not to wash out with the tears of repentance the sin of which he had been guilty, in so taking away Urias’ wife. Herein shewing us that none ought to trust in his own strength, for we have a mighty adversary whom we cannot overcome without God’s aid. And you will commonly observe very heavy sins befalling to the share of illustrious men, that they may not from their other excellent virtues be thought more than men, but that you may see that as men they yield to temptation.”
Catena Aurea: Gospel of Matthew, as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 1:6-8 PD · J. H. Newman (Oxford, 1841) ↗
Augustine of Hippo · A.D. 354–430 A.D. 430
“(De Cons. Ev. ii. 4.) Since in Matthew’s genealogy is shewed forth the taking on Him by Christ of our sins, therefore he descends from David to Solomon, in whose mother David had sinned. Luke ascends to David through Nathan, for through Nathan the prophet God punished David’s sin; because Luke’s genealogy is to shew the putting away of our sins.”
Catena Aurea: Gospel of Matthew, as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 1:6-8 PD · J. H. Newman (Oxford, 1841) ↗
478 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Medieval c. 750 – 1100
Remigius of Auxerre · c. A.D. 841–908 A.D. 908
“Let us enquire why Matthew does not mention Bathsheba by name as he does the other women. Because the others, though deserving of much blame, were yet commendable for many virtues. But Bathsheba was not only consenting in the adultery, but in the murder of her husband, hence her name is not introduced in the Lord’s genealogy.”
Catena Aurea: Gospel of Matthew, as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 1:6-8 PD · J. H. Newman (Oxford, 1841) ↗
Undated date unknown
Pseudo-Chrysostom
“Solomon is interpreted ‘peacemaker,’ because having subdued all the nations round about, and made them tributary, he had a peaceful reign. Roboam is interpreted ‘by a multitude of people,’ for multitude is the mother of sedition; for where many are joined in a crime, that is commonly unpunishable. But a limit in numbers is the mistress of good order.”
Catena Aurea: Gospel of Matthew, as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 1:6-8 PD · J. H. Newman (Oxford, 1841) ↗

The reader meets the sources first; chronology and attribution do the work. Provenance is shown on every quotation — solid for hosted public domain, dashed for link-out.