The answer is: Matthew

The opening words to the New Testament.

The Book of Matthew kicks off the New Testament with a grand flourish, emphasizing Jesus’ royal lineage. By saying *"the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham,"* the author not only establishes Jesus’ credentials but also cleverly weaves together the tapestry of Jewish history right from the beginning. This genealogy connects Jesus to key figures in the Jewish tradition, signaling to readers that he carries the fulfillment of prophecy.

What's interesting is how genealogies weren’t just important for record-keeping; they showed people’s identities and heritage in the ancient world. Back then, knowing your ancestry was crucial, often indicating your social standing or even your rights. So it’s not just any old list; it reveals the significance of continuity in God’s plan and how Jesus is directly linked to God's promises right from Abraham and David.

Fun trivia: Matthew chose to highlight 14 generations in each segment of his genealogy. This dig into groups of 14 plays with the number, pairing it with meanings that suggest completeness and divine order. Plus, some scholars propose that the number 14 succinctly shows a connection to David’s name in Hebrew, which is beautifully symmetrical.

So, just as much as it is about connections to past figures, this introduction sets the stage for the transformative teachings that will follow, inviting both the familiar and the curious to explore this liberating narrative ahead.