The intentional and purposeful design of this creative activity of the plan of God leading to its climax in the birth of Jesus the Messiah (1:16) is underscored in the carefully drawn symmetry of the genealogy, which the author summarizes in 1:17, and by the way in which the literary pattern is broken at the point of its end reference to Jesus. Significantly, the genealogy begins with Abraham, is traced through King David, and, for Jesus to truly be a son of David, depends on Joseph actually being the father of Jesus. In addition to the numerical symmetry, Matthew’s interests have been noted in the choice of details of the genealogy, particularly the naming of four women, whose tainted stories may be intended to point to God’s surprising and sovereign mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments.... More in the completion of God’s designs.”