God’s activity embraces both Jew and Gentile (all four women were foreigners) is not quite clear. In any case, the family record reminds us of the fallen state of human nature and the redeeming activity of God in bringing back to himself the sinner as well as the saint. 1:18–21 / Matthew now turns to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It will be noticed at once that the account differs from what we find in Luke. In fact, neither Gospel writer includes anything dealt with by the other except