Who was the father of Joseph, husband of Mary? Jacob (Matthew 1:16) Hell (Luke 3:23)

I. Introduction to the Question

This entry addresses an apparent puzzle in the New Testament: Matthew 1:16 refers to Jacob as Joseph’s father, while Luke 3:23 names Heli. At first glance, these verses might seem to present conflicting accounts. However, a closer look at cultural, historical, and textual details—along with knowledge of genealogical customs—shows how both records can be true without contradiction.

II. Key Scriptural References

1. Matthew 1:16

“and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

2. Luke 3:23

“Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was known as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,...”

Both genealogies trace Jesus' ancestry back to King David but do so in different ways and for distinct theological and historical reasons.

III. Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, genealogy served multiple purposes:

1. Establishing tribal affiliation (important for inheritance laws).

2. Demonstrating priestly or royal lineage.

3. Detailing fulfillment of prophetic promises—particularly regarding the Messiah’s descent from David.

Jewish genealogical practices allowed for flexible usage of terms like “father” or “son.” These terms might indicate direct inheritance, legal guardianship, or a father-in-law/son-in-law relationship in a levirate context.

Additionally, genealogical records were carefully preserved and guarded by temple officials and family lines. Ancient writers such as Julius Africanus (as cited by Eusebius in “Ecclesiastical History,” Book 1) offered detailed reconciliations of genealogical passages, showing that the early church recognized and responded to these questions.

IV. Explanations for the Jacob–Heli Difference

1. Legal Descent vs. Biological Descent

Matthew’s Gospel often emphasizes legal rights and obligations, presenting Joseph as belonging to the Davidic line through Solomon. This may reflect Joseph’s legal lineage, tracing his right to the throne of David. Conversely, Luke’s Gospel is sometimes understood to trace the biological lineage—possibly through Mary—yet lists Joseph in accordance with the convention of naming a husband when describing a family line.

2. Father vs. Father-in-Law

According to some early historical writings (e.g., the views preserved by Julius Africanus), Heli could have been Mary’s father. Joseph then became “son of Heli” through marriage. In that scenario, Jacob was Joseph’s biological father, while Heli was Joseph’s father-in-law, both described under the flexible use of “sonship” in genealogical listings.

3. Levirate Marriage Possibility

Another historical possibility is that Heli died without an heir, and Jacob performed a levirate marriage (a practice mandated in Deuteronomy 25:5–6). This would make Joseph the legal son of Heli but the biological son of Jacob. In biblical culture, levirate marriages resulted in children who were legally considered descendants of the deceased man, thereby preserving his family line.

4. Thematic Purposes of Each Gospel

Matthew’s focus centers on demonstrating Jesus as the long-awaited Messianic King from the royal line of David through Joseph’s legal paternal descent. Luke’s genealogy, placed after the baptism of Jesus, underscores His universal relevance, tracing the line “back to Adam” (Luke 3:38).

V. Scriptural and Archaeological Corroboration

Though genealogical documents of that era were largely lost to history—particularly after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70—sources from the second and third centuries indicate that early communities had access to family records. The consistency of Matthew and Luke in naming known historical figures (such as King David, Abraham, and others) has been supported by references in non-biblical Jewish texts, as well as being accepted among the earliest Christian apologists.

Moreover, from a manuscript perspective, the textual transmission of both genealogies shows an overwhelming stability. Ancient fragments and early codices confirm that today's reading of Matthew and Luke’s genealogical records remains faithful to the oldest accessible sources.

VI. The Harmony of Scriptural Genealogies

Acknowledging the ancient practices surrounding genealogical documentation allows us to see that Jacob and Heli each hold a legitimate status as Joseph’s “father” under different contexts—one biological, the other legal or via marriage. Rather than contradicting each other, these two genealogies offer a more complete view of how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies both by legal right and by bloodline.

VII. Conclusion

Far from being an irreconcilable tension, the references to Jacob in Matthew 1:16 and Heli in Luke 3:23 reflect complementary genealogical lines within Jewish tradition. Historical records, cultural norms, and textual evidence all converge to show the coherence and reliability of both accounts. Joseph’s paternal line includes the name Jacob, while, through another avenue of descent or legal recognition, Joseph is connected to Heli. No matter which dimensions of the genealogies are highlighted, they together confirm that Jesus is the promised Messiah, firmly within the lineage of David, uniting prophecy and history for those who read Scripture attentively.