Topical Bible: Genealogy: To Jesus

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The genealogy of Jesus Christ is a significant aspect of the New Testament, providing a link between the Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment of those prophecies in the person of Jesus. The genealogies are primarily found in two Gospels: Matthew and Luke, each serving distinct theological and historical purposes.

Matthew's Genealogy

Matthew 1:1-17 presents the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage through Joseph, His legal father. This genealogy is structured to emphasize Jesus' royal lineage, underscoring His rightful place as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Matthew begins with Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, and traces the line through King David, highlighting Jesus' fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. The genealogy is divided into three sets of fourteen generations: from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to Christ. This structured presentation underscores the providential unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Key figures in Matthew's genealogy include:

· Abraham: The patriarch with whom God made a covenant, promising that all nations would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3).
· David: The king to whom God promised that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16).
· Solomon: David's son, known for his wisdom and the building of the Temple.
· Jeconiah: His inclusion highlights the period of the Babylonian exile, a pivotal moment in Jewish history.

Matthew's genealogy also uniquely includes several women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (referred to as "the wife of Uriah"), and Mary. Their inclusion highlights God's grace and the unexpected ways He works through history.

Luke's Genealogy

Luke 3:23-38 offers a different perspective, tracing Jesus' lineage through Mary, His biological mother, back to Adam, the first man. This genealogy emphasizes Jesus' universal significance as the Savior of all humanity, not just the Jewish people. By tracing the line back to Adam, Luke underscores the theme of Jesus as the "second Adam," who brings redemption to all of creation.

Key figures in Luke's genealogy include:

· Adam: The first human, representing the entire human race.
· Seth: Adam's son, through whom the godly line continued.
· Enoch: Known for his close walk with God and being taken up to heaven without dying (Genesis 5:24).
· Noah: The righteous man who survived the Flood and through whom humanity was preserved.

Luke's genealogy is notable for its emphasis on Jesus' divine sonship, as it concludes with "the son of Adam, the son of God" (Luke 3:38), highlighting Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father.

Theological Significance

The genealogies of Jesus serve several theological purposes:

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Both genealogies affirm Jesus as the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the lineage of the Savior.

2. Legal and Biological Lineage: Matthew provides the legal lineage through Joseph, establishing Jesus' right to the throne of David, while Luke offers the biological lineage through Mary, emphasizing His true humanity.

3. Universal Savior: By tracing Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, Luke highlights the universal scope of Jesus' mission, offering salvation to all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

4. God's Sovereignty: The genealogies demonstrate God's sovereign hand in history, orchestrating events and individuals to bring about His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

In summary, the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke provide a rich tapestry of theological insights, connecting the Old and New Testaments and affirming Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 1:1-16
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
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Luke 3:23-38
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
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Library

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... CHS. 3:1 TO 4:13 C. The Genealogy Of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38. ... The genealogy of Jesus given
by Luke contains marked differences from that recorded by Matthew. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII MATTHEW'S GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST. 'The book
of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... Part First. The Period of Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry. III. Genealogy
of Jesus According to Matthew. ^A Matthew 1:1-17. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

The Genealogical Question is Again Taken up and Argued on Both ...
... Book VII. The genealogical question is again taken up and argued on both sides.
1. Faustus said: You ask why I do not believe in the genealogy of Jesus. ...
/.../the genealogical question is again.htm

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
... as is our own custom] she was found with child of the Holy Spirit [The two evangelists
(Matthew and Luke) which give the earthly genealogy of Jesus are each ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ix annunciation to joseph of.htm

Faustus Recurs to the Genealogy and Insists Upon Examining it as ...
... account to be given of Jesus. The answer must be obtained from His own statements,
or from the statements of His apostles regarding Him. The genealogy must be ...
/.../faustus recurs to the genealogy.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... IV. Genealogy According to Luke. ^C Luke 3:23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke
has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

The Kingdom's True King
... Mark. 1. A Busy Sabbath in Our Lord's Life. Luke. 2. The Birth and Boyhood of Jesus.
3. The Genealogy of Jesus. 4. 10. 14. The Three Parables of Hospitality. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/viii the kingdoms true king.htm

Preface
... does so. For example, the genealogy of Jesus is given both in Luke
3:28-38 and Matthew 1:1-16, and they obviously differ. However ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/preface.htm

Examination of the Antitheses of Marcion, Bringing them to the ...
... See Kitto's Cyclop??dia of Biblical Literature (third edition), in the article
"Genealogy of Jesus Christ," where the translator of this work has largely given ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter i examination of the antitheses.htm