The genealogy of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, is a significant aspect of the New Testament, providing a legal and royal lineage for Jesus as the Messiah. The genealogies are recorded in two Gospels: Matthew and Luke, each serving distinct purposes and audiences.

Matthew's Genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17):

Matthew's account traces Joseph's lineage through King David to Abraham, emphasizing Jesus' fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. This genealogy is structured in three sets of fourteen generations, highlighting key figures in Israel's history. Matthew 1:1 begins, "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." The genealogy includes notable figures such as:

· 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 an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
· Solomon: David's son, known for his wisdom and building the First Temple.

Matthew's genealogy underscores Jesus' legal right to the throne of David, a critical aspect for the Jewish audience to whom Matthew wrote. It also includes four women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—highlighting God's grace and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.

Luke's Genealogy (Luke 3:23-38):

Luke's account differs by tracing Jesus' lineage through Joseph back to Adam, emphasizing the universal scope of the Gospel. Luke 3:23 states, "Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli." This genealogy includes:

· Adam: The first man, highlighting Jesus as the Savior for all humanity.
· Nathan: A lesser-known son of David, differing from Matthew's line through Solomon.

Luke's genealogy is often understood to represent Mary's lineage, with Joseph being the son-in-law of Heli, thus providing a biological connection to David through Mary. This interpretation aligns with the emphasis on Jesus' humanity and His role as the Savior for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

Theological Significance:

The genealogies of Joseph affirm Jesus' rightful place as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and covenants. They demonstrate God's faithfulness in preserving the line of David and highlight the inclusivity of God's salvation plan. Through Joseph's lineage, Jesus is legally recognized as the heir to David's throne, while through Mary, He is biologically connected to humanity, underscoring His dual nature as fully God and fully man.Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Nave's Topical Index

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,
Nave's Topical Index

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... Some have attempted to explain the differences on the ground that Matthew gives
the genealogy of Joseph, while Luke gives that of Mary. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... we read instead: 'Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.'
So, then, whoever drew up this genealogy knew that Jesus was not Joseph's son ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

Concerning Our Lord's Genealogy and Concerning the Holy Mother of ...
... Book IV. Chapter XIV."Concerning our Lord's genealogy and concerning the holy Mother
of God ... But that Joseph is descended from the tribe of David is expressly ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xiv concerning our lords genealogy.htm

Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
... Heli. Wherefore Matthew says "Jacob begot Joseph": whereas Luke, who was
giving the legal genealogy, speaks of no one as begetting. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs genealogy is suitably.htm

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... There may therefore be significance in the care with which these Desposyni preserved
the genealogy of Joseph, for the Ebionites believed that Christ was the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

Writing i. Africanus on the Genealogy in the Holy Gospels. ...
... [Africanus on the Genealogy in the ... And for this reason the one traced the pedigree
of Jacob the father of Joseph from David through Solomon; the other traced ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing i africanus on the.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... IV. Genealogy According to Luke ... of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's
service"Numbers 4:46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

Matt. I. 1
... from the beginning, and yet might make the Virgin known to us, for this cause he
hath passed over her ancestors in silence, and traced the genealogy of Joseph. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ii matt i 1.htm

Guiltless and Without Sin.
... True, Luke 3:23, 28 contains the genealogy of Joseph, which closes with the words,
"The son of Adam, the son of God"; but the Evangelist adds emphatically, "as ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xviii guiltless and without sin.htm

Whether Christ Took Flesh of the Seed of David?
... wife of Joseph, by reason of the close alliance of their hearts, although not mingled
in the flesh; and that the genealogy is traced down to Joseph rather than ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ took flesh of.htm

Why are Jesus' genealogies in Matthew and Luke so different? | GotQuestions.org

Is there an error in the counting of the 14 generations in Matthew chapter 1? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Mormons/LDS so interested in genealogies? | GotQuestions.org

Genealogy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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