Introduction

The genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ may seem like a strange thing to study, but there is actually a good deal that we can learn from a simple list of names.

I. Why are there two different genealogies of Jesus in Scripture?

a. Yes, there are two different genealogies of Jesus in Scripture- one in Matthew and one in Luke.

i. Many people don’t realize that there is more than one.

ii. Of those who do realize that there is more than one, many of those don’t realize that they are different.

iii. No, this doesn’t indicate a contradiction in Scripture.

b. The difference between the two genealogies:

i. Matthew’s genealogy begins with Abraham and ends with Jesus.

ii. Luke’s genealogy begins with Jesus and goes back to Adam.

iii. You will find some different people in these genealogies.

c. The two genealogies are different because they are meant to do two different things.

II. What do the genealogies teach us?

a. That Jesus was the Messiah because He was of the line of David and Abraham. (Matthew’s genealogy)

i. God had specifically promised Abraham and David that the Messiah would descend directly from them.

1. Abraham- Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 22:18

2. David- 2 Samuel 7:12, Psalm 89:3-4, and Psalm 132:11

ii. Notice that this genealogy traces Jesus’ line through Joseph. This might seem strange, considering that Joseph was technically not a blood relative of Jesus as Mary was. However, remember that both Mary and Joseph were of the same tribe and family. Therefore, by both His mother and his supposed father, Jesus was directly descended from both Abraham and David. This fulfilled those prophecies about the Messiah.

iii. This is evidence yet again that God keeps the promises that He makes to His people.

b. That Jesus was in every way 100% human. (Luke’s genealogy)

i. God had promised that the Messiah would be of the seed of woman. (Genesis 3:14-15) Thus, He would be a human being.

ii. This is why Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam.

iii. Again, however, we run into the problem of Joseph not being Jesus’ biological father. (Luke 3:23)

1. This verse seems to trace Jesus’ genealogy back through Joseph. However, this would prove nothing since Joseph was not biologically related to Jesus.

2. In truth, this verse is actually tracing Jesus’ genealogy back through Mary. Since she was Jesus’ biological mother, this was the only way to prove His humanity.

3. In this verse, the phrase “which was the son of Heli” is referring back to Jesus, not Joseph.

a. Heli was Mary’s father. The Jews traced their genealogies back through the male side of the family. Since Jesus had no earthly father, Scripture traces it back through the line of his maternal grandfather since he was biologically related to Jesus.

b. In this verse, the phrase “being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph” is read as referring back to Jesus but having no relation to what the rest of the verse says. He was “supposed” to have been Joseph’s son, but He really wasn’t. Therefore, that phrase can’t be connected with the genealogy.

c. That we are all equal in God’s sight (Galatians 3:28) (Colossians 3:11)

i. You’ll notice that Matthew’s genealogy includes both Jews and a Gentile- Ruth, the Moabitess who married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of David.

d. That God can and will use anyone who submits themselves to Him- no matter what.

i. Matthew’s genealogy also includes 3 other women (which is remarkable in and of itself since women were not considered all that important in Bible times):

1. Rahab- a harlot

2. Tamar- an aldulteress

3. Bathsheba- an adulteress

ii. He forgave their pasts when they turned to Him. He will do the same for any of us.

Conclusion

Who knew you could learn so much from a simple list of names!