The Genealogy of the Christ

Chapter 1:1-17 of the “Gospel according to Matthew” is a genealogical record of Jesus. This genealogy begins with Abraham and follows Joseph’s paternal line.

The record is summarized in verse 17:

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;

These generations are listed in verses 2-6

1. Abraham 2. Isaac 3. Jacob 4. Judah 5. Perez 6. Hezron 7. Ram

8. Amminadab 9. Nashon 10. Salmon 11. Boaz 12. Obed 13. Jesse 14. David

from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations;

These generations are listed in verses 6-11

1. David 2. Solomon 3. Rehoboam 4. Abijah 5. Asa 6. Jehoshaphat

7. Joram 8. Uzziah 9. Jotham, 10. Ahaz 11. Hezekiah 12. Manasseh

13. Amon 14. Josiah

and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

These generations are listed in verses 12-16

1. Jeconiah 2. Shealtiel 3. Zerubbabel 4. Abihud 5. Eliakim 6. Azor

7. Zadok 8. Achim 9. Eliud 10. Eleazar 11. Matthan 12. Jacob 13. Joseph

14. Jesus

In recording this genealogy through Joseph, Matthew respects the traditional Jewish method of recording, even though Joseph is not Jesus’ biological father.

Matthew makes it clear however that Joseph’s role in the lineage of Jesus is as Mary’s husband.

Matthew 1:16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

This however does not negate Jesus’ royal lineage, for we see in the lineage recorded in the “Gospel According to Luke” that Mary is also a descendant of King David.

Joseph’s royal line includes Jeconiah whom the Lord cursed through the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 22:30); therefore a messiah through Solomon’s line could not claim the throne. Jesus has claim to the throne through David because Mary does not come through the lineage of Solomon, rather David’s son Nathan.

Women in the Genealogy:

Verse 3: Tamar: After Judah’s broken promise to wed her to his youngest son, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and conceives Perez and Zerah with Judah. Read the entire story in Genesis 38.

Verse 5: Rahab a prostitute who trusts in the God of the Israelites. (Joshua 2)

Verse 5: Ruth a Moabites who also trusts in the God of the Israelites. The nation of Moab was conceived from an incestual relationship between Lot and his daughters. (Genesis 19:30-38)

Verse 6: Bathsheba: Conceived Solomon through an adulterous and murderous relationship with King David. (2 Samuel 11)

Women’s names are traditionally not mentioned in Jewish genealogy and these women are truly scandalous in their time. But God pours out His grace and mercy on them; and through His Son proves to be the Great Liberator of Women.

Advertisement