Jesus’ Genealogy: Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3 Explained
Quick Answer
The genealogy of Jesus is recorded in two places in the Bible: Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38.
Matthew traces Jesus’ legal line through Joseph back to Abraham, highlighting His role as the promised Messiah and Son of David.
Luke traces Jesus’ biological line (possibly through Mary) all the way back to Adam, showing Him as the Savior for all humanity.Introduction
Comparison: Matthew vs. Luke’s Genealogies
A side-by-side look at lineage type, purpose, and structure in Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38.
| Feature | Matthew 1:1–17 | Luke 3:23–38 |
|---|---|---|
| Lineage Type | Legal / Royal Traces the legal line through Joseph to show Jesus as heir to David’s throne. | Biological (likely) Traditionally understood as the biological line, possibly through Mary, emphasizing true humanity. |
| Starting Point | Abraham → centers God’s covenant with Israel. | Adam → universal scope; Jesus for all humanity. |
| Direction | Forward (Abraham → Jesus) | Backward (Jesus → Adam) |
| Purpose | Present Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the promised Son of David. | Present Jesus as the Savior for all, the new Adam who restores humanity. |
| Notable Features | 3 × 14 structure Includes four women Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “the wife of Uriah”; literary pattern likely highlighting “David” (14). | Back to creation No women named; extends to Adam and to God, stressing universality. |
Key Facts about Jesus’ Family Tree
Key Facts About Jesus’ Genealogy
- The Bible records two genealogies of Jesus — one in Matthew 1:1–17 and one in Luke 3:23–38.
- Matthew begins with Abraham and focuses on the royal, legal line through Joseph.
- Luke begins with Adam and traces the biological line, possibly through Mary.
- Matthew includes four women — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba — an unusual feature for ancient genealogies.
- Both genealogies confirm Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
Why Are Matthew’s and Luke’s Genealogies Different?
Matthew and Luke record Jesus’ genealogy differently because they are making distinct theological points and possibly tracing different family lines.
Matthew traces the legal line through Joseph, focusing on royal succession and Jesus’ legitimacy as heir to David’s throne. He starts with Abraham, underscoring God’s promises to Israel.
Luke traces what many believe to be the biological line, possibly through Mary, showing Jesus’ full humanity. He starts with Adam to present Jesus as the Savior of all humanity
Together, they give a complete picture — Jesus is both the Messiah for Israel and the Redeemer for the world.
Women in the Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew’s inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba is highly unusual for ancient genealogies. Each had a story marked by hardship, scandal, or Gentile identity.
Matthew begins his Gospel by reminding us that God’s grace often works through unexpected people and situations.
Verse-by-Verse Commentary: Matthew 1:1–17
Matthew 1:1
“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Matthew opens with three titles for Jesus: Messiah, son of David, and son of Abraham — a declaration of His kingship, covenant connection, and messianic fulfillment.
Matthew 1:2–6 – Abraham to David
This first section emphasizes the patriarchs and God’s faithfulness through flawed people.
Judah and Tamar’s story (Genesis 38) highlights redemption through broken circumstances.
Matthew 1:6b–11 – David to the Exile
Includes both faithful kings (Hezekiah, Josiah) and corrupt ones (Manasseh).
The reference to “the wife of Uriah” (Bathsheba) recalls sin but also God’s redemptive work.
Matthew 1:12–16 – After the Exile
These mostly unknown names represent centuries of longing for God’s promise.
It culminates in Joseph, the husband of Mary, “of whom Jesus was born.”
Matthew 1:17
Matthew structures his genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations, a deliberate literary pattern pointing to David (numeric value 14 in Hebrew).
Theological Meaning
Jesus fulfills covenant promises — Abrahamic and Davidic.
God works through outsiders — Gentiles, women, and the marginalized.
Jesus enters human brokenness — His lineage includes sinners and saints alike.
Legal and divine sonship — Joseph’s legal fatherhood and the virgin birth show both human and divine origins.
Meaning for Today
The genealogy of Jesus reminds us that:
God’s promises may take centuries, but He is faithful.
No background is too broken for His grace.
We are invited into God’s family through Jesus (Romans 11:17–24).
This is not a boring list of names — it’s the story of God weaving redemption through generations to bring us the Savior.
FAQs About the Genealogy of Jesus
Q: What is the genealogy of Jesus?
A: The family line of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38, tracing His ancestry through Joseph and possibly Mary.
Q: Why are Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies different?
A: Matthew traces the legal royal line; Luke traces the biological line. They serve different purposes.
Q: Why are women included in Matthew’s genealogy?
A: To show God’s grace through unexpected people and circumstances.
Q: What does “three sets of fourteen generations” mean?
A: Likely a literary device pointing to David (numeric value 14 in Hebrew), emphasizing Jesus’ kingship.
