Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew and Luke explained the "Genealogy of Jesus" for their distinct audiences and purposes
- Matthew to show that Jesus is the Messiah
- Jesus is from the House of Judah and a direct descendant of David
- thus a "son of David", fulfilling prophesy
- Jesus is from the House of Judah and a direct descendant of David
Matthew
- traces the lineage of Joseph
- counted fourteen generations between
- Abraham to David
- David to the Babylonian exile
- Babylonian exit to Jesus
- fourteen = twice the perfect number seven
Luke
- is the only Gospel author to use the word "Savior" instead of Messiah (he uses both)
- see footnote Lk 2:11: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?11=#50002011
- Luke wants to emphasize that Jesus is savior of all mankind
- so he presents his genealogy back to Adam