Christ’s Genealogy

~ One Savior—Two Recorded Genealogies ~

Two of the four Gospels record the genealogy of Jesus Christ—The Messiah.  On the surface they are significantly different but when properly understood they do not disagree with each other (this is very involved and would require a book to explain fully).  In this post we will look at a bird’s eye view of the two genealogy.

Luke 3  ~  Luke’s account is the most complete timeline as it covers 76 generations from Adam to Jesus Christ.  One of the unusual aspects of Luke’s is that it begins at the end—with Jesus Christ—and moves backward in time.  Perhaps this was Dr. Luke’s way of emphasizing Jesus Christ.  The intent of Luke’s Gospel is widely understood to be to give a precise record of Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, and is the only acceptable sacrifice for fallen mankind.  With this in mind it is very logical for Luke to record all the way back to the very beginning with Adam as he traces the humanity of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1  ~  Matthew’s account covers 41 generations as it starts with the patriarch Abraham and moves forward to Jesus Christ—The Messiah.  The most obvious aspect of Matthew’s account is how he divides the generations into three time periods of 14 generations each.  First he lists 14 patriarchs, then 14 kings, and finally 14 ordinary citizens.   Matthew’s intent appears to be an emphasis on the historical progression.  It is widely understood that Matthew writes his Gospel from a Jewish perspective.  Given that reality starting the genealogy of The Messiah with Abraham makes a lot of sense.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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