
Jesus Family Tree
The genealogy of Jesus is traced through Joseph, but Joseph had nothing to do with Jesus' conception. The following explanation sheds light on what seems to be a confusing issue.
We have two genealogies of Jesus- Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. Because there are so many substantial differences between these two (for example, many of the ancestral names don't match), they have given scholars a headache through the ages. For example: Who was Joseph's father? Was it Jacob (according to Matthew), or Eli (according to Luke)?
One answer is: both lists are family records, but Matthew is giving us Joseph's record, and Luke is giving us Mary's. But that answer goes against the text - Luke makes it clear that he is tracing Jesus' descent through Joseph. Nor does it fit with what we know of ancient middle eastern peoples. A genealogy traced through the mother would not have been normal at that time and place in history.
We have to remember that Israel's origin was tribal. The clan leader was, of necessity, a dominant male. The individual's survival depended on being able to claim membership within the tribe. Since in real life many things could happen to a bloodline, a number of supplementary laws and customs developed. A person could become a member of a clan without actually being born into it. One way was by adoption. Another was to be born of a woman who was married to a man of that clan. Even when the husband was not the child's biological father, he was still officially the legal father, simply because he was husband to the child's mother.
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
In the Bible, genealogies can serve different purposes. Besides establishing identity, they can also be used to structure history into epochs and to authenticate a line of office-holders. That's why an individual can be accorded two or more genealogies according to the purposes for which they were drawn up. Rarely do ancient biblical genealogies afford us a list of strictly biological ancestry.
What were Matthew's and Luke's purposes in giving Jesus a genealogy? They list different ancestors but agree totally on the most important fact: Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. To see how Matthew made a strong statement about this, read slowly Matthew 1:1-17. Let the repeated, rhythmic phrases "A the father of B," "B the father of C," and so forth, almost lull you to sleep. What happens when you get to verse 16? The lilting, fixed pattern is suddenly altered: "Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary. It was of her that Jesus who is called the Messiah was born." By using his genealogical list in this way, Matthew was able to proclaim both that Jesus was virginally conceived and that he was also legitimately a "son of David, son of Abraham" (1:1). For Matthew's Jewish Christian audience this was like calling Jesus the Messiah.
Luke proclaims our Lord's virginal conception when he speaks about Jesus as being - so it was supposed - the son of Joseph in 3:23. He then takes his genealogy back to Adam and even to God himself. In doing this he is stating that Jesus is nothing less than the Son of God. Because neither evangelist was principally concerned with Jesus' biological ancestry, the lists could differ, and each evangelist could present a different popular tradition suitable to his own specific purpose.
So we see that Joseph was not Jesus' biological father, but he was his legal father. The two genealogies make that point emphatically. Because of that, all of us can now proclaim with the Scriptures that Jesus was, indeed, son of David, son of Abraham, and Son of God.
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
More Advent & Christmas
Advent & Christmas 2022
Begins Sunday, November 27, 2022
Ends on Saturday, December 24, 2022
"And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.'"
Christ the King
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Christ the King Day is a Catholic celebration that takes place on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the Catholic faith. continue reading
Advent 2022 starts on Sunday, November 27, 2022
Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas every year.Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
[holy day of obligation]
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, ... continue reading
Advent 2022 ends on Saturday, December 24, 2022
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, every year.Christmas
Birth of Our Lord Jesus
[holy day of obligation]
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. continue reading
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
[holy day of obligation]
Sunday, January 1, 2023
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ. continue reading
Epiphany
Friday, January 6, 2023
The Epiphany signifies the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. continue reading
Advent Reflections
Reflection for every day of Advent
Advent is a period of waiting, like Lent. We are called to obtain the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to pray and fast, as we await the arrival of our ... continue reading
Advent Calendar
Every day of Advent
An Advent calendar has become a tradition for many families when celebrating Advent and the Christmas season. continue reading
Advent Candle
24 Days of December
An Advent candle is a neat way to mark off the days until Christmas. Such candles are commonly found in churches and sometimes in homes. continue reading
Advent Wreath
Each Sunday of Advent
The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas Classes
14 Free Classes - Mobile Friendly
You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas PDFs
FREE - Printable - Catholic
Free Advent & Christmas PDFs for anyone, anywhere; Use in your Parish Church - School - Bulletin Inserts. continue reading
Christmas Gifts
Free Shipping $70+
Make This Christmas Special with Gifts from Catholic Online Shopping. continue reading
Nativity Scene
Holy Family
The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas season. continue reading
St. Nicholas
December 6th
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. continue reading
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Advent? What is it all about

The Christmas Story

Advent Daily Readings

More Advent & Christmas
The Christmas Gift: Because Jesus is Born, We Can Be Born Again Watch

On the day called Christ-Mass, the whole world pauses - at a manger, a crib, a creche. The Nativity of the Lord touches every man, ... continue reading
Love is Born on Christmas Morn, and the World is Born Anew Watch

The Gospel passages proclaimed at the Vigil and the Midnight Mass of Christmas root the Nativity of the Lord, in the family history and ... continue reading
5 Ways to keep Jesus in your Christmas celebrations this year

Christmas is a magical time of year when decorations line the streets, children are suddenly behaving and the Post Office struggles to keep ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 25 - The Fourth Wednesday of Advent Watch

Advent Reflection - Day 25 - The Fourth Wednesday of Advent Within Mary's womb, our Savior stirs. The moment is near! The Holy Family turns ... continue reading
How to Handle Christmas Stress Watch

Christmas is a season full of joy and happiness. Families gather and spend special, meaningful time together. This should be a time where ... continue reading
Reaching Out: 7 Steps to a Blessed Christmas

Sending singing carols, sending Christmas cards, giving gifts...It's all tradition and fun, but perhaps this is a wonderful time to really ... continue reading
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
Saint of the Day for Monday, May 29th, 2023
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Prayer of the Day for Monday, May 29
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
The Apostles' Creed
-
St. Maximinus of Trier
-
Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
-
Popular Prayers
-
Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster found Incorrupted
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Monday, May 29, 2023
St. Maximinus of Trier: Saint of the Day for Monday, May 29, 2023
Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, May 10, 2023
- Daily Readings for Sunday, May 28, 2023
- Bl. Margaret Pole: Saint of the Day for Sunday, May 28, 2023
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, May 09, 2023
Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.