Genealogy of Jesus is given by two passages from Gospels, Matthew 1:2-16 and Luke 3:23-38. Both of them trace his line to King David and from there on to Abraham and Adam. These lists are identical between Abraham and David, but they differ radically between David and Joseph.
Matthew's list of names contains 28 generations between David and Joseph, giving an approximate average length of generation of 35 years. It starts with Solomon and proceeds through all kings of Judah up and including Jeconiah. Thus Jesus is established as legal heir to the throne of Israel.
At Jeconiah the line of kings was terminated due to Israel being conquered by Babylonians. The names between Jeconiah and Joseph do not appear anywhere in the Old Testament or other texts.
Luke's list starts with Nathan, brother of Solomon, and contains 40 names between David and Joseph, almost none of which match Matthew or appear in any historical documents.
Several theories have been proposed to explain the discrepancy. The oldest one, ascribed to Julius Africanus, uses the concept of Levirate marriage. It suggests that Matthan, grandfather of Joseph according to Matthew, and Matthat, grandfather of Joseph according to Luke, were brothers, married to the same woman one after another. Matthan's son, Jacob, was Joseph's biological father and Matthat's son ( and Jacob's half-brother ), Eli, was his legal father.
It is also widely believed that while Matthew gave the genealogy of Joseph, Luke gave the genealogy of his wife Mary. When Luke 3:23 says "Joseph, the son of Heli," it actually means that Heli was his father-in-law.
Genealogy according to Matthew:
See also:
