The genealogies of Jesus are found in two places in the New Testament:
* Matthew 1:1-17
* Luke 3:23-38
It's important to note that these genealogies differ significantly, and there are various interpretations of why.
Here's a breakdown and a simplified lineage showing the connection from the Old Testament (specifically from Adam and Abraham) to Jesus, incorporating elements from both Matthew and Luke:
Old Testament Ancestry (From Adam to David):
* Adam: Created by God
* Seth
* Enosh
* Kenan
* Mahalalel
* Jared
* Enoch
* Methuselah
* Lamech
* Noah: Survived the Flood
* Shem
* Arpachshad
* Shelah
* Eber
* Peleg
* Reu
* Serug
* Nahor
* Terah: Father of Abraham
* Abraham: Founder of the Israelite nation (through Isaac)
* Isaac
* Jacob (Israel)
* Judah
* Perez
* Hezron
* Ram
* Amminadab
* Nahshon
* Salmon
* Boaz (father was Salma, Book of Ruth)
* Obed
* Jesse
* David: King of Israel
From David to Jesus (The Divergence):
* David:
* Matthew's genealogy follows the line of Solomon, David's son who became king after him.
* Luke's genealogy follows the line of Nathan, another son of David.
Matthew's Line (Through Solomon):
* Solomon
* Rehoboam
* Abijah
* Asa
* Jehoshaphat
* Joram
* Uzziah (Azariah)
* Jotham
* Ahaz
* Hezekiah
* Manasseh
* Amon
* Josiah
* Jeconiah (Jehoiachin)
* Shealtiel
* Zerubbabel
* Abiud
* Eliakim
* Azor
* Zadok
* Achim
* Eliud
* Eleazar
* Matthan
* Jacob
* Joseph: Husband of Mary
Luke's Line (Through Nathan):
* Nathan
* Mattatha
* Menna
* Melea
* Eliakim
* Jonan
* Joseph
* Judah
* Simeon
* Levi
* Matthat
* Jorim
* Eliezer
* Jose
* Er
* Elmodam
* Cosam
* Addi
* Melchi
* Neri
* Shealtiel
* Zerubbabel
* Rhesa
* Joanna
* Juda
* Joseph
* Semein
* Mattathias
* Maath
* Naggai
* Esli
* Naum
* Amos
* Mattathias
* Joseph
* Jannai
* Melchi
* Levi
* Matthat
* Heli
* Joseph: Husband of Mary
Connecting to Jesus:
* Joseph (Husband of Mary in both genealogies)
* Jesus: Born of Mary
Key Differences and Interpretations:
* Matthew's genealogy: Likely intended to show Jesus' legal right to the throne of David through the line of kings. It emphasizes the royal lineage. Some scholars believe this genealogy traces the lineage of Joseph, Jesus' legal (though not biological) father.
* Luke's genealogy: Traces back to Adam, emphasizing Jesus' connection to all of humanity. It may be tracing Mary's lineage. This would emphasize Jesus' physical descent from David. The mention of Heli as Joseph's father is often interpreted as Heli being Mary's father, making Joseph his son-in-law.
In summary: The genealogies are not contradictory but likely present different perspectives on Jesus' ancestry. Matthew focuses on the royal lineage and legal right, while Luke focuses on Jesus' human ancestry and connection to all people. Both affirm his descent from David, a crucial messianic requirement. They also both connect Jesus back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, and ultimately to Adam, the father of all mankind.