Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Ancient genealogies were not meant as pure historical record. Instead, they were assembled to emphasize identity and status, legitimizing a person’s rightful claim to a role (such as priest or king) or to an inheritance.
Take note of any names in today’s lists that you recognize. As some names in this genealogy may be familiar, do you have any initial expectations about the people and stories Jesus’s genealogy contains?
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106 thoughts on "The Genealogy of Jesus"
I love that Jesus’ line contains two gentile, foreign women (Rehab and Ruth), who chose to follow Yahweh and as a result help birth the line of the Savior.
I never noticed before that the names are different in the book of Matthew and Luke. I thought they were the same.
Preservation of lineage is beautiful.
Each person in this genealogy was important to the coming of Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t matter how well known some of the names are or aren’t it speaks on the fact that God truly has a purpose for everyone.
They generally deviate at the point of Solomon. I believe Mary comes from one line and Joseph comes from the other line.
So cool how you can see the trials that happened (Babylon captivity) yet God remained faithful and saved the lineage.
Interesting to see Ruth in here! ✨
It’s so beautiful to see that Jesus’ earthly bloodline was made up of kings,yet he was born into a humble manger.
Also the explains the ‘king of kings’ title given to Jesus… his flesh is from a genealogy of kings and he is THE king (GOD)
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I’ve been pondering the genealogy of my Lord Jesus for a long time. Reading these passages was helpful for me.
some names of the sons that looked familiar were David, Mary, Adam, God, and Jesse.
I see this list of names and it traces Jesus back to the beginning of time, making more known that he was part of Gods plan from the beginning. But it makes me think of our own family trees. Filled with names and people we may not know, but they shape us and our identity.
Yes! I came here to the comments to see if anyone else was curious about the women mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy. Rahab and her story has been dear to my heart since I first read about her.
I’ve never thought of this, why/how did Joseph become a man who trusted God above everything the world expected of him in this situation.
In Matthew 1:1-17, it lists out the geneology of Jesus, which is a list of names, and mostly who was the father of whom.
BUT in the middle of the list, it names Rahab as the mother of Boaz! The Boaz who eventually married Ruth and their son was Obed who was the father of Jesse who was the father of David. If you know the story of Ruth, Boaz was extremely kind and intentional to Ruth in a way that defied his culture. I feel like it makes total sense that he was raised by a woman like Rahab who experienced the deep and intentional love of Yahweh in contrast to the chaos of what she had to do to make her way in her world.
Amen
I am thinking being he was his earthly father, the people he came from and who raised Joseph and Jesus was around, helped form who Jospeh was, and who raised Jesus was. Also tells us he was a carpenter, so a hard working humble man, and his hard working family, who also were not royalty. Took on the obligation to raise Jesus.
Lord thank you for your word!
Jesus the second and perfect Adam! Interesting that not much mention of Ruth being from outside the Hebrew line has been made…
I have often wondered this. So much effort in the Genology to Joseph yet he’s not bilog
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I used to skip over the genealogies and didn’t pay much attention because “obviously we end up with Jesus from the very beginning”. When we take a closer look we see perspective and things coming together from the beginning. It’s like a tie from the beginning to the New Testament when something new enters the world and changes everything.
I had this same thought! I believe God has always made sure humans could not take credit for His work. Not in a prideful way, but in a holy, almighty way.
Anyone know why the genealogy follows Joseph, when he’s not even biologically related to to Jesus? Something I’ve never really questioned!
I’m glad i listened to the post b4 reading. This is so beautifully seamless
How do we reconcile the differences in the genealogies between the Matthew and the Luke accounts. I know you mentioned that some names are left out and begat may mean grandfather vs father, but Matthew traces the line through soloman son of David and Luke traces it from Nathan son of David… ???
Zerubbabel
Zerubbabel – (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)The seed of Babylon, the son of Salathiel or Shealtiel (Hag. 1:1; Zorobabel, Matt. 1:12); called also the son of Pedaiah (1 Chr. 3:17-19), i.e., according to a frequent usage of the word “son;” the grandson or the nephew of Salathiel. He is also known by the Persian name of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8, 11). In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, he led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360 (Ezra 2:64), exclusive of a large number of servants, who returned from captivity at the close of the seventy years. In the second year after the Return, he erected an altar and laid the foundation of the temple on the ruins of that which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (3:8-13; ch. 4-6). All through the work he occupied a prominent place, inasmuch as he was a descendant of the royal line of David.
I love how in Luke 3:23-38, Jesus is called the Son of Abraham, the father of faith and passed down through Jesus’ mother, Mary. That’s quite beautiful! He is the Son of Abraham and the Son of Adam and so the Son of God. Remarkable!
I thought that is was really cool to see the list from Luke went all the way back to Adam. I think that hit my brain the hardest that this all started at the beginning.
I find it so interesting how Matthew wrote the genealogy going forward and Luke wrote it going backwards all the way to the first Adam! Jesus being called the second Adam in scripture.
Love how God used ordinary people with all the crazy to do extraordinary things … like save the world through Jesus!
I have always loved that in Matthew’s genealogy he includes four important women, who were seen as outcast or seen as less then in their community. I think that is so powerful to just show that these women are key parts in the genealogy of Jesus. In Matthew is one of the few places if not only place where Rahab is just listed as her name, and not with the title of her lifestyle.
I miss that too. I feel like I am missing a part, Laurie.
@MERCY I have a hard time with Genealogies too. I tend to skip through it as I read it and have to force myself to go back. Praying you feel better! Nothing worse then being sick in the summer time.
CHARLIE: That’s what I wondered as well and how I interpreted it, although I am also not a Bible scholar. You worded it so eloquently for both of us! ❤️ Thank you.
Not sure if people know, but the genealogy in Luke is actually Mary’s family tree not Joseph’s. Due to Joseph not having any biological relation with Jesus.
@teresea Seven is the symbol of spiritual perfection in the Bible. The Number 14 signifies a measure of double completion.
Bathsheba was Solomon’s mom.
It’s beautiful how they all are named so uniquely
Awesome
Genealogies can feel dry for me. BUT….if it’s mine, it will feel different. Thankful for the paternal and maternal genealogies so we can see the lines and branches. I sometimes wonder who I could be connected to…but it is a mystery. After many many generations in the Bible, I think it is a big deal to be selected and named in the Christ’s genealogies. It’s an enormous honor that God chose for people to partake in such honor. For God gives grace to the humble. Families could be very broken, messy, entangled in every direction, but God’s mercies are weaved in. Praise God for the promised King Jesus, that we are now received through faith and grafted into such genealogies. We are children of Abraham through faith. Somewhere, in the book of Heavens, genealogies of your names and my name are being written and still recorded. I don’t doubt that. And one day we can read about our bloodlines being grafted, how many generations after Christ, and there we are! Glory to the King of Mercy and Grace. It is such good news, isn’t it? Glory and praise to King of all kings!
@Rhonda: thinking of you, praying you have the energy for family reunions, and good rest.
@Heidi: hoping you’re in Europe since we haven’t heard from you.
@Foster Mama: sending prayers.
Sisters, I have been under the weather and it got me down :( I would appreciate prayers for good health and a joyful mind, that is to stay. Thank you for praying.
Be blessed dear sisters.
As I have a bad habit of skimming the genealogy lists, I could only recognize the more well-known names. I love that Matthew included 4 women as women aren’t usually mentioned in ancient genealogies. But these women are special because they are perfect examples of God’s grace and how he uses unlikely people for his plan.
I did the same thing
That’s my favorite part. He used everyday people to work for his good.
Could you share a picture of this list?
It is very interesting to me that the 2 genealogies don’t consist of the same names! Similar names, but I noticed some differences. There also seemed to be more names in Luke in between names that were after each other in Matthew.
If you have an Inductive Study Bible you will find an interesting list just before the book of Matthew that compares the two genealogies.
I just love that the family tree is consisted of different people. God is willing to use people who are not perfect and broken for His glory.
I find it much easier to read the genealogy from Matthew than the one from Luke. I think it’s easier for me to work forward than it is to work backward. I also wonder, what is the significance of 14 generations between sections of generations in Matthew.
If you have the study book, the pages between day 2 & 3, talk about how to read stories of people in the the bible. 1. Biblical narrative is often descriptive rather than prescriptive. 2. Women and men in the bible are complex (rarely fit into neat categories like,”good and “bad”). 3. Our social norms are different than those we encounter in the bible. 4. God’s revelation is gradual. 5. God worked through broken, sinful people. There was more but hope this helps everyone who doesn’t have a book.
Sorry I meant Susie not Sara. Ella sending hugs, please let us know how you are doing. Prayers lifted for needs silent and spoken.
Lehua, I also find it intriguing that “… sometimes the women are mentioned and sometimes they aren’t, and that it also says David fathered Solomon through ‘Uriah’s wife.'” I am not a Biblical scholar, but I always figured it was to point out David’s sin–sleeping with Bathsheba while Uriah was in battle and then having Uriah killed — but then also having their second son, Solomon, be in the lineage of Christ. Kinda like a marker for the generations: don’t forget this messiness in Christ’s “family tree.” We all have secrets and mistakes, even David.
Sara, I looked up Heli and found where he was the father of Mary and was Joseph’s father-in-law.
I kept reading it and going back and thinking wait wait I’m lost. I’m gonna have to phone a pastor friend to help sort it out.
This is the first time I noticed that sometimes the women are mentioned and sometimes they aren’t, and that it also says David fathered Solomon through “Uriah’s wife.” I wonder why it’s phrased that way.
So neat to recognize some of the names and remember their stories as well.
Genealogy studies are not my favorite. So hoping I can get through this and find God’s hand in it all.
How God used imperfect people to accomplish and be part of His redemptive plan! How grateful for God’s redemption!
I made a T chart in my study book and I have more unfamiliar names than familiar. I couldn’t fit all of the unfamiliar ones. I have a habit of skimming through lists of names.
So much imperfection (me included) in His genealogy… perfection can still come of it! Thanks, God! Be blessed today, sweet She’s!
So many of the name were recognizable and I didn’t know they were in the genealogy of Jesus. Learning something new about our Lord and Savior already. Beautiful ❤️
Women were included and both genealogies have a different focus. Matthew focuses on Jesus‘ kingship through the line of David while Luke traces Jesus‘ lineage back to Adam. Weird that Joseph is recorded as both the son of Jacob and the son of Heli. Maybe some generations were skipped?
How come in the Matthew genealogy Joseph’s father is listed as a guy named Jacob, but in the Luke genealogy he is the son of a man named Heli.
The only place they seem to be similar is up so far as David. And I understand it could be just other family members mentioned, but why would Joseph’s father being mentioned differently?
(Not the point, I know, but I get curious :)
MOLLY R – Thanks for sharing your personal experience with this teaching! Sweet!
HEIDI – you and your family are in my prayers wherever you are and I hope we hear from you soon!
I grew up going to church Sunday AM/PM and Wednesday, and attended a Christian school K-12. There was a lot of expectations of morality, and a lot of spoken and unspoken judgement on behavior that was NOT Christian-like. I remember very vividly sitting in Sunday School as a young girl and learning about Rahab. I spent time during the church service to pour over the Bible verses talking about her and struggling in my young, innocent, very influenced mind about how could someone like her be included, so honorably, in the lineage of Christ. It was a question that marinated in the back of my mind as I grew and matured. I often entertained myself during the long sermons by reading about the women of the Old Testament. It helped me see the folly of thinking of one’s self “better” than another based on lifestyles, mistakes, and the perceptions others may hold of a person. Rahab is my favorite and I smile every time I see her name mentioned. It has allowed me to know that one’s mistakes and one’s sins are not a reflection of one’s value and the potential to be used by God in mighty ways.
A perfect Savior with a lineage of imperfection. A perfect Redeemer for to make a way of adoption for all the imperfect brothers and sisters He died so He wouldn’t live without them. Wow.
I wasn’t as familiar with the Luke genealogy. I also noticed God valued women and has a place for them to fulfill his purpose
I never really paid much attention to these before especially in Luke. God values women and blessed them and used them for his purpose.
Ella, you are the daughter of the King. His precious treasure. Praying for you. My daddy spent years working on our genealogy thru his family and thru my mother’s family. I have a notebook full of his findings. It is so fun to go back through time to see where we have come from. Jesus’ genealogy is pretty cool. Especially having read about so many of the people and knowing their stories. Lots of imperfect people. But aren’t we all imperfect? And He still uses us. Thankful our God is a forgiving, merciful, loving God. Hugs to all ❤️
@Maria Baer- yes! Lisa Harper’s podcast for Chronicles study- “genealogies are not a census, but a sermon” And the podcast for this week with Dr Sandra Glahn pointed out that the two genealogies are different-and point to the King of the Jews (Matthew) and the Son of Man (Luke) and that women are mentioned, including Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) – a reminder of the wickedness in the genealogies.
Such good insights, Linda!
I love genealogies (especially this one) because they remind us our ancestors were human, they made mistakes, they did great things, they were scared, they were brave, they loved, they lost and most importantly God used their story for His glory!!! It’s comforting to know I don’t have to have it together all the time and when I’m broken and weary God is working!! Just a beautiful reminder to keep rooted in Gods word!!
God includes Tamar the manipulator, Rahab the prostitute and Ruth the non- Israelite in the specific genealogy of Jesus. Amazing as women were not considered as first class citizens or of material value in the family tree. Emphasizes that God not only values women but can bless us and use us in his kingdom regardless of our mistakes, failures, past behaviors or ancestry. Love that He points this out to us specifically by naming these women and preserving anf honoring them
Good Morning She’s!
I was happy to get some time this morning to be back here after a few busy mornings! This reading shows us that families aren’t perfect, but God is doing his work as he has determined regardless of our decisions. Although it is not my favorite read, I am glad that it is listed to prove this for the scholars and us as well!
We are not perfect only Jesus is and His genealogy shows us that God used an imperfect people to bring about the perfect Messiah. That means that there is hope for all of us including me to be used for God’s perfect plan. Thank you Heavenly Father!
Oops!! I just answered my own question! It just felt like there were people “missing” in one genealogy but the sections of 14 don’t start until after Abraham. And I think PHOEBE’S info also comes in handy here.
I suppose I’m one more imperfect person to add to the list found in these genealogies!! :D
@Ella- I hope you are reading all these beautiful posts directed towards you yesterday and today! I had the opportunity to share my testimony at my church small group yesterday. Something I shared was the Scripture in Psalm 68:6 “God sets the lonely in families;” because when I became closer to the Lord, I lost my “close” friends. They were all headed a different direction than me. God hears your prayers and I pray you trust Him to lead you to people to love you in this season even better than former friends.
If there’s anything I know, God does not want you to live a lonely life. I pray you have the courage and heart space to let people in from His body and continue to believe He will pair you with the right people.
I am in a season where it is hard to have “best friends” but I most certainly am not lacking when it comes to Christian relationships. They might not be super deep right now, but God brings through different seasons – so I am praying for that to come in the future.
God is taking care of you, Ella! May you truly depend on Him to be your guide in relationships. He will not forsake you, even when the world might do so. <3
@Sharon JG- thank you for praying !!
@Heidi- thinking of you and hoping your family to be at peace. God be near and bless you!
I still don’t understand the “14 generations” references…I can count more people than 14, no?!
PHOEBE – THANKS you for that!! I wondered too!!
CHELSEY W – Me too!! Reading “Lineage of Grace”…JUST started Ruth and was so touched by first two!!
HEIDI – Sending unexpected joy today, wherever you are.
ELLA – I hope you feel the arms of Christ and us Shes wrapped around you.
VICTORIA E – praying for you and work stuff you mentioned a while back
SISTERS I am so excited — this is the first Plan that I have been reading perfectly in time with the community in a while… praying it continues!
Who was Ruth’s (the Moabitess) mother in-law?! Yes, Naomi!! But from her 2nd marriage — it’s RAHAB!! I love thinking of that and how it perhaps impacted how Boaz saw her (I hope Francine will capture that — we’ll see but either way, it moves me deeply)!!
Prayer requests: 1) Some important, difficult decisions are being made about the Baby in our home — please pray for those responsible and for our hearts over the course of it. 2) There is completely out of control (actually scary) drama happening in my extended family.
God bless you all
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We know so many of the names. How we love Ruth and Boaz, great grandparents of King David, and his great-great grandmother Rahab. We know the patriarchs and their stories: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I was thinking about all the names we aren’t familiar with, like Addi, Cosam, and Er. They, too, are in the direct line of Jesus. What are their stories, I wonder? I like to think about all these men and women lined up, all pointing the way to this one perfect man, our Savior. Who we are and what we do: it matters, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
When I turned to Luke and began reading, I thought “Hold up! Red flag”. As I flipped back and forth to Matthews text I noticed these are not the same…. Quick google search and I read an article on Zondervan Academic titled “Why Are Jesus’ Genealogies in Matthew and Luke Different?”. Gave some good insight to settle my panic :)
I love to read about the imperfect part of these people. What was there downfall and how did God used it for his glory. Got used broke people to bring the most perfect gift. I love to learn about those mention that I never hear of. And it give me hope that God can still used me no matter how imperfect I am❤️
Amen
This is from the podcast.
When we read these genealogies we see that God keeps His promises. His plans cannot be thwarted. Nothing we can do will keep God’s plan from happening. Is God good and can I trust Him? Yes! Is He all-powerful? Yes! He has had a plan from the beginning. We mess up but we can’t keep His plans from happening.
There is great security in this. Nothing I can do can thwart the ability of God to keep His promises. And nothing done to me will thwart His ability to keep His promises.
My Bible has this note that really stuck out to me: The lineage is comprised of men, women, adulterers, prostitutes, heroes and gentiles but Jesus is the Savior of ALL! Amen!!
I was thinking the same thing! And I just love Lisa Harper!
I love how the genealogy in Luke ends with son of Adam and son of God!
ELLA – praying for you this morning. I’m asking God to meet you where you are and also to send you someone to walk with you. You’re not alone, even when it feels like it.
HEIDI – I hope all the pieces fell into place for you and you’re in Europe.
Me too Gayle! Being raised in a church where women were not valued, I love how getting to know God and His heart has revealed how much he loves and respects women. God is so good!
I have come to appreciate genealogies so much more as I get older in my walk of faith. To know that God could & did use broken, sinful people to accomplish His will, means He can use me too.
It makes the truth that God is a God of forgiveness and redemption stand out even more. What a loving merciful God we serve!
@Heidi – did you all get your passports? Still praying.
@Theresa – did your husband get his passport?
@Michelle – praying for your family situation.
@Rhonda – hoping all went well with your full house.
@Ella – I didn’t see your post, but wanted to say welcome to SRT. You are not alone here & you are seen. Praying for you.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Beautifully said, Elyse!
I am so thankful of how these Bible studies have been building upon each other because I think that, had I not done the 1 & 2 Chronicles studies, I would not have truly grasped the importance of genealogies in the Bible, aside from being a list of names. Something Lisa Harper mentioned in one of the podcasts stuck with me— “genealogies are not a census, but a sermon.” And with the frame of mind, it is interesting reading the genealogy of Jesus (especially in Matthew) and as you read the name, the stories of those people come to mind. I also love that his mentions the women in the genealogy too.
Oh dear Ella. I hope and pray you can feel the love and hug I am sending to you. I pray God will hold you so close and do tightly
I am reading Lineage of Grace currently by Francine Rivers. It ties in perfectly with todays verses. It is short stories about Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. So good!
Amen and well said, Erin!
Jesus’ family tree is full of imperfect and sinful people just as my family. I love the redemption story!
I remember the study done on Leviticus earlier this year and a comment from the podcast that genealogies may be hard for us to read because we have no connection to these ancient people, but it shows us how God has been at work since the beginning. Each person, whether we know their name or not, played a role in the history of our faith and was important in God’s plan. And what an impression that leaves on us! God is still at work and still executing his plan and we play a role as adopted heirs in the faith.
So much imperfection but perfection is still the outcome in Jesus. He makes all things new, and righteous…even today. Even us. Even me. Thank You Jesus! Amen
I was confused why the genealogies seem to differ at King David (Matthew’s account follows his son Solomon but Luke’s his son Nathan), but found that one follows Jospeh’s line (Matthew) and one follows Mary’s (Luke).
Both fill me with hope – if Jesus comes from these lines of sinful people, surely He welcomes me into His family, too!
I used to dread anytime I had to read a geneology because it was boring with a lot of hard to pronounce names. However, I always learn something new about it every time I read it and the fact that Jesus was from a line of people that weren’t perfect comforts me. I am also fascinated by the different meanings of who is included.
The people in Jesus’ genealogy were all over the place morally & spiritually, some repentant and some not – yet regardless of their lives, God’s plan was not thwarted. Same with us today – Lord, I pray that You will guide us on Your path for our lives, to walk in Your will.
KELLY (NEO) – I have the same question. HEIDI – praying for peace in your heart whether you are here or there ❤️
LINDAK – ❤️
TRACI GENDRON – yes, so thankful for those new mercies each morning
MOLLY R – such good news!
ELLA – your sisters here notice you! We are praying for you in your feelings of loneliness, and reminding ourselves and you that the Lord is always with each of us. Praying that He will amaze you with new connections ❤️
I’ve always loved the fact that Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) and of course Mary, are all included in the genealogy of Jesus! God can and does use anyone!
Elyse Ripellino- that is so well said!! Amen!
Just like my family, brokenness and flat out sin. Yet if He was going to enter our humanity there was no way around it.
ELLA – I’m so sorry you are feeling alone. As said yesterday, we Shes are for you. Praying the Lord will show you one friend who you can turn to and He would shut the mouth of the enemy from speaking lies
HEIDI – where are you this morning?
Amen
The thing that always amazes me is that Jesus wasn’t born into a “perfect” genealogy. There are illegitimate births, sin, and human imperfection in these stories. God’s plan wasn’t to set up his Son with some prestigious lineage (even though quite a few did amazing things). He was born in a stable with animals. I love the reminder of humility and pray for that same humility daily. We are surrounded by people constantly trying to impress and one up each other on social media and in everyday life and I’m reminded that we need to focus on what really matters. It’s not about the things we have but about the people we impact and the difference we can make.