Jesus has two genealogies listed in the new testament: that of Joseph’s ancestry and that of Mary’s (which is listed by Luke under Joseph). Both of them Jews, living in Judea, descended from the tribe of Judah, through David.
At first glance, it would seem one or both of the genealogies are wrong since they list two different fathers and lineages for Joseph. Many people misunderstand this, and consider it an error on Luke’s part. But, it is easily reconciled by understanding Torah and the culture of Jews of the first century.
But careful study reveals: The two genealogies trace back through two different sons of David, the royal line through Solomon and the other through Nathan. Joseph was of the royal line; Mary of the other (Nathan) line. Both were faithful Jews descended from David.
So, why list Mary’s line through Joseph? Simply this: the Zelophahad law from Numbers: when a man has only daughters, the husband of the daughter can be adopted by her father so that her ancestral lands and titles remain within the tribe. This is particularly important, because Jesus’s not being descended of Joseph by natural means, but by the Holy Spirit, must be an heir of the Davidic throne by adoption. So, Joseph is adopted by Heli (Mary’s father) under the Zelophahad law, and Jesus is adopted by Joseph which means Jesus is a blood heir of David, and royal by adoption, so that He is not descended from the cursed King Jeconiah (aka Jehoikin) ancestor of Joseph.
Yes, Jesus was Jewish. Jewish by birth, Jewish by adoption, Jewish by culture, Jewish by faith. Anyone who says otherwise is making stuff up.
Was Jesus really Jewish?
At first glance, it would seem one or both of the genealogies are wrong since they list two different fathers and lineages for Joseph. Many people misunderstand this, and consider it an error on Luke’s part. But, it is easily reconciled by understanding Torah and the culture of Jews of the first century.
But careful study reveals: The two genealogies trace back through two different sons of David, the royal line through Solomon and the other through Nathan. Joseph was of the royal line; Mary of the other (Nathan) line. Both were faithful Jews descended from David.
So, why list Mary’s line through Joseph? Simply this: the Zelophahad law from Numbers: when a man has only daughters, the husband of the daughter can be adopted by her father so that her ancestral lands and titles remain within the tribe. This is particularly important, because Jesus’s not being descended of Joseph by natural means, but by the Holy Spirit, must be an heir of the Davidic throne by adoption. So, Joseph is adopted by Heli (Mary’s father) under the Zelophahad law, and Jesus is adopted by Joseph which means Jesus is a blood heir of David, and royal by adoption, so that He is not descended from the cursed King Jeconiah (aka Jehoikin) ancestor of Joseph.
Yes, Jesus was Jewish. Jewish by birth, Jewish by adoption, Jewish by culture, Jewish by faith. Anyone who says otherwise is making stuff up.
Published in Bible, Commentary, Evangelism, Prepared Warriors and Teaching