Introduction

Skeptics often argue that Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 present conflicting genealogies of Jesus Christ. However, as we shall see, the two genealogies are entirely consistent with each other. What's more, the two genealogies are actually amazing fulfillments of the prophecies concerning Christ! So, then, why are the genealogies different?

The Answer

Luke traces the genealogy of Christ through Mary, and Matthew traces the genealogy of Christ through Joseph. The two accounts contain different names not because they contradict each other, but because two different family lines are being followed. Joseph (according to Luke) was likely not the son of Heli, but rather the son-in-law of Heli, though this is implicit rather than explicit since there is no Greek word which means "son-in-law."

You can view a summary image showing the two genealogies by clicking here.

The Importance of the Two Genealogies

The Old Testament prophecies are actually fulfilled in Jesus' genealogy turning out the way it did (including the virgin birth)! First, God promises:

The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs;
the nations will obey him.Genesis 49:10

This messianic prophecy states that "the scepter will not depart from Judah." God works providentially to preserve the line of Judah in amazing ways, such as is recorded in the book of Ruth. In 2 Samuel, we read of God's promise to David that his seed and throne would continue forever:

12 When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent. 14 I will become his father and he will become my son. When he sins, I will correct him with the rod of men and with wounds inflicted by human beings. 15 But my loyal love will not be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent.2 Samuel 7:12-16

These same verses contain God's promise that Solomon's throne would endure forever (v13), but notice that it says nothing about Solomon's seed. We read elsewhere that Jehoiakim--a king of Judah, of the line of Solomon, was cursed, and told that his line would not occupy the throne:

30 So the LORD says concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah, "None of his line will occupy the throne of David. His dead body will be thrown out to be exposed to scorching heat by day and frost by night. 31 I will punish him and his descendants and the officials who serve him for the wicked things they have done. I will bring on them, the citizens of Jerusalem, and the people of Judah all the disaster that I threatened to do to them. I will punish them because I threatened them but they still paid no heed."Jeremiah 36:30-31

Jeconiah, Jehoiakim's son, was the last in the the line to occupy the throne of David:

The LORD says,

"Enroll this man in the register as though he were childless.
Enroll him as a man who will not enjoy success during his lifetime.
For none of his sons will succeed in occupying the throne of David
or ever succeed in ruling over Judah."Jeremiah 22:30

So how could God fulfill His promises to David and Solomon, having cursed Jehoiakim and terminating the line at Jeconiah? If Jesus was of the line of Jehoiakim, He would have been disqualified from the throne. The answer is in the two genealogies.

Matthew records the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, who is a descendant of David through Solomon and the kings of Judah. Luke records the genealogy of Jesus through Mary, who is a descendant of David through Nathan. Nathan's line did not receive the curse that Solomon's line did through Jehoiakim. The legal right to the throne of David is preserved through Solomon on down to Joseph, while the seed of David is continued through Nathan on down to Mary.