Bible Question: HOW COULD JESUS BE A DESCENDANT OF DAVID IF HE WAS CONCIEVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT? HE DID NOT HAVE AN EARTHLY FATHER. |
Bible Answer: The genealogy of Christ according to the First Evangelist descends from Abraham through three series of fourteen members each; the first fourteen belong to the patriarchal order, the second to the royal and the third to that of private citizens. Matthew 1:17, shows that this arrangement was intended; for the writer expressly states: "So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations." First Series 1. Abraham 2. Isaac 3. Jacob 4. Judas 5. Phares 6. Esron 7. Aram 8. Aminadab 9. Naasson 10. Salmon 11. Booz 12. Obed 13. Jesse 14. David Second Series 1. Solomon 2. Roboam 3. Abia 4. Asa 5. Josaphat 6. Joram 7. Ozias 8. Joatham 9. Achaz 10. Ezechias 11. Manasses 12. Amon 13. Josias 14. Jechonias Third Series 1. Jechonias 2. Salathiel 3. Zorobabel 4. Abiud 5. Eliacim 6. Azor 7. Sadoe 8. Achim 9. Eliud 10. Eleazar 11. Mathan 12. Jacob 13. Joseph 14. Jesus By virtue of Joseph's marriage with Mary, Jesus could be called the son of Joseph, he can for the same reason be called "son of David" (St. Augustine, On the Harmony of the Gospels, II, i, 2). Brian |