Why does Jesus's genealogy differ between Matthew and Luke?
The Straight Answer
The two Gospels trace different lines that both converge on David, likely reflecting two different purposes rather than a contradiction.
Matthew's Line
Matthew traces from Abraham through David and Solomon down to Joseph, emphasizing Jesus's legal, royal claim to the throne through his legal father.
Luke's Line
Luke traces back further, to Adam, likely through Mary's actual bloodline even though it's listed under Joseph by custom, through David's other son Nathan, not Solomon.
The Honest Limit
Several proposed harmonizations exist for exactly how these two lines relate, but there isn't one explanation universally agreed on by scholars. What's consistent across both is the claim that Jesus descends from David.
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