Mthew 1.1 to Mathew 1.17 (Jesus, Messiah, gospel, Kingdom, virgin)

[Merlin]

What exactly is this long list of genealogy for?

[Aqualung]

It's to help prove to the jews that jesus was in fact the messiah. He was a son of David, like the prophets said he would be. The genealogy was to show the readers of these things.

[dan]

Matthew's list is to show that Christ is a descendent of David and the promised Messiah. Matthew's whole book is to convince the Jews that Christ is He that should come, thus all the quotes of prophecy from the Old Testament. John's book, on the other hand, is directed at members of the Christian faith, specifically converts from outside Judaism. He speaks more of the love of God.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

It's to help prove to the jews that jesus was in fact the messiah. He was a son of David, like the prophets said he would be. The genealogy was to show the readers of these things.

Bingo. That prophecy actually comes from God Himself originally. God told David that his descendant would establish an eternal kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:12When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

But yes, the prohets do confirm it.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

It's to help prove to the jews that jesus was in fact the messiah. He was a son of David, like the prophets said he would be. The genealogy was to show the readers of these things.

It actually proves that Joseph was decended from David. But as Jesus is not related to Joseph (virgin birth remember), how does it help? Now if it was Mary's genealogy, it would be different.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Merlin

It actually proves that Joseph was decended from David. But as Jesus is not related to Joseph (virgin birth remember), how does it help? Now if it was Mary's genealogy, it would be different.

I think one of the gospels has mary's genealogy. I'm not sure though.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by dan

Matthew's list is to show that Christ is a descendent of David and the promised Messiah. Matthew's whole book is to convince the Jews that Christ is He that should come, thus all the quotes of prophecy from the Old Testament. John's book, on the other hand, is directed at members of the Christian faith, specifically converts from outside Judaism. He speaks more of the love of God.

Are you suggesting he was 'bending things' for effect?

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Are you suggesting he was 'bending things' for effect?

He didn't bend anything. He just focused on things that John didn't. Like if I were tell the story of my father, I might focus more on his humour (because I really think he's a funny guy and that's a thing I want others to see) while some one else might focus on his artistic abilities because they want to convince other artists that he could draw. That's not bending, it's just focusing, because both aspects are equally true.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

I think one of the gospels has mary's genealogy. I'm not sure though.

Genealogies of both parents are given. Both apear to be through Joseph, but since Mary, as far as I know, had no brothers, hers is given through Joseph as well. I believe that was the custom of the time.

[dan]

Originally Posted by Merlin

It actually proves that Joseph was decended from David. But as Jesus is not related to Joseph (virgin birth remember), how does it help? Now if it was Mary's genealogy, it would be different.

In the ancient Jewish culture it didn't make one ounce of difference if he wasn't his real father. The laws of the time made Joseph Jesus' father irrespective of the fact that he did not sire Him. Legally, socially and religiously he was Christ's father.