Please see Matthew 1:1-17

I do not plan on covering all the names in the two genealogies recorded in Matthew and Luke. Rather, I will just point out a few of the interesting family members and attempt to explain some of the specifics of each genealogy.

Matthew’s audience was primarily Jewish. The Jews were looking for the Messiah to come from two major historical figures, Abraham and David. This blog will cover the promise given to Abraham

Since the focus of the Jews was primarily on these two men, Matthew does not need to trace any further back than Abraham. You have probably noticed how often the Jews in the New Testament refer to Abraham as their father. This shows their main interest concerning the Messiah.

In Genesis 22, we have the promise given to Abraham to which the Jews point when searching for the Messiah.

And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. - Genesis 22:15-18

This promise was spoken to Abraham after he faithfully obeyed God concerning the sacrifice of his son, Isaac. The “multiplied” seed of Abraham are his natural offspring, i.e. the Jews.

During the first century there was not a single successful challenge to the genealogy of Matthew or Luke. Therefore, Matthew has shown an indisputable link from Jesus to Abraham, and Jesus has the right to hold the position as the Christ based on this family tree.