Comparative Theology · Synoptic Differences
The Genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1 vs. Luke 3)
In short
- 1.Joseph's (PBUH) father: Matthew 1:16 says Jacob (PBUH). Luke 3:23 says Heli.
- 2.Lineage: Matthew traces descent through Solomon (PBUH) son of David (PBUH); Luke through Nathan son of David (PBUH).
- 3.Mathematical error: Matthew 1:17 claims 14 generations from Babylon to Christ, but lists only 13 names.
The claim being examined
The view that the two genealogies of Jesus (PBUH) are fully harmonisable records of a single ancestral line.
The Islamic position
Two irreconcilable family trees for the same man point to human authorship shaped by .
Analysis
Matthew and Luke were each making a point with their family tree. Matthew traces a royal line from David (PBUH) for a Jewish readership; Luke traces the line all the way back to Adam (PBUH), for everyone. The popular explanation that one list is Mary's family is not in either text — both say Joseph (PBUH).
From the Qur'an
وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًۭا كَثِيرًۭا
walaw kāna min ʿindi ghayri l-lahi lawajadū fīhi ikh'tilāfan kathīran
If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.
From the Bible
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Read it in their BibleJesus... being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.
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