Comparative Theology · Synoptic Differences
The Genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1 vs. Luke 3)
In short
- 1.**Joseph's father**: Matthew 1:16 says **Jacob**. Luke 3:23 says **Heli**.
- 2.**Lineage**: Matthew traces descent through **Solomon** son of David; Luke through **Nathan** son of David.
- 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 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 theology.
Analysis
Matthew and Luke shaped genealogical records around distinct theological agendas. Matthew establishes a royal Davidic lineage for a Jewish audience; Luke aims at a universal lineage tracing back to Adam. Harmonisations (a "Mary's line" reading) are absent from the text itself.
From the Qur'an
Qur'an 4:82
وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا
If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.
From the Bible
Matthew 1:16
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Read it in their BibleLuke 3:23
Jesus... being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.
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