Matthew 1 vs. Luke 3: The Birth and Genealogy of Jesus
Anyone who has ever looked at the Christian account of God with any scrutiny will have
noticed that there are two listings of Jesus' earthly ancestors. The first is found in Matthew 1 and the
second in Luke 3. I have taken these lists directly out of these chapters and I will start by listing them
here:
| Matthew 1 |
Luke 3 |
 |
1. Adam |
|
2. Seth |
|
3. Enos |
|
4. Cainan |
|
5. Maleleel |
|
6. Jared |
|
7. Enoch |
|
8. Mathusala |
|
9. Lamech |
|
10. Noe (Noah) |
|
11. Sem (Shem) |
|
12. Arphaxad |
|
13. Cainan |
|
14. Sala |
|
15. Heber |
|
16. Phalec |
|
17. Ragau |
|
18. Saruch |
|
19. Nachor |
|
20. Thara |
| 21. Abraham |
21. Abraham |
| 22. Isaac |
22. Isaac |
| 23. Jacob |
23. Jacob |
| 24. Judas |
24. Judah |
| 25. Phares |
25. Phares |
| 26. Esrom |
26. Esrom |
| 27. Aram |
27. Aram |
| 28. Aminadab |
28. Aminadab |
| 29. Naasson |
29. Naasson |
| 30. Salmon |
30. Salmon |
| 31. Booz |
31. Booz |
| 32. Obed |
32. Obed |
| 33. Jesse |
33. Jesse |
| 34. David |
34. David |
| 35. Solomon |
35. Nathan |
| 36. Roboam |
36. Mattatha |
| 37. Abia |
37. Menan |
| 38. Asa |
38. Melea |
| 39. Josaphat |
39. Eliakim |
| 40. Joram |
40. Jonan |
| 41. Ozias |
41. Joseph |
| 42. Joatham |
42. Judah |
| 43. Achaz |
43. Simeon |
| 44. Ezekias |
44. Levi |
| 45. Manasses |
45. Matthat |
| 46. Amon |
46. Jorim |
| 47. Josias |
47. Eliezer |
| 48. Jechonias |
48. Jose |
| 49. Salathiel |
49. Er |
| 50. Zorobabel |
50. Elmodam |
| 51. Abiud |
51. Cosam |
| 52. Eliakim |
52. Addi |
| 53. Azor |
53. Melchi |
| 54. Sadoc |
54. Neri |
| 55. Achim |
55. Salathiel |
| 56. Eliud |
56. Zorobabel |
| 57. Eleazar |
57. Rhesa |
| 58. Matthan |
58. Joanna |
| 59. Jacob |
59. Judah |
| 60. Joseph |
60. Joseph |
| 61. Jesus |
61. Semei |
|
62. Mattathias |
|
63. Joseph |
|
64. Janna |
|
65. Melchi |
|
66. Levi |
|
67. Matthat |
|
68. Heli |
|
69. Joseph |
|
70. Jesus |
|
As we can clearly see, one of the above lists is not correct. Keeping in mind that
Jewish genealogy was ALWAYS tracked through the father as it was a patriarchal culture, both lists
are through Jesus' paternal side.
This is clearly the largest of contradictions in the Christian Bible, and can not be
reconciled in any other way than to say that one of these lists is wrong. This makes one of these
"Gospels" wrong, and as so many Christians have pointed out to me, if one part of the Bible is wrong,
than none of it can be trusted.
This makes no mention of the smaller, yet possibly more meaningful dilemma of how
Jesus could be both Joseph's son and also God's son... but we will save that argument for another
chapter.
Matthew's Birth Narrative
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