The genealogies compared


Book of Kells, folio 29r: Liber generationis, the opening of Matthew's genealogy of Jesus
Book of Kells, about 800 CE, folio 29r: Liber generationis, the first words of Matthew’s genealogy. Trinity College Dublin. Public domain. Wikimedia Commons.
DetailMarkMatthewLukeJohnThomas
Where it appearsNone1:1-17, the opening of the gospel3:23-38, after the baptismNone. The prologue gives the Word instead 1:1-18No account
DirectionNo listForward from Abraham to JesusBackward from Jesus to Adam and God 3:38No listNo account
Joseph’s fatherJoseph is not named as a fatherJacob 1:16Heli 3:23Jesus is called “the son of Joseph” 1:45; 6:42. His father is not named.Joseph is never named
Line from DavidNo listThrough Solomon 1:6Through Nathan 3:31No listNo account
ShealtielNo listSon of Jeconiah; father of Zerubbabel 1:12Son of Neri 3:27No listNo account
Joseph and JesusNo list“Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born” 1:16“Being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph” 3:23No listNo account
Women namedNo listTamar, Rahab, Ruth, the wife of Uriah, and Mary 1:3-16NoneNo listNo account
Count statedNo listThree sets of fourteen 1:17None statedNo listNo account

Only Matthew and Luke give a genealogy, and they agree on little between David and Joseph. Mark, John and Thomas give none. The table records the lists as written and does not say how the differences are explained.


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