If our resources have blessed you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ministry work.

genealogies-of-jesus_mark-and-john

Most Bible readers believe that only the Gospels of Matthew and Luke record genealogies for Jesus. However, that is not the case.  Each of the Gospels, in its own way, offers a genealogy.

The Genealogies of Jesus as Recorded in Matthew and Luke

Matthew presents Jesus as the legal heir to the throne of David and gives the genealogy from Abraham to Joseph.  Matthew reveals the promised Messiah, the coming King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Luke presents Jesus’ birthright as a man — and the Son of Man — born of Mary.  Although Joseph is listed, the genealogy found in Luke is Mary’s lineage (read about the two genealogies and the blood curse of Jeconiah  to understand this).  Luke records the genealogy of Joseph all the way back to the first man Adam and presents Jesus as the Son of Man, and as a son of David born of the Tribe of Judah.

This raises a question about the Gospels of Mark and John.  Most people think those Gospels don’t record a genealogy. And while that is true of Mark’s Gospel, it is not true of John’s Gospel.

The Genealogy of Jesus as Recorded in John

Begin by understanding that John presents Jesus as the Son of God revealing Him in all His divinity to be 100% God.   The genealogy of Jesus, found in the book of John, is presented in the first verse.  It is very short in words,  but very long in time.  It begins with Jesus, the Word, and traces his lineage all the way back to the beginning. The genealogy, in John, is of the pre-existent One, who is from eternity past, and this genealogy records Jesus’ rightful claim of divinity.   The Gospel of John reveals Jesus as the Son of God, Who is One with the Father and is from eternity past.

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.

Why Isn’t There a Genealogy in the Gospel of Mark?

It’s correct that there is not any genealogy for Jesus recorded in the book of Mark.  This raises the question, why would it be omitted when the other three Gospels record Jesus’ legal right to the throne as the Messiah, His birthright to the throne as the Son of Man, and His divine right as the Son of God. There’s a very good reason for the omission in Mark.

Mark presents Jesus as a suffering servant.  He reveals Him in complete humbleness and total obedience.  The genealogy of a servant or slave was not noteworthy of record in ancient times.  Genealogies were of great importance for inheritance rights (establishing legal claims, i.e. Messiah, Son of Man, Son of God in Jesus’ case), but a servant inherited little or nothing and anything received was a gift from his master…not based on his lineage.  Therefore, no genealogy is recorded in Mark.  The book of Mark does not focus on the Lord’s teachings, parables or revelations of divine truth, but instead illuminates His ministering works done in love for His Father and surrender to His will.

Mark 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark presents great pictures of the Lord’s works. And the book ends with a wonderful record of the Lord ascending to Heaven and his followers going forth into the world to serve Him by serving others.

In Summary

Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, the coming King.  Jesus’ genealogy is recorded from Abraham to Joseph, making Jesus a legal heir to the throne of David.

Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant, prophesied in Isaiah.  There is no genealogy provided because a slave’s genealogy was insignificant and not worthy of being recorded.

Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, a messianic title from the prophecy of Daniel. Luke presents Jesus as 100% man, a son of David.  The genealogy begins with Joseph, as the husband of Mary, and traces Jesus’ ancestry through Mary’s bloodline all the way back to the first man, Adam.

John presents Jesus as the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity.  Jesus’ genealogy is recorded as the eternal God, co-existant with God the Father from everlasting.

All of this was prophesied, more than a half a century earlier, by the prophet Micah:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little [Mark’s humble servant] among the thousands of Judah [Luke’s Son of Man from the Tribe of Judah], yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel [Matthew’s coming King]; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting [John’s Son of God].     (Micah 5:2)

<*}}}><

If our resources have blessed you, please consider supporting our ministry work. Make a $60.00 (or more) donation, and you will receive our newest book, "MISINTERPRETED." The book explores misunderstood and misapplied Bible verses and passages. Thank you for any support you can give!

Quick, Safe,Easy

donate

*******

Do You Know Jesus?

The Bible clearly states that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). It also emphasizes that while the wages of sin is death, God offers us the incredible gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, know that today is the day of salvation (Acts 28). Turn away from your sinful past and turn to Jesus. Remember, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Don’t wait—find hope and redemption!

*******

***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

In Case You Missed It:
Top Ten "Got Questions" in 2024

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  4. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  7. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  8. What are the FOUR Different PRESENTATIONS of Jesus in the Gospels?
  9. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  10. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?

2024's Top Ten "Words of Wisdom from the Cloud of Witnesses"

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. THE COMING PRINCE, by Sir Robert Anderson, 1894
  3. What's the Story Behind "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood by William Cowper
  4. "Immanuel" -- A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  5. Prayers from Billy Graham
  6. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  7. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. The Hound of Heaven, a poem by Francis Thompson (1859–1907)
  10. 40 Quotes from Frederick Buechner (1926-2022)

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

Reasons for Hope* Jesus video banner

2024's TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus

  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  6. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  7. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)
  8. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  9. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, performed by Casting Crowns

*****************

If our resources have blessed you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ministry work.

SubscribeNow!

The goal of Reasons for Hope* Jesus is to help you establish your heart and anchor your soul in Jesus, and renew your mind in His Word.

 

Get equipped with knowledge!

Be encouraged in hope!

Live empowered with love! 

You have Successfully Subscribed!