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Answer: It should be noted that the Gospel of Matthew
sets the precedent for presenting a genealogy of Jesus
that goes through Joseph. Incidentally, this genealogy
goes through a line (Jehoiakim) that is disqualified
for kingship. Therefore, it is not surprising that Luke's
genealogical list also gives a genealogy (much different
from that given by Matthew), which is supposedly that
of Joseph.
The Gospel of Luke provides a variant tradition concerning
Jesus' ancestry. In the literal Greek of its genealogical
listing "Joseph of the Heli" (Luke 3:23) is just another
way of saying "Joseph son of Heli."
Some Christian commentators have claimed that Luke
gives Mary's genealogy. Accordingly, it is proposed
that Heli is the father-in-law of Joseph, that is, Heli
is the name of Mary's father. There is no genealogical
record, in either the Jewish Bible or the New Testament,
which refers to a man as the son of his father-in-law.
There is no verse in the New Testament that says Mary
is the daughter of Heli.
To presume that Mary was of Davidic descent presents
the problem that Mary could not pass on what she did
not possess: (1) Maternal connection does not enter
into consideration for succession to the throne of David
which is passed on only through a continuous male line:
"There shall not be cut off from David a man to sit
upon the throne of the house of Israel" (Jeremiah 33:17);
(2) Biblically, the right of lineal privilege, that
is, kingship and priesthood, are exclusively passed
on through the male line. The incident regarding the
inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers,
chapters 27 and 36) does not apply here since it concerns
the transference of physical property and not privileges
of lineage.
Considering Luke's genealogical list, neither Joseph
nor Mary could claim an inheritance to the throne of
David through Heli. Heli and his progeny would be disqualified
in regard to the Davidic kingship if he were a descendant
of Nathan. Of all the son's of David, God chose Solomon
to sit on the throne of Israel (1 Chronicles 29:1, 1
Kings 2:24).
Whether through Joseph or Mary, Jesus is disqualified
from the messianic office. |
