Ten comparisons between Matthew and Luke's Geneaologies

Matthew 1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham

Luke 3:23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli

As we look at the records of Jesus' birth, one will immediately notice a difference in the geneaologies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.  Why is this important?  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that every Word of scripture, having been God breathed, is profitable.  Furthermore, knowing the reasons for certain scriptures can yield richer understandings of Christ, His purposes and our identity in Him.  With that said, let me just list ten comparisons between these two genealogies.  May you find them interesting and edifying for your Christian walk today:

Matthew's Geneaology                                   Luke's Geneaology
1. Ascending Geneaology - from               1. Descending Geneaology
Abraham to Jesus                                      from Jesus back to Adam

2. Purpose: Legal, to show Jesus             2. Biological, to show
as rightful heir to David's throne               Jesus as a true human
                                                                  being like Adam was

3. Focus: names descended from            3. Focus: names connected
Joseph's side of the Geneaology             to Mary's side of 
                                                                  the Geneaology

4. First mentioned before Jesus'              4. Mentioned after Jesus
public ministry                                          public ministry in Luke

5. 52 names, divided into 3 sets of 14     5. Over 70 names,
                                                                 sequential in order

6. David and Abraham are main names  6. Adam and Christ are
to show Jesus as fulfillment of both         main names to show Jesus
their covenants                                        as the New Adam

7. The geneaology is written for a           7. Written for a Gentile
Jewish audience                                     audience

8. The Holy Spirit is mentioned as          8. Holy Spirit mentioned as
the Agent of virgin birth conception        sign of His Messianic identity
fulfilling Messianic prophecy                   and Agent of virgin birth

9. He is God with us, who became man 9. He is fully man, who never
                                                                ceased being God

10. He is the True King who came to    10. He is the perfect man who
die for the sins of the people                 came to seek and save that
                                                               which was lost