Joseph Not Jesus’ Father: There are two lineages for Jesus, recording the descendants of King David. The lineage recorded in Matthew takes us from David to Joseph, who was born in Bethlehem.
The lineage in Luke takes us from David to Mary, who was born in Nazareth. We know from Luke’s Gospel that Mary was unquestionably the mother of Jesus, but what about Joseph? The key to that mystery lies embedded in Matthew’s lineage.
Jesus Sits on the Throne of David
Who would sit on the throne of David, the throne of Israel forever? Isaiah in the Old Testament tells us that the Messiah would come and take that position:
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 )
Jesus the Messiah cannot come through Jehoiachin
From David on, God had a plan of succession for the Messiah. Matthew traces the family tree through the generations and in that account there is Jehoiachin, son of Josiah king of Judah. According to the genealogy in Matthew 1:12, Joseph is a descendant of Jehoiachin. But Jeconiah was cursed in Jeremiah 22:24 and 22:30:
As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. (Jeremiah 22:18)
This is what the LORD says: “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.” (Jeremiah 22:30)
Transgression severed the line
The transgressions against God severed any line to the throne. Because of that transgression, Jehoiachin was severed from consideration. From that point, Messiah would not come from his line.
But the line leading to Mary was free of any problems. The conclusion here is that Joseph could not have been the father of Jesus, the Messiah. Mary was obviously the mother, so she is the connection to the throne of David. The prophecy is fulfilled.
Joseph Not Jesus’ Father… Why does this matter?
So why does this matter? It is all about God laying down His plan of salvation. Every piece of the puzzle had to be in place. Jesus, fully man and at the same time fully God, had to be born of a virgin and without blemish. It was a special birth. God chose Mary to carry His son. It was not Joseph’s child, who had not yet married her when she conceived. They had not had any marital intimacy. It was all by God.
God is the father of Jesus, not Joseph. All prophecy is fulfilled and God’s edict about Jehoiachin also came to pass. Jesus is the promised Messiah and He will sit on the Throne of David for all time. Isn’t that WONDERFUL!