The promised Christ or Messiah of the Old Testament, according to the Old Testament prophecies, would be a descendant of Abraham and a descendant of King David.
In Genesis, it says:
I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and on My account hast not spared thy beloved son, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is by the shore of the sea, and thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) shall inherit the cities of their enemies (Greek, tas poleis ton hupenantion, the cities of the enemies). And in thy seed (Greek, en toi spermatoi sou) shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed, because thou hast hearkened to My voice. (Gen. 22:16-18, LXX)
The Greek word for seed is sperma. In every instance in this passage from Genesis, the singular form of sperma is used. In the first and second instances, the nominative and accusative singular forms of this word are used. These forms for this word are identical in the Greek language. In the last instance, the dative singular form of the word is used.
This prophecy is about a single individual who will be a descendant of Abraham. God has promised to multiply this single individual so that His offspring and posterity are as many as the stars in the universe and the sand on the shore of the sea. This means that this person's posterity will be in the billions of billions and quite probably much more. He will inherit "the cities of the enemies." In the above text, Thomas Brenton translated the Greek to say, "and thy seed shall inherit the cities of their enemies," but the literal Greek is: "and thy seed shall inherit the cities of the enemies." It says tas poleis ton hupenantion (the cities of the enemies) and not tas poleis ton hupenantion auton (the cities of their enemies) in the Greek text. So, this prophecy is about a single individual who is a descendant of Abraham and who will inherit the cities of His enemies.
Abraham had a son by Hagar. His name is Ishmael. He never inherited the cities of his enemies. He also had a son by Sarah. His name is Isaac. He, likewise, never inherited the seed of his enemies. He also had sons by Keturah, but none of them ever inherited the cities of their enemies.
In the Second Psalm, it says:
But I have been made King by Him on Sion His holy mountain, declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to Me, Thou art My Son, today have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel. (Psalm 2:6-9, LXX)
This passage is about a single individual who will govern the entire world. It is a prophecy. It does not refer to King David. He had a great kingdom, but it did not extend to the ends of the Earth. He never governed any territory in Africa, Europe, the British Isles, the Americas, Australia, Antarctica, Eastern Asia, or Central Asia. His kingdom was confined to the Middle East. Likewise, his son Solomon had a great kingdom, but it never extended to "the ends of the Earth."
The prophecy in the Second Psalm is about the same individual spoke of in Genesis 22.
In the Book of Daniel, it says:
And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and His kingdom shall not be left to another people, but it shall beat to pieces and grind to powder all other kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Dan. 3:44, LXX; Dan. 2:44, Hebrew)
This is also a prophecy about a single individual who will govern the entire world.
In Isaiah, it says:
For a Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, whose government is upon His shoulder: and His name is called the Messenger of Great Counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty One, Potentate, Prince of Peace, Father of the Age to Come: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to Him. His government shall be great, and of His peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth and forever. The seal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this. (Isaiah 9:6,7, LXX, Alexandrian text)
This prophecy is about a single individual who would be born. He, therefore, would be human. He would also be a descendant of King David and He would have an eternal kingdom. He would never cease being a king. David, his son Solomon, his grandson Rehoboam, and others have ceased being kings. They have died.
In Ecclesiasticus, it says:
And he that is today a king tomorrow shall die. For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms. (Ecclesiasticus 10:10,11)
There have been plenty of kings who have died and "inherited creeping things, beasts, and worms." This king, however, would have health and would rule forever over His kingdom. He would not "inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms," like so many who have died have done.
The prophecy in Genesis 22 also says that all the nations of the Earth will be blessed in this single individual. This, of course, could not have been referring to Ishmael, Isaac, Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, or Shua — each of whom is a son of Abraham. This is referring to that single individual who would be a descendant of Abraham and would inherit the cities of His enemies.
God promised to King David a descendant who would reign forever.
And it shall come to pass when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) after thee, which shall be of thy bowels (Greek, koilia, belly or womb), and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will set up His throne for ever. (I Chronicles 17:11,12, LXX)
In the 88th Psalm, God made the same promise to King David.
Once have I sworn by My holiness, that I will not lie to David. His seed (Greek, to sperma autou) shall endure for ever, and His throne as the sun before Me; and as the moon that is established for ever, and as the faithful witness in heaven. (Psalm 88:35-37, LXX)
He said that a single individual who would be a descendant of King David would live forever and reign forever.
In the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the genealogy of Joseph is given.
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (St. Matthew 1:1-16)
In the very first verse of this Gospel, it says that Jesus Christ is "the Son of David, the son of Abraham." His genealogy through His mother Mary could be traced all the way back to King David and even all the way back to Abraham. Those records existed back in the first century, but we do not have them today. All of the genealogy of Jesus Christ beginning with Abraham and going up to King David we can confidently say is His biological genealogy. After King David, we have the lineage of Joseph who was His stepfather, but not His biological father. His mother Mary conceived Jesus without ever having received into her body the semen of a man. This is what the Evangelists Matthew and Luke both record. In St. Matthew's Gospel, it says:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn Son: and he called His name JESUS. (St. Matt. 1:18-25)
According to Church tradition, Mary's parents took her to the Temple in Jerusalem when she was three years old. She lived there for twelve years. When she was 15, she had to become espoused to a man like the other virgins who lived in the Temple were required to do. While she was growing up in the Temple, she took a vow of perpetual chastity. She became espoused to Joseph who was much older than she and who, according the tradition in the East, was a widower. He had had children by his previous wife, but, according to Church tradition, he never had any biological children by Mary.
There is evidence in the Gospel according to St. Luke that suggests that the tradition regarding Mary taking a vow of perpetual chastity is, in fact, true.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (St. Luke 1:26-34)
Notice that in this account, the Virgin Mary was already espoused to Joseph. She was engaged to marry him. The angel told the Virgin that she was going to become pregnant and give birth to a Son whom she would name Jesus. She asked the angel a question, "How can this be, seeing I know not a man?" Our Lady was fifteen years old and engaged to be married. I would think that someone — one of her parents or a priest or a priest's wife — would have had a talk with her about "the birds and the bees" before she became betrothed to Joseph. I think that she would have already known how women become pregnant. Apparently, she did. She knew that a man must be involved in impregnating her if she were to become pregnant. She said to the angel, "I know not a man." However, she was already betrothed to a man, Joseph. The common sense answer to her question would be: "You will become pregnant by Joseph and you two will have a baby that you will name Jesus." Why would a woman who is engaged to get married ask such a question? The reason why she asked the question is because she had already taken a vow of perpetual chastity. She had decided that she was not going to ever have sex with any man at all — not even with her future husband Joseph. She knew that it takes a man to get a woman pregnant and the angel had just told her that she was going to become pregnant. The angel's answer was:
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (St. Luke 1:35)
The angel told the Virgin that the Lord God would give unto her Son the throne of His father David. (St. Luke 1:32) Once again, we see that, although Jesus is not the biological Child of Joseph, He is still a biological descendant of King David. St. Paul, in two of his epistles, said that Jesus is a descendant of David.
Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. (Rom. 1:3)
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. (II Tim. 2:8)
So, Jesus is a descendant of King David, but He is not a descendant of King David through Joseph. His biological descent to King David is through His Ever-Virgin Mother Mary who conceived Him without the semen of a man and by the Holy Spirit.
According to Church tradition, both of Mary's parents were descendants of King David.
Jesus never denied that He is the Christ. In St. Matthew's Gospel, we can read:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in Heaven. (St. Matt. 16:13-17)
He did, however, tell His disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Christ (St. Matt. 16:20), but that was only for a short period of time. After His ascension into Heaven and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they openly proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 2:36; 3:17-21; 4:10)
When Jesus was on trial before the high priest, He was asked if He is the Christ.
But Jesus held His peace. And the high priest answered and said unto Him, I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (St. Matt. 26:63)
His answer was:
Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven. (St. Matt. 26:64)
St. John the Baptist was asked the same question by the Jews when he was baptizing people.
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (St. John 1:19,20)
St. John told them, "I am not the Christ." Jesus, when asked this question, said, "Thou hast said." When He said, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven," He was saying that He is the fulfillment of certain prophecies of Christ found in the Old Testament. In the 109th Psalm, it says:
The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. (Psalm 109:1, LXX)
Here, it says that the Christ (or Messiah) would sit on God's right hand. The other prophetic reference is in the Book of Daniel.
I beheld in the night vision, and, lo, one coming with the clouds of Heaven as the Son of Man, and He came on to the Ancient of days, and was brought near to Him. And to Him was given the dominion, and the honour, and the kingdom; and all nations, tribes, and languages, shall serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. (Dan. 8:13,14, LXX; Dan. 7:13,14, Hebrew)
Here, it says that the Christ would come "with the clouds of Heaven" and receive an eternal kingdom that will last forever. This is talking about the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the world. So, Jesus did not deny that He is the Christ. He even claimed to be the fulfillment of prophecies pertaining to the Christ.
It was common knowledge in the first century that the Christ would be a descendant of King David.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? They say unto Him, The Son of David. (St. Matt. 22:41,42)
So, Jesus believed that He is the Christ and that He is a biological descendant of King David. He also believed that God was His Father. He claimed to have come from God and He claimed that His Father is God.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. (St. John 8:43)
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. (St. John 16:28)
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (St. John 5:17,18)
All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. (St. Matt. 11:27)
When He was twelve years old, He even spoke of God as being His Father to His mother Mary and His stepfather Joseph.
And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business? (St. Luke 2:48,49)
Not all of King David's descendants were eligible to inherit his throne and assume the role of the Christ. In the Book of Jeremiah, it says:
Jechonias is dishonoured as a good-for-nothing vessel; for he is thrown out and cast forth into a land which he knew not. Land, land, hear the word of the Lord. Write ye this man an outcast: for there shall none of his seed at all grow up to sit on the throne of David, or as a prince yet in Juda. (Jer. 22:28-30, LXX)
In the Hebrew version of Jeremiah Jechonias is called Coniah. In Second Kings, it says:
And Joakim slept with his fathers: and Joachim his son reigned in his stead. (II Kings 24:6, LXX)
Here, Joakim's son is called Joachim. In Jeremiah, this same person is called Jechonias.
As I live, saith the Lord, though Jechonias son of Joakim King of Juda were indeed the seal upon My right hand, thence would I pluck thee. (Jer. 22:24, LXX)
So then, none of the posterity of Jechonias (or Joachim) are allowed to assume King David's throne. None of them are eligible to be the Christ. The Archangel Gabriel had already told the Virgin Mary that her Son would have the throne of His father David. (St. Luke 1:32) Jesus, apparently then, was a descendant of King David, but He was not a descendant of King Jechonias (or Joachim).
Joseph, on the other hand, was a biological descendant of King Jechonias. In his biological genealogy, it says:
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel. (St. Matt. 1:11,12)
In Second Kings, it says:
And Pharao Nechao made Eliakim son of Josias king of Juda king over them in the place of his father Josias, and he changed his name to Joakim, and he took Joachaz and brought him to Egypt, and he died there. (II Kings 23:34, LXX)
Josias' son is Joakim. Joakim's son is Jechonias. For brevity's sake, the apostle omitted Joakim's name from Joseph's genealogy. Since God has forbidden all of the descendants of King Jechonias to assume the throne of King David and Joseph is a biological descendant of King Jechonias, none of Joseph's biological children could ever reign as king on the throne of David.
It has already been shown that Jesus believed that He is the Christ. It has also been shown that He claimed to have come from God (and to even be God). St. Matthew and St. Luke both taught that the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus were the biological child of Joseph, then He would be a biological descendant of King Jechonias. He, therefore, could not be the Christ that He claimed to be.
There is, however, an abundant amount of evidence in the Gospels that indicate that He is the Christ.
The Jews, today, are still looking for the Messiah. If someone today were to claim to be the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, how can they possibly be certain that he is? They have no way of verifying that he is a biological descendant of King David and not a biological descendant of King Jechonias since the genealogical records that we have today do not go far enough back to verify the bloodline. The only Person who can legitimately make the claim of being the Christ is someone whose genealogy could have been verified in ancient times when the records were being kept.
I have written about the genealogy given in the Gospel according to St. Matthew in this blog. In the next blog, I will write about the genealogy given in St. Luke's Gospel.
Steve
In Genesis, it says:
I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and on My account hast not spared thy beloved son, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is by the shore of the sea, and thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) shall inherit the cities of their enemies (Greek, tas poleis ton hupenantion, the cities of the enemies). And in thy seed (Greek, en toi spermatoi sou) shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed, because thou hast hearkened to My voice. (Gen. 22:16-18, LXX)
The Greek word for seed is sperma. In every instance in this passage from Genesis, the singular form of sperma is used. In the first and second instances, the nominative and accusative singular forms of this word are used. These forms for this word are identical in the Greek language. In the last instance, the dative singular form of the word is used.
This prophecy is about a single individual who will be a descendant of Abraham. God has promised to multiply this single individual so that His offspring and posterity are as many as the stars in the universe and the sand on the shore of the sea. This means that this person's posterity will be in the billions of billions and quite probably much more. He will inherit "the cities of the enemies." In the above text, Thomas Brenton translated the Greek to say, "and thy seed shall inherit the cities of their enemies," but the literal Greek is: "and thy seed shall inherit the cities of the enemies." It says tas poleis ton hupenantion (the cities of the enemies) and not tas poleis ton hupenantion auton (the cities of their enemies) in the Greek text. So, this prophecy is about a single individual who is a descendant of Abraham and who will inherit the cities of His enemies.
Abraham had a son by Hagar. His name is Ishmael. He never inherited the cities of his enemies. He also had a son by Sarah. His name is Isaac. He, likewise, never inherited the seed of his enemies. He also had sons by Keturah, but none of them ever inherited the cities of their enemies.
In the Second Psalm, it says:
But I have been made King by Him on Sion His holy mountain, declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to Me, Thou art My Son, today have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel. (Psalm 2:6-9, LXX)
This passage is about a single individual who will govern the entire world. It is a prophecy. It does not refer to King David. He had a great kingdom, but it did not extend to the ends of the Earth. He never governed any territory in Africa, Europe, the British Isles, the Americas, Australia, Antarctica, Eastern Asia, or Central Asia. His kingdom was confined to the Middle East. Likewise, his son Solomon had a great kingdom, but it never extended to "the ends of the Earth."
The prophecy in the Second Psalm is about the same individual spoke of in Genesis 22.
In the Book of Daniel, it says:
And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and His kingdom shall not be left to another people, but it shall beat to pieces and grind to powder all other kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Dan. 3:44, LXX; Dan. 2:44, Hebrew)
This is also a prophecy about a single individual who will govern the entire world.
In Isaiah, it says:
For a Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, whose government is upon His shoulder: and His name is called the Messenger of Great Counsel, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty One, Potentate, Prince of Peace, Father of the Age to Come: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to Him. His government shall be great, and of His peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth and forever. The seal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this. (Isaiah 9:6,7, LXX, Alexandrian text)
This prophecy is about a single individual who would be born. He, therefore, would be human. He would also be a descendant of King David and He would have an eternal kingdom. He would never cease being a king. David, his son Solomon, his grandson Rehoboam, and others have ceased being kings. They have died.
In Ecclesiasticus, it says:
And he that is today a king tomorrow shall die. For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms. (Ecclesiasticus 10:10,11)
There have been plenty of kings who have died and "inherited creeping things, beasts, and worms." This king, however, would have health and would rule forever over His kingdom. He would not "inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms," like so many who have died have done.
The prophecy in Genesis 22 also says that all the nations of the Earth will be blessed in this single individual. This, of course, could not have been referring to Ishmael, Isaac, Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, or Shua — each of whom is a son of Abraham. This is referring to that single individual who would be a descendant of Abraham and would inherit the cities of His enemies.
God promised to King David a descendant who would reign forever.
And it shall come to pass when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed (Greek, to sperma sou) after thee, which shall be of thy bowels (Greek, koilia, belly or womb), and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will set up His throne for ever. (I Chronicles 17:11,12, LXX)
In the 88th Psalm, God made the same promise to King David.
Once have I sworn by My holiness, that I will not lie to David. His seed (Greek, to sperma autou) shall endure for ever, and His throne as the sun before Me; and as the moon that is established for ever, and as the faithful witness in heaven. (Psalm 88:35-37, LXX)
He said that a single individual who would be a descendant of King David would live forever and reign forever.
In the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the genealogy of Joseph is given.
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (St. Matthew 1:1-16)
In the very first verse of this Gospel, it says that Jesus Christ is "the Son of David, the son of Abraham." His genealogy through His mother Mary could be traced all the way back to King David and even all the way back to Abraham. Those records existed back in the first century, but we do not have them today. All of the genealogy of Jesus Christ beginning with Abraham and going up to King David we can confidently say is His biological genealogy. After King David, we have the lineage of Joseph who was His stepfather, but not His biological father. His mother Mary conceived Jesus without ever having received into her body the semen of a man. This is what the Evangelists Matthew and Luke both record. In St. Matthew's Gospel, it says:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn Son: and he called His name JESUS. (St. Matt. 1:18-25)
According to Church tradition, Mary's parents took her to the Temple in Jerusalem when she was three years old. She lived there for twelve years. When she was 15, she had to become espoused to a man like the other virgins who lived in the Temple were required to do. While she was growing up in the Temple, she took a vow of perpetual chastity. She became espoused to Joseph who was much older than she and who, according the tradition in the East, was a widower. He had had children by his previous wife, but, according to Church tradition, he never had any biological children by Mary.
There is evidence in the Gospel according to St. Luke that suggests that the tradition regarding Mary taking a vow of perpetual chastity is, in fact, true.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (St. Luke 1:26-34)
Notice that in this account, the Virgin Mary was already espoused to Joseph. She was engaged to marry him. The angel told the Virgin that she was going to become pregnant and give birth to a Son whom she would name Jesus. She asked the angel a question, "How can this be, seeing I know not a man?" Our Lady was fifteen years old and engaged to be married. I would think that someone — one of her parents or a priest or a priest's wife — would have had a talk with her about "the birds and the bees" before she became betrothed to Joseph. I think that she would have already known how women become pregnant. Apparently, she did. She knew that a man must be involved in impregnating her if she were to become pregnant. She said to the angel, "I know not a man." However, she was already betrothed to a man, Joseph. The common sense answer to her question would be: "You will become pregnant by Joseph and you two will have a baby that you will name Jesus." Why would a woman who is engaged to get married ask such a question? The reason why she asked the question is because she had already taken a vow of perpetual chastity. She had decided that she was not going to ever have sex with any man at all — not even with her future husband Joseph. She knew that it takes a man to get a woman pregnant and the angel had just told her that she was going to become pregnant. The angel's answer was:
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (St. Luke 1:35)
The angel told the Virgin that the Lord God would give unto her Son the throne of His father David. (St. Luke 1:32) Once again, we see that, although Jesus is not the biological Child of Joseph, He is still a biological descendant of King David. St. Paul, in two of his epistles, said that Jesus is a descendant of David.
Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. (Rom. 1:3)
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. (II Tim. 2:8)
So, Jesus is a descendant of King David, but He is not a descendant of King David through Joseph. His biological descent to King David is through His Ever-Virgin Mother Mary who conceived Him without the semen of a man and by the Holy Spirit.
According to Church tradition, both of Mary's parents were descendants of King David.
Jesus never denied that He is the Christ. In St. Matthew's Gospel, we can read:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in Heaven. (St. Matt. 16:13-17)
He did, however, tell His disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Christ (St. Matt. 16:20), but that was only for a short period of time. After His ascension into Heaven and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they openly proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 2:36; 3:17-21; 4:10)
When Jesus was on trial before the high priest, He was asked if He is the Christ.
But Jesus held His peace. And the high priest answered and said unto Him, I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (St. Matt. 26:63)
His answer was:
Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven. (St. Matt. 26:64)
St. John the Baptist was asked the same question by the Jews when he was baptizing people.
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (St. John 1:19,20)
St. John told them, "I am not the Christ." Jesus, when asked this question, said, "Thou hast said." When He said, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven," He was saying that He is the fulfillment of certain prophecies of Christ found in the Old Testament. In the 109th Psalm, it says:
The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. (Psalm 109:1, LXX)
Here, it says that the Christ (or Messiah) would sit on God's right hand. The other prophetic reference is in the Book of Daniel.
I beheld in the night vision, and, lo, one coming with the clouds of Heaven as the Son of Man, and He came on to the Ancient of days, and was brought near to Him. And to Him was given the dominion, and the honour, and the kingdom; and all nations, tribes, and languages, shall serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. (Dan. 8:13,14, LXX; Dan. 7:13,14, Hebrew)
Here, it says that the Christ would come "with the clouds of Heaven" and receive an eternal kingdom that will last forever. This is talking about the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the world. So, Jesus did not deny that He is the Christ. He even claimed to be the fulfillment of prophecies pertaining to the Christ.
It was common knowledge in the first century that the Christ would be a descendant of King David.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? They say unto Him, The Son of David. (St. Matt. 22:41,42)
So, Jesus believed that He is the Christ and that He is a biological descendant of King David. He also believed that God was His Father. He claimed to have come from God and He claimed that His Father is God.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. (St. John 8:43)
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. (St. John 16:28)
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (St. John 5:17,18)
All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. (St. Matt. 11:27)
When He was twelve years old, He even spoke of God as being His Father to His mother Mary and His stepfather Joseph.
And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business? (St. Luke 2:48,49)
Not all of King David's descendants were eligible to inherit his throne and assume the role of the Christ. In the Book of Jeremiah, it says:
Jechonias is dishonoured as a good-for-nothing vessel; for he is thrown out and cast forth into a land which he knew not. Land, land, hear the word of the Lord. Write ye this man an outcast: for there shall none of his seed at all grow up to sit on the throne of David, or as a prince yet in Juda. (Jer. 22:28-30, LXX)
In the Hebrew version of Jeremiah Jechonias is called Coniah. In Second Kings, it says:
And Joakim slept with his fathers: and Joachim his son reigned in his stead. (II Kings 24:6, LXX)
Here, Joakim's son is called Joachim. In Jeremiah, this same person is called Jechonias.
As I live, saith the Lord, though Jechonias son of Joakim King of Juda were indeed the seal upon My right hand, thence would I pluck thee. (Jer. 22:24, LXX)
So then, none of the posterity of Jechonias (or Joachim) are allowed to assume King David's throne. None of them are eligible to be the Christ. The Archangel Gabriel had already told the Virgin Mary that her Son would have the throne of His father David. (St. Luke 1:32) Jesus, apparently then, was a descendant of King David, but He was not a descendant of King Jechonias (or Joachim).
Joseph, on the other hand, was a biological descendant of King Jechonias. In his biological genealogy, it says:
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel. (St. Matt. 1:11,12)
In Second Kings, it says:
And Pharao Nechao made Eliakim son of Josias king of Juda king over them in the place of his father Josias, and he changed his name to Joakim, and he took Joachaz and brought him to Egypt, and he died there. (II Kings 23:34, LXX)
Josias' son is Joakim. Joakim's son is Jechonias. For brevity's sake, the apostle omitted Joakim's name from Joseph's genealogy. Since God has forbidden all of the descendants of King Jechonias to assume the throne of King David and Joseph is a biological descendant of King Jechonias, none of Joseph's biological children could ever reign as king on the throne of David.
It has already been shown that Jesus believed that He is the Christ. It has also been shown that He claimed to have come from God (and to even be God). St. Matthew and St. Luke both taught that the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus were the biological child of Joseph, then He would be a biological descendant of King Jechonias. He, therefore, could not be the Christ that He claimed to be.
There is, however, an abundant amount of evidence in the Gospels that indicate that He is the Christ.
The Jews, today, are still looking for the Messiah. If someone today were to claim to be the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, how can they possibly be certain that he is? They have no way of verifying that he is a biological descendant of King David and not a biological descendant of King Jechonias since the genealogical records that we have today do not go far enough back to verify the bloodline. The only Person who can legitimately make the claim of being the Christ is someone whose genealogy could have been verified in ancient times when the records were being kept.
I have written about the genealogy given in the Gospel according to St. Matthew in this blog. In the next blog, I will write about the genealogy given in St. Luke's Gospel.
Steve
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