Jesus' Family Tree
Comparing Birth Stories Jesus' Family Tree Birth Reflection The Magi Baptism of Christ The Hidden Years Today's Tempations Reflection Activity Review Activity

 

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Jesus’ Family Tree

 Directions: Genealogies served the purpose of identifying who a person was by situating them in the context of who their ancestors were.  Close examination of the genealogies found in Matthew and Luke reveal differences.  Most scholars today would suggest that the reason for this is different theological interests.

Consult Matthew 1: 1-17. Use the footnotes to answer the following questions.

  1. Why is Jesus traced to David and Abraham?
  1. What women are named in Matthew’s genealogy? What do you know of their stories?
  1. How does Matthew divide his genealogy? What do you think would be the purpose of these divisions?

Consult Luke 3:23-38.  Use the footnotes to answer these questions.

  1. What obvious differences are there from Matthew’s genealogy?

 

 Reflection Questions

 1.     Why was it important for the Matthew and Luke to link Jesus to the great persons of Jewish history?

 2.     Why does this help us to understand who he was as messiah.