“THE BOOK OF THE GENERATION OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID, THE SON OF ABRAHAM” (MATTHEW 1:1). A RECOURSE TO OLD TESTAMENT GENEALOGIES
“THE BOOK OF THE GENERATION OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID, THE SON OF ABRAHAM” (MATTHEW 1:1). A RECOURSE TO OLD TESTAMENT GENEALOGIES

Summary/Abstract: Genealogy is one of the oldest auxiliary sciences of history, which can help us to understand the history in its complexity. It shows us that biological descent has always played a decisive role in preserving family heritage, religious beliefs and cultural traditions, implicitly that they could have had an influence in relation to other families or the whole community. Biblical genealogies are far from just lists of names, drained of the pathos of history. Being precisely the supporting structure of holy history, genealogical lists invite the reader to read the entire text of Holy Scripture and to discover its theological message. The two genealogies of the Savior Jesus Christ, in the Gospels according to Matthew 1, 1-16 and Luke 3, 23-38, show the reality of the Incarnation and the fulfillment of the prophetic words. The mystery of “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1, 1) can only be accessed by having the key to the prophetic message of the Old Testament: the hope of messianic expectation and the faith of salvation through the Holy One. That is why ancient history, which has Abraham and David as landmarks, is a holy history, and leads us to a better way of life, for which the Incarnate Son of God, Christ the Lord, is the perfect model.

• Details
• Contents