Matthew 1:18-25 vs Luke 2: contradictions?

Question

Someone please explain to me the contradictions in both books to do with Jesus' parentage. Joseph's father was not David but Jacob. Joseph and Mary were not married at the time of Caesar's census, they were PLEDGED to be married. Says so in Luke 2. So two people slept their way to Nazareth who were not married yet....

why couldn't God have chosen a married woman? Why pick on such a young girl to carry such a lifelong burden?

Answer 1

Isa. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.


The prophesy is a sign from God that a virgin will give birth to the Messiah in the house of David.


Christ was a son of David this is not disputed even by the Jews of his day.

Answer 2

First, Joseph was born in the family line of David, thus the geneology.

Second, Luke's gospel was written more from Mary's side of the story, most likely Luke's source was close with Mary and could therefore give a more detailed account of Mary's actions, thoughts, and feelings.

Third, when the census was ordered they went to Bethlehem, not Nazareth.

Fourth, your not God and neither am I, so how can we question the way God does things if we really can't understand his ways.

Another thing, women got married much younger in that culture and most had children before their twenties, someone of a modern/western mindset probably couldn't grasp this kind of thinking. Doesn't mean it's wrong, just different.

Answer 3

You need to understand the marriage process in those times. The parents actually signed the marriage contract before the two even met. Then they were considered married , by law, even tho they didnt know each other or hadnt met. The Bible tells us that Mary "knew not her husband until the child was born"...which means she didnt sleep with him til after Jesus birth. She went on to have other children, but none were the son of God except Jesus.

God chose a virgin for a reason. She was pure. And the fact that Jesus didnt have an earthly father, but a heavenly one, made Him the perfect 100% man, 100% God. She didnt feel "picked on", but HONORED that God would chose her to birth the Christ child.

Study will explain to you the issues you raised about Josephs father. Jesus was to come from the line of David.

Don't worry, you haven't come up with any question that stumps God. Hes heard them all.

www.graceteacher.com

Answer 4

I do not see any contradictions in those two scriptures. I can see where it could be confusing. In Luke 2 it states that Joseph was of the decedent of King David and in Mathew it states that his father is Jacob. In Mathew 1:6 is where King David is listed in the genealogy. It continues down Thur Jacob being the father of Joseph. So it is saying that King David is a distant relative of Joseph. Hope this helps!


Also on your guesting about why Mary? This is what I have found...


"Why is the Virgin Birth important to the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God's Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam, Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being, but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.
Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15,16). Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and he has the ability to help."

Answer 5

Back in Bible times they go by the lineage. David was the father for their lineage, and that is where they get David as father. He was the Patriarch for the family. Just like Abraham is the father of all nations. Another thing we just learned this in church. A man who wanted to marry a woman had to pay a dowry to her father. Then once he did he went home to his father's house and built on a room, and once the room was finished then he would go claim her for his wife. They were all ready betrothed to be married. The bride has to get ready, and so she never knows when her groom would come back to get her. God needed a woman who was a virgin to have Jesus. A married woman wouldn't have fulfilled the promise of Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Answer 6

Mainworry is absolutely correct.

Mary & Joseph were married, yes. In the very account you quote, Joseph is told....

Matthew 1:19 However, Joseph her husband, because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for that which has been begotten in her is by holy spirit.

Answer 7

Everyone else seems to have spoken pertaining to the genealogy, the custom in the Old Testament was when someone was "pledged' or betrothed to the other it was considered the same as marriage. In Deuteronomy, Moses explained that if someone violated the woman before the husband that the violator was under the same judgment as if she were a married woman.

Answer 8

Matthew gives Jesus' line through Joseph; Luke through Mary.

The pledge to be married was not like our "engagement" but rather it was a commitment to marry. It was the same as being married except for the dancing.

There's nothing to indicate that Joseph had sex with Mary on the way to Nazereth.

God chose Mary on the basis of her good character. She happened to not be married.

Answer 9

The contradictions are because of the following reason...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpBuqC5aAWQ&feature=related


Jesus Christ was born to a virgin mother because he was to a SIGN to the MANKIND....as mentined in the Quran...


Quran Sura 23. Al-Muminun
50
And We made the son of Maryam (Jesus) and his mother a sign for mankind, and gave them a shelter on a peaceful lofty ground, furnished with a fresh spring.

Quran 19 Sura Maryam
O Muhammad, relate to them the story of Mary in the Book (The Qur'an) when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.[16] She chose to be secluded from them. We sent to her Our angel and he appeared before her as a grown man.[17] She said: "I seek Rahman’s (Allah’s) protection against you, leave me alone if you are Godfearing."[18] He said: "Don’t be afraid, I am merely a messenger from your Lord to tell you about the gift of a holy son."[19] She said: "How shall I bear a son, no man has ever touched me nor am I unchaste?"[20] The angel replied: "So shall it be - Your Lord says: `It is easy for Me. We wish to make him a Sign for mankind and a blessing from Us’ - and this matter has already been decreed."

Answer 10

he chose her because she was a virgin. If she had been married, they would have already consummated the vows. God told Joseph not to "Not marry" her because she was still pure.
She had to be without sin. Sin is passed down through the males side, that is why she was impregnated by the holy ghost (GOD) Who is sin less. there for jesus was born without sin.