The Line of David

[Darth Fife]

Something has troubled me for quite sometime. Perhaps someone who is better versed in Biblical studies than myself could explain this paradox to me.

Christ is routinely referred to as a descendent of King David. In fact, one of the Gospels (Matthew, I think) begins with a genealogy of Jesus from Adam all the way down to Joseph. This fact is used as proof that he is the true Messiah as he the ancient texts said the Messiah would be of the House of David.

There is just one teensy little problem - if you believe in the Virgin Birth...

Joseph is not Jesus' biological father. Add to that the fact that, as far as we know of Mary, she was not of the House of David - or at least that was not stated, as far as I know.

Finally, Joseph and Mary were not married at the time of Jesus' birth!

So, how can Jesus be claimed to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the House of David if he is not, in reality, a descendent of the line of King David?

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, this is truly something I just have never understood.

Darth

[daidalos]

Something has troubled me for quite sometime. Perhaps someone who is better versed in Biblical studies than myself could explain this paradox to me.

Christ is routinely referred to as a descendent of King David. In fact, one of the Gospels (Matthew, I think) begins with a genealogy of Jesus from Adam all the way down to Joseph. This fact is used as proof that he is the true Messiah as he the ancient texts said the Messiah would be of the House of David.

There is just one teensy little problem - if you believe in the Virgin Birth...

Joseph is not Jesus' biological father. Add to that the fact that, as far as we know of Mary, she was not of the House of David - or at least that was not stated, as far as I know.

Finally, Joseph and Mary were not married at the time of Jesus' birth!

So, how can Jesus be claimed to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the House of David if he is not, in reality, a descendent of the line of King David?

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, this is truly something I just have never understood.

Darth

This is a common question amongst westerners. Where our lineage, runs through the Father.

In Judaism the lineage runs through the mother. Mary is the descendant of David fulfilling that prophecy, so I'm told.