A New Course of Study: Harmonize Matthew 1:1–17 with Luke 3:23–38

A New Course of Study for the Melchizedek Priesthood is under contemplation by the General Committee to include a text for the three higher quorums. It is to deal exhaustively with the subject to be considered, and which is not yet announced, and will be so written that the one book may serve the three quorums. However, for 1913, the Seventies will have a separate year book, but after that time will join the other quorums. Harmonize Matthew 1:1-17 with Luke 3:23-38. — A selection from lesson 4, note 3, Y. M. M. I. A. Manual, "Life of Christ," enters somewhat into detail on the question, and any Bible dictionary will give explanation: "Almost every student of scripture has observed, and perhaps been puzzled at, the apparent discrepancy between the two genealogies of Christ, in Matthew 1, and Luke 3. Indeed, this is one of the many objections raised by infidels against the authenticity of the scriptures. Hence, it is important that a key be given, whereby these apparent contradictions may be solved. According to some of the best authorities, this key is found in the Jewish law of adoption. When a man died, it was the law that his brother should marry his widow, and all children subsequently born should belong to the deceased brother. Also, if an older brother died childless, it was a custom for a son of a younger brother to be adopted as the heir of the older. Applying this law to the genealogy of Christ, and remarking further, 'that Luke gives his natural descent, and Matthew his royal descent, as heir of the throne of David, we have a key to all the discrepancies of importance. As an example: In Matthew, Joseph is spoken of as the son of Jacob; in Luke, as the son of Heli. Jacob and Heli were brothers. Jacob, the elder, was the father of Mary, and Heli the father of Joseph. Having no son, Jacob adopted Heli's son, Joseph, as his heir, and this adoption was confirmed by the marriage of Joseph to his cousin, Mary. In this way, the other discrepancies can be cleared away, and Jesus can be shown to be the natural descendant of David, and, by the law of adoption, heir to his throne. Since 70 A. D., when the Jews were dispersed by the Romans, they have kept no complete genealogical records; hence, no one who arises in the future and claims to be the Messiah, can trace his lineage to Judah. As the Christ was to be of that lineage, Jesus is the only one whose claim to the Messiahship has been, or can be, genealogically established." (For further information see the article, "Genealogy," in Kitto's Biblical Literature, or Smith's Dictionary of the' Bible.)