51. In what sense can the Jesus family tree be regarded as descended from David?

You will notice that there is a divergence in the lists of his ancestors, as given by Matthew and Luke. Matthew gives Joseph's father as Jacob (Matt. 1:16). Luke says (Luke 3:23) his father was Heli.

We cannot think that either was mistaken. It is suggested with some plausibility that Heli was Mary's father, and Joseph was really his son-in-law, not his son.

The Jews followed the genealogy in the male line, which may account for Joseph's name being inserted instead of Mary's. If that is the explanation it is Mary's ancestry which Luke gives.

Her accompany­ing Joseph to Bethlehem to be counted seems to imply that, like Jo­seph, she could claim descent from David.