Why is Joseph's lineage to David different than Mary's in the Gospel of Matthew?

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, there are two different genealogies presented for Jesus, both tracing his lineage back to King David. The genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph, while the genealogy in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:23-38) traces Jesus' lineage through Mary.

The differences between the two genealogies have been the subject of much scholarly discussion and debate. One possible explanation is that each genealogy serves a different theological or literary purpose:

Matthew's Genealogy: Matthew's Gospel was written primarily for a Jewish audience, and the genealogy presented in Matthew emphasizes Jesus' connection to the royal line of David, highlighting his fulfilment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. The genealogy in Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph, Jesus' legal father, highlighting Jesus' legal claim to the throne of David as his adopted son.

Luke's Genealogy: Luke's Gospel, on the other hand, was written for a broader, Gentile audience, and the genealogy presented in Luke emphasizes Jesus' universal mission and his connection to all humanity. The genealogy in Luke traces Jesus' lineage through Mary, Jesus' biological mother, highlighting Jesus' human lineage and emphasizing his solidarity with humanity.

It's also worth noting that ancient genealogies were often constructed with theological or symbolic significance in mind, rather than strict historical accuracy. Therefore, the differences between Matthew's and Luke's genealogies may reflect theological emphases or literary conventions rather than factual discrepancies.

Ultimately, both genealogies affirm Jesus' Davidic lineage and his identity as the long-awaited Messiah, each from a slightly different theological perspective.