“Jacob fathered Joseph the father of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:16 REV)

It’s so easy to follow traditions that have been handed down over the years. However, when those traditions involve the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we should make sure it is based on truth. So, let’s examine Matthew’s account of the genealogy. First off, according to the majority of today’s teaching, there is a big problem. For there are supposed to be three sets of fourteen generations. However, if we add all the names mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy, we will see that there are not three sets of thirteen generations.

So, how can this be solved so that Matthew’s gospel would be true? Well, in the “Aramaic English New Testament,” the “Revised English Version,” as well as the “Cepher” version, we have Joseph being the “father” of Mary instead of being her husband as some translations say. And by adding both Mary and her father in the genealogy, we now have three sets of fourteen generations. Therefore, Luke’s account of the genealogy would make Joseph the literal son of Heli instead of the son-in-law that many translations proclaim. Therefore, this would mean that Mary’s father and husband both have the same name which wouldn’t be uncommon. For if we read through Luke’s genealogy account, there are others who are named “Joseph” as well.

Now, we must realize that there’s no distinct words for ether husband or wife in the Greek. It simply means a man or a woman. This would be true whether one is single or married. The only way to know how these words are being used is by the context of the passage itself. Therefore, one can be totally wrong by asserting that the passage in Matthew’s gospel is saying “Joseph the husband of Mary.” This would even be truer in light of the confusion surrounding the missing generation in Matthew’s account already covered above. Now, in the Aramaic language we do see that there is a distinct word for husband. And we see this word for husband being used in verse 19 but not in verse 16 of Matthew’s gospel. Therefore, the word used in verse 16 can mean one’s father or even a guardian. This clearly solves the confusion surrounding these two genealogies.

Below are a few bibles that do show that Joseph was not the husband of Mary in verse 16 of Matthew’s bible:

• “Ya’akov fathered Yosip, the guardian of Maryam, from whom was born Y’shua, who is called the Mashiyach.” (AENT)
• And Ya`aqov begat Yoceph the father of Miryam, of whom was born Yahusha, who is called Mashiach. (Cepher)
• “And Jocob fathered Joseph the father of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” (REV)

Below are the commentaries from two of the bible versions mentioned above:

• The Aramaic New Testament: The word gowra designates a protector-male or guardian; the context of this verse determines its specific meaning. Y’shua elsewhere says “which one of gowra, if he has a son…”; obviously “father” is intended. “Gowra” also applies to other forms of protector-male type relationships depending on the context, ... This means that the Yosip in verse 16 (the guardian or ... father of Miriyam (Mary) is not the same Yosip as the husband of Miriyam in verse 19. There is no reason for Matthew to use two different words for the same individual, whereas gowra sometimes means “husband” but can also mean “father”. The other term baalah can only mean “husband”. On the other hand, there would most definitely be a reason to differentiate two men named Yosip, one being the … father, the other the husband of Miriyam. With this differentiation we now have three full sets of 14 generations, which satisfies the demands of verse 17.
• Revised English Version: “father.” The Greek is anēr (#435 ἀνήρ), and means “an adult human male.” Anēr is generally assumed to mean “husband” in this verse, but that cannot be the case. For one thing, the list of the three sets of 14 generations that go from Abraham to Christ (vv. 2-16), makes this impossible. If Joseph is the husband of Mary, there would only be 13 generations in the last list of “14 generations.” Also, the Aramaic text reads differently in this verse than it does in verse 19, and in verse 19 Joseph is unmistakably referred to as the “husband” of Mary. The difference in the vocabulary indicates a difference in the relationship. …The Gospel of Matthew contains the genealogy from David to Jesus via his mother Mary. In contrast, the Gospel of Luke contains the genealogy from David to Jesus via his adopted father, Joseph.

Below are some videos that show that Joseph in Matthew's account is about her father, and not her husband:

• Jesus Lineage Mystery Solved
• Joseph, the Father of Mary (Hebrew Matthew 1:16)

Now, we must be aware that false interpretations can easily sneak into our churches over the years. So, it’s our duty as Christians to always test those things that are being taught. Therefore, I encourage you to: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Yes, test all thing and be like those Bereans, for: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11 KJV) Yes, test all thing my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This would be true whether it’s coming from the pulpit or from an article such as this one.

So, open up your own bible and test what’s being said. Pray always that the Holy Spirit would help you discern between truth and error. For Jesus said: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV) And let’s remember what John the apostle said: “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:26-27 KJV) So again, pray always for discernment my fellow Christians. For truth does matter.

May God bless you as you seek to do His will. Amen.

Note: Bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist in your study on God’s word:

• REV = Revised English Version
• AENT = Aramaic English New Testament
• KJV = King James Version
• Cepher = Cepher Millennium Edition
• ESV = English Standard Version

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“Now there was a rich man and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making good cheer in splendor every day. And there was a poor man, by name Lazarus, who was laid at his gateway full of sores, and desiring to be filled with the crumbs which fell from the table of the rich man; but the dogs also coming licked his sores.” (Luke 16:19-21 DBY)

Just saying something meaningless that has no real value would be unfruitful and unproductive. So, when Jesus spoke of the rich man and Lazarus, would he just be throwing out some random name in a parable that’s not true? For Jesus himself said: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV) Therefore, wouldn’t this be not just some parable that Jesus spoke, but an actual event that did happen? I say this because Jesus is mentioning someone by name which we’ve never see happening in any of his parables.

Now, if you read through that same passage mentioned above, you would notice that Lazarus above both died and was being comforted in the arms of Abraham. Therefore, it's highly possible that this is Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus who both died and was raised from the dead? I say this because the “rich man” who was suffering in hell was asking that Lazarus would be sent back in order that his brothers would be warned about hell. For we read: “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27-28 KJV) And wasn’t Lazarus raised from the dead? And could be possible that the rich man’s brothers heard what happened?

Now, if this is about Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus, we shouldn’t view him some common beggar. For the majority of translations don’t use the word “beggar,” but they use the word “poor” instead. For even some of the disciples of Jesus were not wealthy but poor. For we read: “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20 ESV) Even Paul the apostle acknowledged that there are Christians (including himself) who are lacking in goods and are poor. (see 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 ESV) Also, James says: “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5 ESV)

And let’s not forget that even our Lord Jesus Christ was viewed as being poor, for we read: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NET)

Below are other verses concerning those who are poor:

• “Now when John heard in prison about the deeds Christ had done, he sent his disciples to ask a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them”.” (Matthew 11:2-5 NET)
• “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on”.” (Mark 12:42-44 NASB95)
• “So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me”.” (Luke 7:22-23 NIV)
• “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26 KJV)
• “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? (James 2:1-6 NKJV)

So, that all be said, Lazarus could have been viewed as being poor according to this world’s standards. This may have been the case with his two sisters, Mary and Martha as well. And thus, falling into some sickness and no longer being able to provide for himself, he could have been laid at the gate of a wealthy man. This with the hope that this wealthy man would show mercy and provide food and medical help for him. However, we know that he didn’t. Now, even though Lazarus did desire that the rich man would help him, he may not have begged as some normally would. For King David said: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25 ESV) And yes, we know that Lazarus was not forsaken, for he was raised back to life as well.

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:22-24 KJV)

Now, as we already have read above, the rich man was asking Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers not to make the same mistake he did. And we know that Abraham wasn’t convinced that this would change their hearts. However, we know that God always has the last say in all things. So, couldn’t it be possible that God granted the rich man’s passionate cry? For we do read: “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:41-44 KJV)

So, we have the account of the “rich man and Lazarus” which I believe is not just some parable at all, but an actual event that took place. And this would make both accounts in Luke and John’s gospel about Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment in the home page comment section.

Below is a passage of scripture that supports what was mentioned above:

• “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ... Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. ... Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. ... These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. ... Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:1, 3, 5-6, 11, 13-14 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his will. Amen

Note: Bible versions used in this article are listed below to aid you in your study of God’s word:

• DBY = Darby’s translation of the bible.
• KJV = King James Version
• ESV = English Standard Version
• NET = New English Translation
• New American Standard Bible, 1995 edition
• NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

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