Articles
Scripture read through its people and the lines between them
Who was Joseph of Arimathea? The man who buried Jesus, and whether he was family
A rich man, a member of the council and a disciple who kept it quiet, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. All four Gospels tell it, each adds a detail the others leave out, and none of them makes him family.
Who was Shem in the Bible? Noah’s son, and Abraham’s ancestor nine generations back
Shem is the son of Noah through whom Genesis traces the line to Abraham: eight names in Genesis 11, nine generations. Add up the ages the chapter gives and Shem is still alive when Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are born.
How Is Abner Related to Saul?
Abner is Saul’s cousin and the commander of his army, both of them Benjamites and grandsons of Abiel. He crowned Saul’s son, crossed to David, and died at the gate of Hebron — and his son ended up leading Saul’s tribe for David.
How Is Rahab Related to Jesus?
Rahab is the mother of Boaz, four generations above David and on Matthew’s list to Jesus. Joshua never says whom she married. Matthew does — and the husband’s family is the surprise.
How Is Absalom Related to David?
Absalom is David’s third son and Solomon’s older half-brother. He is not on Matthew’s list — yet every king of Judah after Rehoboam descends from him on the mother’s side, and the text says exactly how.
How Is Bathsheba Related to Jesus?
Bathsheba is the mother of Solomon, which puts her in the genealogy the New Testament opens with. Matthew has to include her and refuses to write her name — and Luke, taking a different son, goes through her as well.
How Is Lot Related to Abraham?
Lot is Abraham’s nephew: his father Haran was Abraham’s brother. The part worth staying for is what happens after they separate — both nations descended from Lot’s sons marry back into the line that runs to Jesus.
How Is Ruth Related to Jesus?
Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David, which puts her in the direct line to Jesus. The interesting part is not the chain itself. It is that Matthew went out of his way to name her.