Mary and Joseph related?

[pastorables]

In studying the earthly lineage of Jesus Christ, there are two accounts of lineage that seem to contradict unless Mary and Joseph were possibly related? The accounts of lineage vary in Matthew and Luke.

Luke's gospel, being written for the Greeks, would not be as interested in the royal lineage of Christ, rather his true earthly lineage. In Luke's account of the genealogy of Christ, it is my opinion, that Luke traces Christ's ancestry through his mother, Mary. I say this because Luke only mentions Joseph to identify who Christ was. "As was supposed the son of Joseph," (3:23). The genealogy of Luke and the genealogy of Matthew agree exactly with the line between Abraham and David. From David to Mary in Luke, or from David to Joseph in Matthew, the lineage changes. Only three times do the two different accounts mention the same names, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel, and possibly Matthat (Matthan in Matthew). This can be explained very easily. Mary and Joseph were first cousins. Only in the twentieth century has this become a form of taboo.

Do you agree? Were Mary and Joseph first cousins?

pa

[DaJudge]

I've often wondered about that too. From what I understand, though, marriage between cousins was pretty common in those days.

[Gerald Creasy]

There's no possible way to state flatly they were first cousins.

It is possible that a Hebrew genealogy to skip one or more Generations (for instance, Bill could be called the son of TOM even if Tom was a great grandfather), unlike genalogies today.

It MAY have been possible for them to be any type of cousin,first on up and several times removed etc so on.

Another factor is the theory that ONE of the genalogies is for Joseph and the other is a genalogy of the man who replaced Joseph as Marys husband after Josephs disaperance from the scriptures (Assuming he died and assuming May married again and Jesus became his legal responsibility)
Not my theory, but a theory out there.

[deb]

Genesis 24 - Isaac and Rebekah were cousins.

[scooter]

From what I understand, though, marriage between cousins was pretty common in those days.

Response: It still is in some parts!

[DaJudge]

From what I understand, though, marriage between cousins was pretty common in those days.

Response: It still is in some parts!

Yes, but let us not talk about Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. (Oh, and don't forget West Virginia either).

[teach]

From what I understand, though, marriage between cousins was pretty common in those days.

Response: It still is in some parts!

Yes, but let us not talk about Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. (Oh, and don't forget West Virginia either).

Mississippi should so NOT be in that list!

wendy k

[DaJudge]

Mississippi should so NOT be in that list!

wendy k

I had a feeling that I'd hear from you on this topic.

[teach]

Mississippi should so NOT be in that list!

wendy k

I had a feeling that I'd hear from you on this topic.

well, you know me! Even though I live in TN now, MS will always be home!

wendy k

[dolfan]

From what I understand, though, marriage between cousins was pretty common in those days.

Response: It still is in some parts!

Yes, but let us not talk about Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. (Oh, and don't forget West Virginia either).

Mississippi should so NOT be in that list!

wendy k

Nor, Alabama. Code of Alabama (1975), §13A-13-3 makes it a Class C felony to knowingly marry or have intercourse with a cousin, a stepparent or stepchild, or anyone else within four degrees of consanguinity (that's blood relatives). Also, every state, all 50 that is, allow marriage to second cousins --- who are, incidentally, NOT within 4 degrees of consanguinity.

[TW]

Joseph and Mary were both from the House of David, and as such were related to some degree. How closely is all speculation. In order to fulfill prophecy Jesus would have to come from the House of David, and since Joseph is not his biological father his linage must be traceable through Mary. As has been stated, marriage between cousins was not uncommon in the Jewish culture at that time, and Gerald has a valid point on genealogy.


TW

[DaJudge]

Nor, Alabama. Code of Alabama (1975), §13A-13-3 makes it a Class C felony to knowingly marry or have intercourse with a cousin, a stepparent or stepchild, or anyone else within four degrees of consanguinity (that's blood relatives). Also, every state, all 50 that is, allow marriage to second cousins --- who are, incidentally, NOT within 4 degrees of consanguinity.

Them thar Alabamy kissin cousins don't care nothin about no book laws.

[Susie Hamilton]

here is the list
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/cousins.htm

[DaJudge]

For those with a lack of a sense of humor, I was kidding about the kissing cousins in Alabama, Arkansas, WV and Mississippi. My greatest apologies.

BTW, did you hear that they passed a new law recently in Alabama? Now, when an Alabama couple gets divorced, they're still brother and sister.

[dolfan]

None taken.

I hear tougher jokes about ME than that all the time.