The Gospels according to Matthew and Luke each provide a listing of Jesus’ ancestors, but in a different order. Matthew’s genealogy (1:1-17) begins with Abraham and moves forward to Jesus. By listing the ancestors of Jesus, Matthew seeks to make clear that Jesus is from the family of King David and Abraham and that Jesus’ birth fulfills the Old Testament promise of a messianic king. Some prophets had said that the Messiah would come from David’s family (Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 33:15,16). King David was considered Israel’s greatest ruler. As a descendant of Abraham, Jesus continues God’s promise to Abraham that God will bless all the nations of the earth with life (Genesis 12:1-3). Luke’s genealogy (3:23-38) begins with Jesus and moves back to Adam and to God as a way of showing that Jesus is the Son of God.