Matthew 1:11

Jechonias. Here occurs the second certain omission in Matthew’s list (see on v. 8). Jechonias (Jehoiachin, 2 Kings 24:6, Jeconiah, 1 Chron. 3:16, or Coniah, Jer. 22:24) was actually the son of Jehoiakim and thus literally the grandson, not the son, of Josias (1 Chron. 3:15, 16). Some have suggested that the addition of Jehoiakim to the list would make a more symmetrical division of the generations mentioned in Matt. 1:17 (see comments there), and that Matthew may have originally included the name of Jehoiakim but that it was accidentally lost at a later time, owing to its similarity to Jehoiachin. There is some textual evidence (see p. 146) for inserting the name Jehoiakim between Josias and Jechonias.

His brethren. If Jehoiakim were included (see the foregoing under “Jechonias”), then the “brethren” would refer to actual blood brothers — Jehoahaz and Zedekiah (see on 1 Chron. 3:15). Otherwise, the expression “his brethren” would be true only in a loose sense. Three of the sons of Josias — Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah — reigned on the throne of Judah, but one was actually the father and the other two were uncles of Jechonias.

Carried away to Babylon. Thus closes the second division of Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (see on v. 17). The period covered deals with the monarchy from its golden age under David and Solomon down to its dissolution and the dark age of Jewish history — the Babylonian captivity.

Between David and Salathiel, Luke lists six more genealogical links than Matthew gives (see Luke 3:27-31). The taking into account of the four omissions by Matthew (see on v. 8 and the foregoing under “Jechonias”) leaves a difference of only two. These may simply indicate that the ancestral line followed by Luke contained two more generations than the royal line followed by Matthew. Such a difference is easily possible in a period of five centuries. Between David and Jesus — a period of about 1,000 years — Luke lists 15 more generations than does Matthew, implying further omission on the part of Matthew.