Matthew describes Joseph as Mary’s husband, but not as Jesus’ father. This prepares us to hear about the fatherless
virgin birth (actually the birth of which God is the Father: Matthew 1:18–25). Mary is given greater place in this genealogy as Jesus’ mother, but Jesus’ royal lineage is traced through Joseph.
The description Joseph, the husband of Mary
is purposefully chosen. While affirming the juridical status of Jesus as the Son of David, Matthew avoids creating the impression that Joseph is his natural father. The wording therefore prepares the reader for the virgin birth as described in Matthew 1:18–25. In a Jewish genealogy the fathers are more important than the mothers. Yet Mary, a woman, deserves her place in this genealogy more than any male member of the human race.1
The reference to Joseph as Mary’s husband also makes it clear that the genealogy given here is not that of Mary but of Joseph, even while avoiding the impression that Joseph is the biological father of Jesus.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,