Why is Joseph included in Jesus' genealogy?
Joseph is included in Jesus’ genealogy because he served as Jesus’ legal father, not His physical father. While Mary was the physical mother and God was the Father, Joseph’s legal paternity linked Jesus to the Davidic royal line, fulfilling the promise that Christ would come through David’s house.
Les explains that God promised David in 2 Samuel 7 that through him would come a royal family, the house of David. Even though ungodly kings followed, the royal bloodline was preserved until the birth of Christ. Mary was the physical mother, and God was the Father, but Joseph was the legal father. Therefore, Joseph had to be included in the Davidic genealogy to establish Jesus' legal claim to that royal line.