Matthew's genealogy stops at Abraham because Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King, and the promise of a King originates in the Abrahamic covenant.
According to Les Feldick, Matthew's genealogy is deliberately limited to Abraham because the kingship of Christ is rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 12). This covenant included the promise of a nation, a land, and a divine government through the Messiah. Therefore, Matthew traces Jesus back only to Abraham, the starting point of that royal promise.
Matthew 1:1 — This verse introduces the genealogy as the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, establishing the royal and covenantal focus.
Matthew 1:1 reads: "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." This verse explicitly traces Jesus' lineage back to Abraham, not to Adam or earlier forebears. In contrast, Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) goes all the way back to Adam, "which was the son of God" (Luke 3:38). The Bible thus presents two different genealogical emphases: one that is covenantal and royal (Matthew) and one that is human and universal (Luke).
Les Feldick teaches that Matthew's genealogy deliberately stops at Abraham because Matthew's gospel presents Jesus as the King of Israel. The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12) contains three key elements: the promise of a nation, a specific land, and a government provided by God through the Messiah—the Son of God and Israel's King. Thus, Matthew's genealogy highlights that God's kingly purpose for Israel began with Abraham, not with Adam. In contrast, Luke's genealogy traces Mary's bloodline back to Adam, showing Christ's humanity, but the royal throne promise is tied to Abraham. Les emphasizes that this distinction is purposeful and demonstrates the accuracy of Scripture.
Les Feldick explains that Matthew's genealogy goes back only to Abraham because it presents Jesus as King, while Luke's genealogy goes all the way back to Adam because it presents Jesus' bloodline through Mary. In Luke, the genealogy reaches Adam, who was the son of God, showing Christ's human lineage. Matthew's genealogy, however, stops at Abraham because the promise of a King is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant.
Les Feldick teaches that the Abrahamic covenant includes three basic premises: the making of a nation, the giving of a geographical land, and the provision of a government over that people. Ultimately, this government will be fulfilled when God Himself becomes their King in the person of the Messiah, the Christ. Thus, Matthew's opening verse directs us back to Genesis 12, where the whole kingship idea began.
Les Feldick points out that in Matthew, Jesus is referred to as the King of Israel, and this is not a frivolous term. It is all part and parcel of the Abrahamic covenant. Since Matthew presents Christ as King, the term "Kingdom of Heaven" is uniquely used in this gospel, emphasizing the royal aspect of His messianic mission.
Matthew's genealogy and the King
Matthew's genealogy goes back only to Abraham because Matthew presents Jesus as the King, and the Abrahamic covenant contains the promise of a nation, land, and government through the Messiah.
Stops at Abraham because of the promise
The genealogy stops at Abraham because the kingship is based on the promise to Abraham, not to anyone before him.
Matthew's Gospel presents Christ as King
Unlike Luke's genealogy which goes back to Adam, Matthew stops at Abraham because it depicts Christ as King, and thus the term 'Kingdom of Heaven' is unique to Matthew.
The Scripture only goes back to the promise of a King
Since Matthew presents Christ as King, the genealogy only goes back to the part of Scripture that promises a King, which is the Abrahamic covenant.
Difference between Matthew and Luke genealogies
Mary's genealogy in Luke goes back to Adam because it is the bloodline, but Matthew's stops at Abraham because the royal throne is promised in the Abrahamic covenant.
The whole kingship idea began with Abraham
Matthew's opening verse drives us back to Genesis 12, where the kingship idea began with Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant.
Everything regarding the coming King began with Abraham
Everything regarding the coming of the King and Kingdom began with Abraham, not Adam, so the genealogy only goes that far.
Abrahamic covenant includes government and Messiah
The Abrahamic covenant includes a nation, a land, and a government culminating in God Himself becoming King through the Messiah, which is why Matthew presents Jesus as King of Israel.
Matthew 1:1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
This verse establishes the royal and covenantal lineage of Jesus, stopping at Abraham.
Genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
This is the Abrahamic covenant, the foundation of the promises of nation, land, and government that Matthew's genealogy points to.
Luke 3:38: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
Luke's genealogy traces Jesus back to Adam, contrasting with Matthew's stop at Abraham.
According to Les Feldick, Matthew presents Jesus as the King, and the promise of a King is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, not in Adam. Therefore, the genealogy is deliberately limited to Abraham to emphasize the covenantal and royal aspect.
Matthew's genealogy (in chapter 1) traces Jesus back to Abraham, emphasizing His kingship. Luke's genealogy (in chapter 3) goes all the way back to Adam, emphasizing His humanity and universal connection. Les Feldick explains that Matthew's is Joseph's line, while Luke's is Mary's bloodline, but both serve distinct purposes.
Les Feldick teaches that the Abrahamic covenant includes three promises: a nation, a land, and a government. That government would ultimately be provided by God Himself in the person of the Messiah. Thus, the kingship of Jesus is directly tied to this covenant, explaining why Matthew's genealogy begins with Abraham.
Watch the Teaching: Why Two Genealogies of Jesus? Matthew vs Luke Explained