Insights on Jesus' Genealogy: Matthew 1:1-17

The genealogy of Matthew 1:1-17 compared to Luke 3:23-38 has confused many including myself. I have read James Coffman's New Testament Commentary, and what he suggests makes sense to me. The genealogy in Matthew is Joseph's actual genealogy. The genealogy in Luke is actually Mary's genealogy, because Heli is actually Joseph's father-in-law or Mary's father.

He goes on to explain:

"This type of double entry was not confusing to the Jews, for a woman's name did not usually stand in the tables of genealogy. The term "son" as used in such tables actually had three different meanings: (1) son by actual birth; (2) son-in-law; and (3) son by creation, as in the case of Adam (Luke 3:38). "

That both genealogies really needed to be shown to fulfill Jeremiah 22:30 which forbids any descendant of Jechoniah to sit on the throne of David.

Now "Matthew Henry Complete Commentary 1706" there are three women with bad reputations in Matthew's genealogy. These women are Bathsheba and Tamar who were adulteresses, and Rachab who was a harlot to put it politely.

To me this represents a foreshadow, or what is going to happen in the future, to humanities future relationship with Jesus. According to Galatians chapters 3 and 4 long after Jesus died, those who accept Jesus are the adopted sons and daughters of God, and Romans 11:23 says we are grafted into God by faith. They essentially become a part of Jesus' genealogy, and there are many of them who also have bad reputations. To me this is another way God shows His awesome power by showing us that He knew what was going to happen, and that has a much grander plan for us than we originally thought.