The two genealogical records of the human lineage Jesus are found in Matthew and Luke. Why not in Mark and John? The aim of each of the four gospels may provide a hint for us. Matthew was written with the nation of Israel in the forefront. Matthew’s gospel portrays the Lord Jesus as King, and as such, the need to show the royal lineage. This lineage leads to from King David to Joseph, through David’s son Solomon. Now, in Jesus, “a greater than Solomon is here.” (Mt. 12:42)
Mark’s gospel focuses primarily on presenting the servant’s spirit which our Saviour demonstrated. Typically, a servant was not given his lineage, for he needed none.
The gospel of Luke highlights, more so than the other gospels, the true and perfect manhood of Jesus. His record of Christ’s lineage also comes down from David’s royal line, but this one is through another son of David; not Solomon, but Nathan. This lineage traces Mary’s family tree.
Finally, the gospel of John has no human lineage either. The reason for this is again in what the focus and emphasis of John is. No gospel more fully presents the Saviour as God than does John’s gospel. Since John’s concern is the deity of Christ, the human lineage is irrelevant.
The Wise men from the East asked of Herod, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? Herod would hear of no king but himself and so set about to kill this One who the Wise men sought. The spirit of Herod was the spirit self, which says, “I want no one in charge but me!” Let’s be sure that for us, it is not Herod’s example we follow, but that of the Wise men who sought the Lord Jesus for the purpose of recognizing Him as their Lord and King!