The Prehistory of Jesus
Just as the antecedents of Abraham, the ‘father in faith’, are described in Genesis chapters 1-11; likewise, the background of Jesus, the universal redeemer, is given in the Gospels. Luke goes deeper into it than the other evangelists:
(1) The announcement of John the Baptist’s birth (Lk 1:5-25).
(2) Angel Gabriel announcing Jesus Christ’s birth (Lk 1:26-38).
(3) Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-45).
(4) The Canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46-56).
(5) The birth of John (Lk 1:57-66).
(6) The Canticle of Zechariah (Lk 1:67-80).
Matthew starts his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Abraham, going down to King David, and concluding with Joseph, the husband of Mary (Mt 1:1-17). God made a covenant with Abraham and David and promised them that the saviour of the world would come from their lineage. Luke gives another genealogy from Mary’s side (Lk 3:23-38). Here it traces back from Mary through King David to Adam, the “son of God”. God’s first covenant with humanity was in the Garden of Eden. God promised that a universal saviour would arise from Adam’s offspring (Gen 3:15).