In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the meaning of the Gospel of Matthew’s opening verse: “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” He clarifies that this refers to Christ’s human lineage, not to the divinity of God, since God Himself has no ancestors and no beginning—He is eternal and infinite.

The Pope explains that everything the Bible says about Christ’s birth, genealogy, or family concerns His human nature, which He took when He became incarnate for the salvation of mankind. Concerning His divinity, He is the eternal Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, without beginning or source.

Thus, when the Gospel calls Christ the son of David or the son of Abraham, it speaks of His humanity born of the Virgin Mary, while His divinity remains uncreated and eternal. This distinction helps us understand that Scripture describes the incarnate Son, who united divinity and humanity perfectly without confusion or separation.

✝️ Spiritual Lessons:

• Christ has two natures: divine and human.

• His genealogy in the Gospels refers to His humanity, not His divinity.

• The Incarnation unites eternity with time in one person.

• We must distinguish between what is said of Christ as God and what is said of Him as man.

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