Matthew, is writing to the Jewish side and starts at the birth of the Jewish people - Abraham. He is writing of the divinity of Jesus.
Luke, a doctor, starts where a doctor would, the beginning of mankind. His Gospel is focused on Jesus as a man. Also, Luke is referencing an oft-forgotten passage in the old testament that allows for inheritance through the female line.
Dr. Chuck Missler has a great article that describes the significance of each.
This post has been kept open on my computer for days because I meant to post the “Design of the Gospels” you refer to by Dr. Chuck Missler and kept getting into something else. Promised myself that I would not close the window until I got it done. Took a while, but here it is for any who want to copy it. It’s been a real blessing for a dummy like me when studying the Gospels to keep in the back of my mind. May God bless Brother Chuck for all his wonderful work shared with so many.
The Design of the Gospels
Credit: Dr. Chuck Missler
MATTHEW:
Presents as: Messiah
Genealogy: Abraham (Legal line)
What He: Said
To the: Jew
1st Miracle: Leper cleansed (to Jew = sin)
Ends with: Resurrection
Camp side: East
Ensign: Judah
Face: Lion
Style: Groupings
MARK:
Presents as: Servant
Genealogy: (Servant’s genealogy not mentioned)
What He: Did
To the: Roman
1st Miracle: Demon expelled
Ends with: Ascension
Camp side: West
Ensign: Ephraim
Face: Ox
Style: Snapshots
LUKE:
Presents as: Son of Man
Genealogy: Adam (Blood line)
What He: Felt
To the: Greek
1st Miracle: Demon expelled
Ends with: Promise of the Spirit (Book of Acts)
Camp side: South
Ensign: Reuben
Face: Man
Style: Narrative
JOHN:
Presents as: Son of God
Genealogy: Eternal (Pre-existent One)
What He: Was
To the: Church
1st Miracle: Water to Wine
Ends with: Promise of Return (Book of Revelation)
Camp side: North
Ensign: Dan
Face: Eagle
Style: Mystical
Two other essentials regarding the genealogy of Jesus necessary to understand, again thank you Chuck Missler, are: 1) The daughters of Zelophehad; and 2) the Levirite marriage. (“Levirite” is Latin and nothing to do with Levi or Levitical.) I realize I am probably preaching to the choir on this to some, but there may be some who are interested that haven’t covered the territory before. And it is a real blessing to discover.
The 7s in the genealogy that Missler blows out of the water is nothing short of amazing.
God is indeed great!
Kind Regards to All,
SC
(Metmom & MHG, I realize y’all didn’t post here, but pinged in case you’re interested.)