Jesus: Son of God? Son of David? or both?

In this study we answer the questions:

Was Yehoshua the son of God or the son of David?

Was Yehoshua born naturally or was he implanted in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit? (Virgin birth)

When did Yehoshua receive the ‘spirit’ (Ruach) of God? When he was implanted in the womb or at the time of his immersion? (Baptism)

We find in this study that there are two very different accounts that chronicle the time before Jesus began his ministry. One version seeks to primarily promote the deity and Christhood of Jesus. The other version presents Yehoshua as a natural born man and (son of Yoseph/David).

The (natural) nature of Jesus (Yehoshua) – Mary’s account

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel ((G32 - messenger) Gabriel was sent from God (G2316 – Theos/Elohim) unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin (G3933 – parthenos - unmarried maiden) espoused (betrothed) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's (maidens) name was Mary (Miryam).

28 And the angel (messenger) came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord (G2962 – Kurios/יהוה) is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel (G32 - messenger) said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God (G2316 – Theos/Elohim).

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS (H3091/G2424 - Yehoshua).

Why I use Yehoshua (click here)

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: (G5310 – hupistos) and the Lord God (Kurios Theos) shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ***

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God (G2316 – Theos/Elohim) nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord (G2962 – Kurios/יהוה); be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel (messenger) departed from her.

The Luke ‘Miriam’ account affirms that Yehoshua was the natural born son of Yoseph and Miriam.

Make note of the writer’s declaration in verse thirty-two: The messenger told Miryam that Lord God (יהוה Elohim) would give (future tense) Yehoshua the throne of David his father! Not His own son – David’s son!

Absorb this critical information and remember it when you are reading New Testament accounts. Compare and analyze… details matter! You need to be observant and open minded to see through the redactors additions in the gospels.

Speaking of redactions; there is a likely insertion in the account that states that Miriam would be infused with ‘the holy spirit (hagios pneuma)’ and that her child would be ‘a holy thing’ (hagios).

There is a likely insertion that changes the account from a natural birth and lineage account into a supernatural event that supersedes any lineage and paternal qualifications:

***

Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

You the reader can decide not to question this contradiction or rationalize it and continue your spiritual walk unaffected; or you can seek the truth no matter the cost. (Take the easy path or the hard path).

If you decide to take the hard path and continue the journey you will understand that this information allows you to establish a solid foundation. According to the writers account we can conclude that Yehoshua was physically born, was a descendant of King David through his father Yoseph and that according to the messenger; Yehoshua would be given the throne of David his ‘father’ and would reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever.

This is confirmed by the words of the people in Mark chapter eleven when Yehoshua entered Jerusalem...

Mark 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hos’anna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: (G2962 – Kurios/יהוה)

10 Blessed be the kingdom (coming reign) of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: (G2962 – Kurios/יהוה) Hos’anna in the highest (G5310 – hupistos).

Summary:

According to the writers; Yehoshua is a physical descendant (son) of David’; his lineage is through his father Joseph (this rules out a virgin birth as well as a physical or spiritual pre-existence and places emphasis on the baptism of Yehoshua as the actual beginning of his ministry (when he received the spirit of understanding).

There are two genealogies that confirm the physical lineage of Yehoshua to his father Yoseph. The Matthew chapter one account traces his ancestry to Abraham through David’s son Solomon. The Luke chapter three account traces his ancestry to Adam ((the son) of God) through David’s son Nathan.

Before we continue it will be profitable to briefly examine how other faiths view the nature of Yehoshua…

Other faiths views on the nature of Yehoshua

The Jewish faith rejects any views that identify Jesus (Yehoshua) as divine or the promised Messiah. Some Jewish thinkers throughout history have viewed Yehoshua as a historical teacher or wise rabbi.

The Islamic faith views Jesus (Yehoshua) as being a mortal human prophet who was sent to ‘guide the children of Israel’.

The Bahai faith views Jesus (Yehoshua) as a divine messenger and educator (Like Abraham and Moses). They do not believe in his physical resurrection or divine nature (God in the flesh). They believe that Greco-Roman influence contributed to those beliefs.

The (spiritual) nature of Jesus – Josephs account

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused (betrothed) to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS (G2424 - Yehoshua): for he shall save his people from their sins.

(Redactor insertion) 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel (messenger) of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS (G2424 - Yehoshua).

This Mathew ‘Joseph’ account asserts that Jesus was spiritually born in Mary’s womb without the physical impregnation of Joseph. (Which negates the use of the genealogy of Joseph to establish Jesus’ claim to the throne of David) This account agrees with the likely insertion in the Luke ‘Mary’ account.

When did Yehoshua receive the spirit (Ruach) of God? When he was implanted in the womb or at the time of his immersion? (Baptism)

According to all four gospel accounts the spirit descended upon Yehoshua at his baptism.

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, “I have seen the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove and remain on Him”. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

This leads us to ask the question…

Why would the spirit need to come upon him if he was born of the spirit of God?

We can use the ages old answer ‘It’s a mystery’, simply disregard it; or we can realize that redactors likely inserted the ‘virgin birth’ narrative into existing natural birth accounts.

Was Yehoshua a literal or figurative son of God?

If you believe that the virgin birth occurred (that the bible is the breathed word of God). You will likely also believe that Jesus was the literal son of God. (Which the other religions that follow the teachings of Yehoshua disagree with). For those who believe in the inerrant word of the bible please view the very different genealogies below and view the Old Testament studies which document the abundant scribal insertions contained in them.

If you believe that Yehoshua was of the lineage of King David; you will likely believe that he received the spirit of יהוה upon his immersion and became a figurative ‘son of Kurios’/ יהוה.

The Genealogies

The gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy that confirms Yehoshua’ lineage to King David. It then moves directly to the likely scribal insertion that directly contradicts it with the virgin birth scenario…

The genealogy of Jesus - Matthew

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

The genealogy of Jesus - Luke

Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, 25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, 30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

I leave it to you to ponder and explore the matter yourself…

All of the material on this site is the product of my twenty-five years of research and study in the fields of Middle Eastern history, archeology (focusing on the Levant), biblical theology, (the study of the Christian, Judaic and Islamic religions), linguistics (I have studied the Hebrew and Greek languages in order to gain the original writers perspectives). I have personal experience with the following faiths: Southern Baptist, WWCG, CGI, Messianic Judaism and Judaism I lived in a torah based monotheist community based on humanist teachings and values for several years. I have been writing studies/articles and parables since the early 2000s. I published many of my works on the www.YHWHisEl.com site at that time; with a focus on monotheism and the non deity of Jesus (Yehoshua).

After identifying many peculiarities in the TaNaKh while teaching, I tasked myself with determining the source of the inconsistencies. I began my search in the first five books of the bible. I read through them many times, locating inconsistencies and attempting to find the golden key that would unlock them. I read many articles, publications and books in which the authors attempted to explain the irregularities (most based on a version of the JDEP theory) and I tested each against the inconsistencies and all of them failed to provide a viable answer.

I then used critical thinking and tested potential theories until I finally found the solution that solved every problematic area. The Free thinkers guide to the Bible is the culmination of this process.

I only use AI for images on this site; I did not use it to reach my conclusion and I do not use it to write or structure my material. I do not condone AI scraping or any other form of theft of intellectual property.

If you choose to share the information I present; please be courteous and give credit to this site and myself (the author).

Author: Hoyt Allen Spiker - 2026 - Shemoth20@Gmail.com