Steven Donald Norris Bücher

Unraveling the Family History of Jesus is a scholarly exploration of the individuals related to Jesus from 100 BC to 100 AD, revealing that many significant figures in the New Testament were his relatives. The author traces the lineage back to the early Kings of Judea, identifying Jesus' great grandparents and providing context to the genealogies in Luke and Matthew. Notably, he uncovers that "Matthat," Jesus' great grandfather mentioned in Luke, is actually Antigonus Mattathias II, the last King of Judea. This revelation sheds light on Jesus' legitimate claim to the throne and highlights the involvement of his great uncles and aunts in pivotal events surrounding his life, death, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The author also delves into the extended family of Joseph of Nazareth, revealing that Joseph was not merely a "poor carpenter" but a rabbi and scholar of considerable wealth, as his father was the Patriarch of Jerusalem receiving tax funds from the Roman Empire. This comprehensive understanding of Jesus' family background offers a clearer picture of the environment in which he preached, explaining how he could be an itinerant preacher without needing to work for a living.