Matt. 1:11-23 Why Jesus Came From A Virgin CLICK ON TITLE FOR AUDIO
Jechonias was a king that reigned during the time of the Babylonian captivity of Judah. His name in the Old Testament is Jehoiachin (2 Ki 24:8). He was carried away to Babylon during the captivity (2 Ki 24:15). The captivity began during the reign of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin’s father, and continued in Jerusalem until the city and the temple were destroyed during the reign of Zedekiah. The following genealogy shows each king from Josiah to Zedekiah.
| King | Reference | Father | What Happened | Reference |
| Josiah | 2Ki 22:1 | Amon | Killed by Pharaohnecho | 2 Ki 23:29 |
| Jehoahaz | 2 Ki 23:30 | Josiah | Captured by Pharaohnecho; died inEgypt | 2 Ki 23:33-34 |
| Eliakim [Jehoiakim] | 2 Ki 23:34 | Josiah | Rebelled; attacked; captured; died inBabylon | 2 Ki 24:1-62 Chr 36:6 |
| Jehoiachin | 2 Ki 24:6 | Jehoiakim | Captured and taken toBabylon; Released under Evilmerodach | 2 Ki 24:152 Ki 25:27-30 |
| Mattaniah[Zedekiah] | 2 Ki 24:17Jer 1:3 | Josiah | Rebelled; captured; sons slain;Blinded; taken toBabylon; died in prison | 2 Ki 24:18-202 Ki 25:7Jer 52:10-11 |
As you can see from the table, the only king that reigned who was a son of Jehoiakim was Jehoiachin. And he was the only king carried to Babylon who could have had a child to continue the line to Joseph in Jesus’ genealogy. Furthermore, he was carried intoBabylon with his mother (2 Ki 24:12).
Now, there is a problem with this particular king. In Jer 22:24-30, God pronounced a prophecy against him concerning his seed that would have made it impossible for Jesus Christ to be the King of Israel.
In that prophecy, God called Jehoiachin, “Coniah,” thus removing the prefix “Je” from his name (“Je” as in Jehovah). God said that he would give him into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar and would cast him and his mother out into another country (v. 25-26). The prophecy further states, “for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling anymore in Judah.” Yet, we know that Jesus was promised the throne of David in Lk 1:31-33.
So, the question is, “How could God get Jesus on the throne of David through Jechonias’ line without contradicting this prophecy?” There is only one possible answer, “Jesus had to
be born of a virgin.” And, according to Is 7:14 and Lk 1:34-35 that’s exactly what God did! And that is one of the reasons for the virgin birth of Jesus.