Luke 3:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

NIV: the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

NASB: the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai,

CSB: son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai,

NLT: Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai.

KJV: 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,

NKJV: the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

Many scholars believe Luke's genealogy establishes the lineage of Mary, which would make Jesus a literal blood relative of David. Others differ, but in any case, both Luke and Matthew (Matthew 1:1–16) establish the legitimacy of Jesus' claim to fulfill Old Testament prophecy (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

Commonly used names are found here, as in several other points in this genealogy. In this verse, Amos and Nahum are not the corresponding Old Testament prophets. Mattathias, as well, shares the exact same name with an ancestor (Luke 3:26) and an extremely similar name to others (Luke 3:24, 29, 31).

Luke 3:23–38 traces the earthly ancestry of Jesus, apparently focusing on direct family lines. That is, Luke might be following literal birth, rather than by legal means such as adoption. Scholars differ on the precise meaning of these lines, but a common interpretation is that Luke is establishing Mary's ancestry. This establishes Jesus' physical relationship to His ancestor David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Matthew's genealogy shows Joseph's descent from David, making his adoptive son, Jesus, a legal member of that line.

The early part of Luke's gospel shifts back and forth between the histories of Jesus and John the Baptist. Chapter 3 starts with historical and prophetic context about John. It then depicts some of John's interactions with local religious leaders. Luke gives only a brief description of Jesus' baptism. He also touches on John's criticism of Herod the Tetrarch, which would eventually result in John's execution (Matthew 14:10–12). The chapter ends with a genealogy of Christ.

Chapters 1 and 2 provided early history for both John the Baptist and Jesus. Chapter 3 establishes John's preaching ministry and its connection to Jesus Christ. The chapter ends with a genealogy which some believe runs through Mary's side of the family. Chapter 4 transitions from Jesus' baptism into His public ministry, by describing His fasting in the wilderness and temptation by Satan.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/29/2024 5:55:57 PM