Luke 3 26

Luke 3:26 kjv

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,

Luke 3:26 nkjv

the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

Luke 3:26 niv

the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

Luke 3:26 esv

the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,

Luke 3:26 nlt

Naggai was the son of Maath.
Maath was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Semein was the son of Josech.
Josech was the son of Joda.

Luke 3 26 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 5:1-32This is the book of the generations of Adam...Example of ancient genealogies.
Gen 10:1-32These are the generations of the sons of Noah...Foundation of nation origins.
1 Chr 1:1-27Adam, Seth, Enosh; Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared...Comprehensive Israelite genealogies.
1 Chr 2:1-15These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon... Jesse was the father of David.David's lineage detailed.
Ru 4:18-22Now these are the generations of Perez... David was the father of Solomon.Specific Messianic lineage through Judah.
Mt 1:1-17The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Matthew's distinct genealogy of Jesus.
Lk 3:23-38Jesus... being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph... the son of God.Luke's complete genealogy of Jesus.
Gen 12:3in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.Abrahamic covenant promise of universal blessing.
2 Sam 7:12-16I will raise up your offspring after you... establish his kingdom forever.Davidic covenant of an eternal descendant king.
Ps 89:3-4"I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant.God's unbreakable covenant with David.
Ps 132:11-12The LORD swore to David a sure oath... "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne."Davidic promise of an heir on the throne.
Isa 9:6-7For to us a child is born... on the throne of David and over his kingdom.Prophecy of Christ on David's throne.
Jer 23:5-6"I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... In His days Judah will be saved."Prophecy of the Davidic Messiah.
Zec 12:10they will look on me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for him.Prophecy identifying the pierced Messiah as from David's line.
Rom 1:3-4concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.Jesus' Davidic descent affirmed by Paul.
Gal 4:4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman.Jesus' true humanity affirmed.
Php 2:7but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.Jesus took human form.
Heb 2:14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things.Jesus fully shared in humanity.
Jn 1:14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.Incarnation of Jesus.
Eph 2:19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints...Believers joined into God's household/family.
Mt 22:42What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said, "The son of David."Acknowledging Christ's Davidic lineage.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 26 Meaning

Luke 3:26 continues the ancestral line of Jesus, listing five immediate predecessors: Maath, Mattathias, Semein, Josech, and Joda. This verse, embedded within a larger genealogy tracing backward from Jesus to Adam and God, fundamentally affirms Jesus' historical and human reality. It positions Him as a genuine descendant of a long line of historical figures, emphasizing His connection to mankind and fulfilling prophecies through a verifiable lineage, thereby grounding the divine Son of God in the tangible fabric of human history.

Luke 3 26 Context

Luke chapter 3 sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. It opens with the widespread prophetic ministry of John the Baptist, calling people to repentance and preparing the way for the Lord. This is followed by Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River, where God the Father publicly affirms Jesus as His beloved Son. Immediately after this pivotal declaration, Luke presents a meticulously detailed genealogy of Jesus. Unlike Matthew, who traces Jesus' lineage forward from Abraham to highlight His Jewish kingship, Luke uniquely traces it backward from Jesus through Joseph's line, back to Adam, and ultimately to God. Luke 3:26, listing five intermediate ancestors, forms an integral part of this extensive chain. The placement of the genealogy directly after Jesus' baptism serves to confirm His human identity and historical validity, grounding His divine mission in a tangible earthly heritage. For Luke's audience, which included Gentiles, this meticulous lineage established Jesus as truly human and universally relatable, the Savior for all humanity descending from the progenitor of all mankind.

Luke 3 26 Word analysis

  • the son of (Greek: ho huios tou): This repetitive phrase signifies the lineage connection. While often meaning a biological "son," in ancient genealogies, it could also denote a descendant, an heir, or a legally adopted son. Its constant repetition emphasizes the careful recording of each generational link, constructing a precise ancestral chain. It speaks to a continuous, documented progression of descent.
  • Maath, Mattathias, Semein, Josech, Joda: These are names transliterated from Hebrew into Greek. Individually, these figures hold no independent biblical or historical significance beyond their mention in this genealogy. Their inclusion underscores the vast depth of Jesus' historical lineage, anchoring Him to generations of ordinary individuals. The listing of specific, less prominent names demonstrates the meticulousness of the genealogical record and its historical grounding, rather than mythical origin.
  • Words-group: "the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,": This entire sequence of names bound by the repetitive "the son of" functions as an unbroken chain link. It underscores the linearity and continuity of the family line leading to Jesus. This systematic listing serves a foundational purpose, proving the legitimate and documented descent, which was critically important for establishing identity, inheritance, and claims, particularly for the awaited Messiah. It is part of Luke's carefully constructed argument for Jesus' authentic humanity and His fulfillment of divine promise through a specific historical lineage.

Luke 3 26 Bonus section

  • Luke's genealogy differs from Matthew's in several ways: Luke goes backward from Jesus to Adam and God, emphasizing Jesus' connection to all humanity, whereas Matthew goes forward from Abraham to Jesus, highlighting kingship and Jewish heritage. Luke’s lineage is generally believed to follow Mary's ancestry (or Joseph's actual biological line), whereas Matthew's tracks Joseph's legal and royal lineage through Solomon. Despite differences, both converge at King David and acknowledge Joseph as Jesus' legal father.
  • In ancient Jewish society, genealogies were critical for establishing tribal affiliation, land inheritance, and validating claims to priesthood or royalty. For the Messiah, descent from the lineage of David was a fundamental requirement. Luke’s detailed list, including the obscure names in this verse, meticulously fulfills this cultural and prophetic expectation, reinforcing Jesus' qualifications as the promised King.
  • The exact biological links throughout ancient genealogies are often debated; "son of" could signify a legal descendant or even adoption. However, the consistent inclusion of such records in Scripture underscores the divine emphasis on the tangible, historical reality of God's interaction with humanity and the precision of His plans regarding Christ's advent.

Luke 3 26 Commentary

Luke 3:26, like the surrounding verses in Jesus' genealogy, is not merely a list of names; it serves significant theological purposes. By presenting these generations, Luke establishes Jesus' true humanity, affirming He was a historical figure born into a real human family, fully participating in human experience. This detail counters any ideas that might view Jesus as a spirit or an illusion. The specific names listed, though largely unknown outside this genealogy, provide irrefutable proof of His human pedigree. Luke's genealogy, by tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam and then to God, uniquely emphasizes His universal kinship with all humanity, presenting Him not just as the Jewish Messiah, but as the Savior of the entire human race. It shows a continuous, purposeful plan of God unfolding through generations, with Christ as the ultimate culmination. The diligent record-keeping signifies the meticulous care God took in preparing the way for His Son.