Luke 3 29

Luke 3:29 kjv

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,

Luke 3:29 nkjv

the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

Luke 3:29 niv

the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

Luke 3:29 esv

the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

Luke 3:29 nlt

Er was the son of Joshua.
Joshua was the son of Eliezer.
Eliezer was the son of Jorim.
Jorim was the son of Matthat.
Matthat was the son of Levi.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 29 Meaning

Luke 3:29 continues Jesus's genealogy, listing five specific ancestors: Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, and Levi. This verse is part of a longer backward genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) tracing Jesus's lineage not forward from Abraham as in Matthew, but backward through Mary's line (or Joseph's legal line) all the way to Adam and ultimately to God. Its inclusion affirms Jesus's human origins and historical legitimacy, embedding Him deeply within the history of God's people and humanity itself. Each "son of" signifies direct generational descent, legally or biologically, confirming the unbroken chain leading to the Messiah.

Luke 3 29 Context

Luke 3:29 is situated within the broader genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:23-38), immediately following the account of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist and the divine affirmation, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." This placement underscores that Jesus, though divinely begotten, is fully human, deeply rooted in Israel's history and the human race.

Luke's genealogy differs from Matthew's. Luke traces the lineage backward from Jesus, through Joseph (legally, and typically understood to represent Mary's line to connect with her biological contribution) up to Adam and ultimately to God. This backward progression highlights Jesus's universal relevance as the "Son of Man," the Redeemer of all humanity, not just Israel. Historically, ancient genealogies served to establish legal claims, heritage, and identity. For Luke's diverse audience (including Gentiles), a lineage back to Adam emphasizes Jesus's connection to all mankind and God's original creative act, aligning with Luke's thematic emphasis on God's salvation for all people. The names in Luke 3:29, like many in the list, are largely obscure figures, underscoring that God's plan unfolds through seemingly ordinary lives over many generations.

Luke 3 29 Word analysis

• the son of (τοῦ): The Greek article tou (τοῦ) is used repetitively here with the genitive case, implying "of" or "son of." This standard genealogical formula in ancient Jewish and Hellenistic cultures denotes descent, inheritance, or even simply a relationship to an ancestor. It underscores a continuous, unbroken chain of generations, validating legitimacy. For Luke, it serves to embed Jesus fully into human history.
• Jose (Ἰωσῆ): A Greek transliteration of a Hebrew name. This is a common variant of Joseph, which means "He adds" or "May he add." Its appearance close to Jesus's generation connects back to other Josephs in the Old Testament, though this specific individual is largely unknown outside this list.
• Eliezer (Ἐλιέζερ): From the Hebrew Eli‘ezer (אֱלִיעֶזֶר), meaning "God is help" or "My God is help." This name appears multiple times in the Old Testament, most famously as Abraham's servant (Gen 15:2) and a son of Moses (Ex 18:4). The meaning reflects a dependence on God, perhaps implicitly reinforcing divine providence in the lineage.
• Jorim (Ἰωρεὶμ): A relatively obscure name. While its exact Hebrew etymology is debated, it may be a variant of Joram, a common Hebrew name that can mean "exalted by Yahweh" or "Yahweh is exalted." Its rarity outside this list in major biblical texts highlights how Luke meticulously documented less prominent figures in the Messiah's lineage, stressing the authenticity and depth of the ancestry.
• Matthat (Μαθθάτ): Likely a contraction or variation of the Hebrew name Mattathiah, meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." Similar names like Matthew appear elsewhere. This meaning can subtly hint at the divine favor or providence associated with this lineage leading to Christ.
• Levi (Λευΐ): This name is well-known from the Old Testament as one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the progenitor of the priestly tribe of Levi. Its presence in Jesus's genealogy in Luke is significant. While Jesus is not from the tribe of Levi by blood (He is from Judah), the inclusion of this name can subtly underscore Jesus's authority or a priestly aspect of His mission in Luke's Gospel, where He fulfills and transcends the old covenant. The repeated usage of "the son of" creates a rhythmic and authoritative tone, emphasizing the factual progression of generations and lending credence to the historical veracity of Jesus's human identity. Each name, regardless of its individual prominence, signifies a crucial link in the unbroken chain chosen by God to bring about His ultimate redemptive plan.

Luke 3 29 Bonus section

The genealogical structure in Luke, moving backward from Jesus to Adam and then to God ("the son of Adam, the son of God"), serves a unique literary and theological purpose distinct from Matthew's forward-looking genealogy (from Abraham to Jesus). Luke's presentation subtly positions Jesus not just as the Jewish Messiah fulfilling Abrahamic and Davidic promises, but as the archetypal "Son of Man" who reverses the fall of the first Adam. This universal scope would have particularly resonated with Luke's predominantly Gentile audience, emphasizing that Jesus's salvation is available to all of humanity, as foreshadowed by His lineage stretching to the progenitor of all human races. The emphasis on Jesus's full humanity through these comprehensive generations makes His atoning work relatable and effectual for every human being descended from Adam.

Luke 3 29 Commentary

Luke 3:29, embedded within the longer genealogy, is more than just a list of names; it is a theological statement. These obscure individuals—Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, and Levi—highlight Luke's consistent theme that God works through the humble and ordinary. They are not patriarchs, kings, or prophets but rather typical ancestors, reinforcing that the divine plan unfolds through every generation, not just the famous. The repetition of "the son of" underscores the historical continuity and legitimate lineage of Jesus, providing a credible basis for His identity as the Christ. Furthermore, tracing Jesus's ancestry through these names, eventually back to Adam, connects Him to all humanity, fulfilling God's universal redemptive purpose initiated from creation itself. It affirms that Jesus's saving work is for Jew and Gentile alike, establishing His universal sonship not only to God but also to all mankind. The inclusion of "Levi" is noteworthy, suggesting that while Jesus is of the royal tribe of Judah, the entire historical fabric of Israel, including its priestly elements, points to Him as the ultimate fulfiller and new covenant High Priest.