Luke 3:24

KJV

Which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi, which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Janna, which was [the son] of Joseph,

KJV (with Strong's)

Which was the son of Matthat {G3158}, which was the son of Levi {G3017}, which was the son of Melchi {G3197}, which was the son of Janna {G2388}, which was the son of Joseph {G2501},

Complete Jewish Bible

of Mattat, of Levi, of Malki, of Yannai, of Yosef,

Berean Standard Bible

the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

American Standard Version

the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:24 continues the meticulously recorded genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage backward through His earthly foster father, Joseph. This verse specifically lists five generations—Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Janna, and Joseph—each name representing a vital link in the historical chain that culminates in the Messiah, affirming both His genuine humanity and God's sovereign hand in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 3:24 is an integral part of Luke's extensive genealogy of Jesus, which commences in [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - The Beginning of Jesus's Genealogy") and extends all the way back to Adam, whom Luke identifies as "the son of God" in [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Jesus's Lineage to Adam"). Unlike Matthew's genealogy in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), which traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham through Joseph's legal line to emphasize His royal Jewish heritage, Luke traces it backward from Jesus, emphasizing His connection to all humanity. This backward progression culminates in Adam, thereby presenting Jesus as the Savior for all people, not exclusively for the Jewish nation. The placement of the genealogy immediately after Jesus's baptism and divine affirmation highlights His identity and prepared Him for His public ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies were critically important in ancient Jewish culture, serving as legal documents, proof of tribal affiliation, and validation of claims to inheritance or positions, particularly for priestly or royal lines. While Luke's genealogy is often understood to trace Jesus's lineage through Mary (as Joseph is noted as "being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph" in [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Jesus's Supposed Paternity")), it still acknowledges Joseph's legal role as Jesus's earthly father. The inclusion of such a detailed list underscores the historical grounding of Jesus's life and ministry within specific historical and familial lines, a common practice in ancient biographies to establish credibility and identity. The names themselves reflect typical Jewish nomenclature of the period, often bearing Hebrew origins and meanings, even when transliterated into Greek.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader genealogy, contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Humanity of Christ**. By meticulously listing specific individuals, Luke affirms that Jesus was truly part of human history, born into a real family line, and subject to the same human experiences as others. This contrasts with any Gnostic tendencies to deny Jesus's physical reality and aligns with the theological truth that God truly became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")). Secondly, it highlights Luke's commitment to **Historical Accuracy and Verifiability**. As a careful historian, Luke sought to provide an "orderly account" ([Luke 1:3](/luke/1-3 "Luke 1:3 - Luke's Purpose in Writing")) of Jesus's life and origins, grounding faith in factual, verifiable events rather than myth. Finally, the genealogy speaks to **Divine Purpose and Sovereignty in History**. Every name, including those in Luke 3:24, represents a person through whom God's plan of salvation was meticulously unfolded over centuries, demonstrating God's long-term faithfulness and His sovereign control over human history, culminating in the arrival of the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Joseph (Greek, _Iōsḗph'_):** Of Hebrew origin (יוֹסֵף), meaning "he will add" or "may he add." In this context, Joseph is identified as the earthly, legal father of Jesus, through whom the human lineage is traced. The name itself, common in Jewish history (e.g., Joseph, son of Jacob), signifies growth and increase, subtly hinting at the spiritual fruitfulness that would come through this lineage.
* **Matthat (Greek, _Matthát'_):** Probably a shortened form of Mattathias (Ματταθίας), meaning "gift of Yahweh." This name, like many in the genealogy, emphasizes the divine origin and blessing inherent in the lineage leading to Christ. It serves as a reminder that each generation was a part of God's unfolding plan, a gift from Him.
* **Melchi (Greek, _Melchí'_):** Of Hebrew origin (מֶלֶךְ with pronominal suffix, meaning "my king"). This name carries significant royal connotations, subtly echoing the Davidic kingship that Jesus would ultimately inherit. Its presence in the genealogy reinforces the theme of Jesus's royal heritage and His ultimate role as the King of Kings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which was [the son] of Matthat":** This clause begins the backward tracing of Jesus's lineage from Joseph, identifying Matthat as Joseph's father. The phrase "[the son]" is implied in the Greek genitive case, a common and efficient way to denote paternal lineage in ancient genealogies. This establishes a direct, generational link, moving one step further back in the historical chain.
* **"which was [the son] of Levi":** Continuing the backward sequence, Levi is identified as the father of Matthat. The repetition of the implied "son of" structure maintains the rhythmic and systematic nature of the genealogical record, emphasizing the unbroken chain of descent.
* **"which was [the son] of Melchi":** Melchi is presented as the father of Levi, further extending the lineage. Each name, though seemingly just a list, represents a real person whose life contributed to the historical unfolding of God's redemptive plan, whether they knew it or not.
* **"which was [the son] of Janna":** Janna is identified as the father of Melchi. The inclusion of these less familiar names underscores the meticulousness of Luke's research and his commitment to providing a comprehensive and accurate historical record, even for those generations not prominently featured in other biblical narratives.
* **"which was [the son] of Joseph":** This final clause in the verse names Joseph as the father of Janna, completing the list of five generations presented in this specific verse. This Joseph is distinct from Jesus's earthly father, highlighting the commonality of names within ancient families and reinforcing the depth of the genealogical record.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 3:24, and indeed throughout the entire genealogy, is **Catalog** or **List**. This systematic enumeration of names serves to establish a historical and theological framework, underscoring the authenticity and human rootedness of Jesus. The repeated grammatical structure, where "which was [the son] of" is implied for each successive name, creates a rhythmic **Repetition** that facilitates the flow of the long list and reinforces the unbroken chain of descent. Furthermore, the entire genealogy functions as a **Literary Framework** that grounds the divine narrative of Jesus within human history, lending credibility to His claims and ministry. It acts as a **Historical Record**, asserting the factual basis of Jesus's identity and lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke's meticulous genealogy, including the names in Luke 3:24, serves as a profound theological statement about God's faithfulness and His sovereign plan of redemption. It demonstrates that God works through real people, in real time, across generations, to accomplish His divine purposes. The very existence of this detailed lineage underscores the historical reality of Jesus, affirming that He was not a mythical figure but a genuine human being, deeply rooted in a specific ancestry, yet divinely appointed as the Messiah. This grounding in history provides a tangible basis for faith, assuring believers that God's promises are fulfilled with precision and care, even through seemingly ordinary individuals.

* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ")
* [Genesis 5:1-32](/genesis/5-1-32 "The Genealogy from Adam to Noah")
* [1 Chronicles 1:1-27](/1_chronicles/1-1-27 "Genealogies from Adam to Abraham")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might initially appear dry or irrelevant to modern readers, Luke 3:24 and the surrounding genealogy offer profound spiritual reassurance and practical lessons. They remind us that God's grand plan of salvation is meticulously woven through the fabric of human history, involving countless individuals, many of whom are unknown to us. Every name in this list, including Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Janna, and Joseph, represents a person through whom God's purpose was advanced, however subtly. This should encourage us to trust in God's overarching plan for our lives and for the world, even when our individual contributions seem small or insignificant. It grounds our faith in a tangible, historical reality, demonstrating that God's promises are fulfilled with precision and care, and that He is intimately involved in the details of human existence. Our lives, too, are part of His continuing story, and our faithfulness, no matter how humble, contributes to His eternal design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus's human lineage deepen your appreciation for His incarnation?**
* **What does the meticulous nature of Luke's genealogy reveal about God's character and His involvement in history?**
* **How can knowing that God works through ordinary people and generations encourage you in your own walk of faith?**

### FAQ

**Why does Luke's genealogy differ from Matthew's?**

Answer: The differences between Luke's and Matthew's genealogies are often attributed to their distinct purposes and the lines they trace. Matthew, writing primarily to a Jewish audience, traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham through Joseph's legal line (specifically through David's royal son Solomon) to establish Jesus's claim as the rightful King and Messiah of Israel ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew's Genealogy")). Luke, writing to a Gentile audience, traces Jesus's lineage backward from Joseph (or possibly Mary's line through Joseph as her legal guardian) all the way to Adam ([Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Jesus's Genealogy to Adam")), emphasizing Jesus's universal humanity and His role as the Savior of all mankind. The specific differences in names after David likely reflect these two distinct lines—one through Solomon (Matthew) and one through Nathan (Luke), both sons of David.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:24, as part of Jesus's comprehensive genealogy, profoundly contributes to His Christ-centered fulfillment by establishing His undeniable human connection to the entirety of salvation history. While the verse lists names that might seem distant, they are vital links in the chain that ultimately led to the Incarnation of God in human flesh. This lineage confirms that Jesus was not a mythical figure but a real man, born into a real family, thereby fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's human descent ([Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - Prophecy of the Virgin Birth"); [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Bethlehem's Ruler")). By tracing His ancestry back to Adam, Luke emphasizes Jesus's solidarity with all humanity, positioning Him as the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam")), who reverses the curse of the first Adam's sin and offers redemption to all who believe. The presence of these names, including "Melchi" (my king), subtly underscores His royal heritage and His ultimate role as the King of Kings, whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus's Kingdom Not of This World")), but nonetheless rooted in historical reality. Thus, this seemingly simple list of names points directly to the historical, human, and divine reality of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior of the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.