Luke 3:25

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Which was the son of Mattathias {G3161}, which was the son of Amos {G301}, which was the son of Naum {G3486}, which was the son of Esli {G2069}, which was the son of Nagge {G3477},

Complete Jewish Bible

of Mattityahu, of Amotz, of Nachum, of Hesli, of Naggai,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:25 continues the meticulous genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His human lineage backward through five generations: Mattathias, Amos, Naum, Esli, and Nagge. This verse is part of a larger genealogical record (Luke 3:23-38) that establishes Jesus's authentic humanity and His historical connection to the human family, ultimately linking Him to Adam and, by extension, to God Himself. It underscores the divine orchestration of history, ensuring the Messiah's arrival through a specific, divinely appointed lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 3:25 is situated within the broader genealogical account of Jesus, which begins at [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - The Start of Jesus's Genealogy") and extends to [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Jesus's Lineage to Adam"). This extensive list follows the account of Jesus's baptism and the divine affirmation of His sonship (Luke 3:21-22). Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which traces Jesus's ancestry forward from Abraham to Joseph, Luke’s account moves backward from Jesus (through Joseph, His legal father) to Adam. This backward tracing emphasizes Jesus's universal appeal as the Savior of all humanity, not just the Jewish people, by connecting Him to the progenitor of all mankind. The inclusion of these seemingly obscure names reinforces the historical reality and tangible human heritage of Jesus, anchoring His divine mission in concrete historical succession.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies held immense significance in ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. They served as crucial records for establishing identity, validating claims to inheritance, land, or positions of authority, such as royalty or priesthood. For the Jewish people, a verifiable lineage was essential for the Messiah, who was prophesied to be from the house of David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Luke, writing primarily for a Gentile audience, presents a genealogy that would resonate with the broader Greco-Roman emphasis on lineage and distinguished ancestry. By meticulously listing these names, Luke affirms the historical authenticity of Jesus's claims and His rightful place as the promised Messiah, demonstrating that His advent was not a random event but the culmination of a divinely guided historical process spanning generations.

* **Key Themes:** The genealogy, including [Luke 3:25](/luke/3-25 "Luke 3:25 - Part of Jesus's Genealogy"), powerfully underscores several key themes central to Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus's authentic humanity**, asserting that He was fully man, born into a real family line with a tangible history. This humanity is foundational for His role as the High Priest and Redeemer, as He had to be like humanity in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus's Humanity and Temptation")). Secondly, the meticulous recording of generations illustrates **God's sovereign plan and continuity** throughout history, demonstrating His faithfulness in guiding events and fulfilling His ancient promises. Each name, whether prominent or obscure, represents a vital link in the unfolding chain of God's redemptive purpose, leading inexorably to the birth of the Messiah. Lastly, by tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam, Luke subtly emphasizes **Jesus's universal inclusivity** and His role as the Savior for all mankind, transcending ethnic and national boundaries, as He is the "second Adam" who redeems all who believe ([Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Romans 5:12-19 - Adam and Christ Compared")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mattathias (Greek, _Mattathías'_):** Of Hebrew origin (מַתִּתְיָה, Mattithyah), meaning "gift of Yahweh." This name, common in Jewish history (e.g., the father of the Maccabees), signifies the divine hand in the lineage, implying that each generation was a gift and part of God's unfolding plan, ultimately leading to the ultimate "gift" of the Messiah.
* **Amos (Greek, _Amṓs'_):** Of Hebrew origin (אָמוֹץ, Amots), meaning "strong" or "borne." While distinct from the prophet Amos, the name suggests resilience or divine support, quietly hinting at the strength and endurance required for the lineage to persist through centuries of challenges, preserving the line through which the Messiah would come.
* **Nagge (Greek, _Nangaí'_):** Probably of Hebrew origin (compare נֹגַהּ, nogah), meaning "splendor" or "brightness." This name, though obscure in the biblical narrative, subtly points to the inherent glory and divine purpose embedded within this human lineage, which was destined to bring forth the "light of the world" (John 8:12).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which was [the son] of Mattathias":** This clause, and the subsequent ones, indicates direct paternal descent. The bracketed "the son" is an interpretive addition by the KJV translators for clarity, as the original Greek uses the genitive case (e.g., Ματταθίου, "of Mattathias"), implicitly conveying the relationship of sonship. This structure emphasizes the unbroken, generation-by-generation chain of lineage.
* **"which was [the son] of Amos":** Continuing the backward tracing, this phrase further solidifies the historical depth and continuity of Jesus's ancestry. Each name represents a real individual, a link in the chain of human history through whom God worked to prepare the way for His Son.
* **"which was [the son] of Naum":** The inclusion of Naum (likely a variant of Nahum, "comfort" or "consolation") adds another layer to the meticulously recorded lineage. Even names without extensive biblical narratives are vital, demonstrating that God's plan encompasses all individuals within the chosen line, regardless of their historical prominence.
* **"which was [the son] of Esli":** Esli, possibly meaning "my binding" or "my closeness" (from a Hebrew root), further illustrates the intricate and personal nature of God's involvement in the human story. Each name, whether known or unknown to us, was known to God and played a specific role in bringing about the incarnation.
* **"which was [the son] of Nagge":** The final name in this verse, Nagge, concludes this segment of the genealogy, reinforcing the methodical and comprehensive nature of Luke's record. It highlights the divine faithfulness in preserving the lineage through countless generations, ensuring that the Messiah would indeed be born into the human family as prophesied.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's genealogy, particularly in verses like [Luke 3:25](/luke/3-25 "Luke 3:25 - Part of Jesus's Genealogy"), primarily employs the literary device of **List** or **Catalogue**. This systematic enumeration of names emphasizes the historical veracity and the unbroken chain of Jesus's ancestry. The **Repetition** of the phrase "which was [the son] of" (or its implied Greek equivalent) creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical cadence, reinforcing the continuity and directness of the lineage. While seemingly dry, this repetitive structure imbues the list with a sense of inevitability and divine purpose, highlighting that each name was a necessary step in God's grand redemptive narrative. The very act of presenting such a detailed list serves as a form of **Historical Affirmation**, lending weight and credibility to Jesus's claims by grounding them in verifiable human history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly mundane list of names in Luke 3:25 carries profound theological weight, demonstrating God's meticulous and sovereign plan for salvation. It underscores the concept of divine faithfulness across generations, illustrating that God works through long periods of time and through ordinary, often forgotten, individuals to bring about His ultimate purposes. This genealogy firmly establishes Jesus's genuine humanity, a crucial theological truth affirming that He was fully man, born into a real family line, enabling Him to truly represent humanity as our High Priest and atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, by tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam, Luke subtly broadens the scope of salvation, indicating that Jesus is not merely the Messiah for Israel but the Savior of all humanity, the second Adam who redeems the fallen race.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus's Humanity and Temptation")
* [Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Adam and Christ Compared")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might initially appear dry, Luke 3:25 and the broader genealogy it belongs to offer profound truths for reflection and practical application in the life of a believer. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand narrative unfolds across generations, often through the lives of seemingly ordinary individuals whose names may be lost to human memory but are eternally significant in His divine plan. This encourages us to recognize our own place within God's ongoing story, understanding that our lives, our heritage, and our actions contribute to a larger tapestry that extends beyond our immediate existence, impacting those who came before us and those who will come after. For believers, this meticulous record strengthens faith in Jesus as the prophesied Christ, affirming His historical reality and validating His claims and mission as the long-awaited Messiah, born into the human family line as foretold. It invites us to trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that if He meticulously orchestrated the lineage of His Son, He is equally faithful in guiding our individual lives and the broader sweep of history.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus's human genealogy deepen your appreciation for His incarnation and His role as our High Priest?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God working through generations, even through obscure individuals, encourage or challenge your view of your own life's significance in God's plan?**
* **How might reflecting on your own heritage and the impact of those who came before you shape your perspective on your current responsibilities and future legacy?**

### FAQ
**Why is Luke's genealogy different from Matthew's, and what is the significance of tracing it back to Adam?**

Answer: Luke's genealogy differs from Matthew's primarily in its starting and ending points, and its direction. Matthew traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham to Joseph, emphasizing Jesus's royal Davidic line and His identity as the Jewish Messiah ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Jesus's Genealogy from Abraham")). Luke, however, traces Jesus's lineage backward from Jesus (through Joseph, His legal father) all the way to Adam ([Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Jesus's Genealogy to Adam")). The significance of Luke tracing it back to Adam is to emphasize Jesus's universal appeal and His role as the Savior of all humanity, not just the Jewish people. By connecting Jesus to Adam, the progenitor of all mankind, Luke highlights that Jesus came to redeem all people, making Him the "second Adam" who reverses the curse brought by the first Adam's sin.

**Why are these specific names (Mattathias, Amos, Naum, Esli, Nagge) important if they are not prominent figures in the Old Testament?**

Answer: While these names are not prominent figures with extensive biblical narratives, their inclusion is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they underscore the **historical veracity** of Jesus's lineage, demonstrating that His ancestry was a real, verifiable human history, not a mythological construct. Secondly, they highlight God's **sovereign faithfulness** in preserving the Messianic line through countless generations, even through individuals who may have lived ordinary lives. Every name, regardless of its fame, represents a vital link in the chain of God's redemptive plan. Their obscurity reminds us that God works through all people, known and unknown, to accomplish His purposes, validating the authenticity and divine orchestration of Jesus's arrival.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly dry list of names in [Luke 3:25](/luke/3-25 "Luke 3:25 - Part of Jesus's Genealogy") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in establishing Jesus's authentic humanity and His universal redemptive mission. This genealogy meticulously demonstrates that Jesus was truly "born of a woman, born under the law" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son")), fully participating in the human experience. His connection through Mattathias, Amos, and others, all the way back to Adam, underscores His solidarity with all humanity, making Him the perfect representative and atoning sacrifice for sin. As the "second Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The First and Last Adam")), Jesus reverses the destructive legacy of the first Adam's disobedience, offering life and righteousness where Adam brought death and condemnation ([Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Romans 5:12-19 - Adam and Christ Compared")). This lineage, therefore, is not merely a historical record but a profound theological statement: God entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to redeem all of humanity, fulfilling ancient promises and inaugurating a new creation where all who believe, regardless of their own lineage, are united in Him ([Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Unity in Christ")).

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.