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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Which was the son of Maath {G3092}, which was the son of Mattathias {G3161}, which was the son of Semei {G4584}, which was the son of Joseph {G2501}, which was the son of Juda {G2455},

Complete Jewish Bible

of Machat, of Mattityahu, of Shim`i, of Yosef, of Yodah,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:26 forms a specific entry within the meticulously recorded genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage backward through Maath, Mattathias, Semei, Joseph, and Juda. This verse is part of Luke's broader purpose to establish Jesus's full humanity and historical rootedness, connecting Him not only to the royal line of David but ultimately to Adam and, by extension, to God Himself, thereby underscoring His universal significance as Savior for all mankind.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 3:26 is situated within the expansive genealogy of Jesus Christ, which commences in [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Jesus's Genealogy Begins") and extends to [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Jesus's Lineage to Adam"). Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which primarily traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham through Joseph's legal line to establish His royal claim as Messiah to the Jewish people (as seen in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Matthew's Genealogy")), Luke's account uniquely traces backward from Jesus through Mary's line (represented by Joseph as her husband and son-in-law to Heli) all the way to Adam, and ultimately to God. This backward progression emphasizes Jesus's universal connection to all humanity and His role as the "second Adam." The repetitive "which was [the son] of" structure reinforces the unbroken historical continuity of God's redemptive plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies held immense importance in ancient Jewish culture, serving as vital records for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and, crucially, messianic claims. For a figure to be recognized as the Messiah, their lineage had to be verifiable, particularly a connection to the house of David, as prophesied (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - Davidic Covenant")). The phrase "son of" in ancient genealogies did not always imply direct biological father-son relationships but could also denote legal descent, adoption, or a son-in-law relationship, as is often understood in Luke's tracing of Joseph's lineage through Heli (Mary's father). This flexibility allowed for the inclusion of various forms of legitimate succession, ensuring the continuity of the family line and the preservation of historical records. Luke's detailed list of names, even obscure ones like those in [Luke 3:26](/luke/3-26 "Luke 3:26 - Genealogy of Jesus"), underscores the historical reality of Jesus's human ancestry.

* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of Luke 3:26 within Jesus's genealogy contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus's **full humanity and historical reality**, grounding His earthly existence firmly in a verifiable human lineage, emphasizing that He was a real person with a genuine family tree, not a mythical figure. Secondly, the long, unbroken chain of generations, including the seemingly ordinary individuals listed here, powerfully illustrates **God's divine sovereignty and meticulous plan** unfolding throughout history. Every individual, known or unknown to us, played a part in the divine orchestration leading to the birth of the Messiah. This meticulous record underscores God's faithfulness across millennia. Thirdly, by tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam (as seen in [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Lineage to Adam")), Luke broadens the scope of Jesus's mission beyond Israel, emphasizing the **universality of Christ's salvation**. He is presented as the Savior for all mankind, the "second Adam" who comes to redeem all who descended from the first, a theme central to Luke's Gospel, which often highlights Jesus's ministry to Gentiles and marginalized groups.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maath (Greek, _Maáth'_):** As an Israelite name, Maath, though obscure, represents a link in the unbroken chain of human generations leading to Jesus. Its inclusion underscores the meticulous nature of Luke's record and God's sovereign oversight even of seemingly minor figures in His grand plan.
* **Joseph (Greek, _Iōsḗph'_):** This name, meaning "He (God) adds" or "may He add," is highly significant in biblical history, borne by the patriarch Joseph (son of Jacob) and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Its appearance here, several generations before Jesus's earthly father, highlights the commonality of names within lineages and God's consistent working through individuals across time.
* **Juda (Greek, _Ioúdas'_):** This name, derived from the Hebrew "Judah" (meaning "praise"), is profoundly significant, connecting this individual to the tribe from which the Messiah was prophesied to come ([Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Genesis 49:10 - Scepter from Judah")). Its presence in the genealogy reinforces the authenticity of Jesus's lineage as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which was [the son] of Maath,"**: This phrase introduces Maath as a direct ancestor in Jesus's lineage, emphasizing the continuity of the family line. The repetitive structure highlights the unbroken chain of generations.
* **"which was [the son] of Mattathias,"**: Continuing the genealogical progression, this clause identifies Mattathias as the father of Maath, further extending the historical record backward in time.
* **"which was [the son] of Semei,"**: Semei is presented as the next preceding ancestor, reinforcing the meticulous detail of Luke's account and the historical depth of Jesus's human origins.
* **"which was [the son] of Joseph,"**: This Joseph, distinct from Jesus's earthly father, is another link in the long chain, indicating the prevalence of this significant name within the lineage and the careful tracing of each generation.
* **"which was [the son] of Juda,"**: The final clause in this verse identifies Juda as an ancestor, connecting the lineage to a name of profound tribal and messianic significance, further validating Jesus's ancestral claims.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 3:26, as part of the broader genealogy, primarily employs **Repetition** through the recurring phrase "which was [the son] of." This consistent phrasing serves to emphasize the unbroken, continuous nature of the lineage, reinforcing its historical legitimacy and the direct succession of generations. The entire genealogy itself functions as a form of **List** or **Catalogue**, a common ancient literary device used to establish historical records, assert claims of identity, and demonstrate continuity. By presenting a detailed list of names, Luke employs **Historical Documentation** as a literary strategy, grounding the theological claims about Jesus in verifiable, albeit ancient, human history. This meticulous listing also subtly conveys **Emphasis** on the human, tangible reality of Jesus's existence, making Him relatable and historically accessible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 3:26, as a segment of Jesus's genealogy, profoundly underscores God's meticulous faithfulness and sovereign involvement in human history. It reveals that God works through generations, orchestrating seemingly ordinary lives and events to fulfill His extraordinary redemptive plan. The inclusion of these names, many of whom are otherwise unknown to us, highlights that every individual, regardless of their prominence, plays a part in God's grand narrative. This meticulous record validates Jesus's identity as the promised Messiah, demonstrating that His arrival was not accidental but the culmination of centuries of divine preparation and human lineage. It speaks to the truth that God's purposes are long-term, patient, and ultimately inevitable, providing a foundation of trust in His unfolding will for the world.

* [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant") - God's promise to bless all families of the earth through Abraham's lineage, foreshadowing the universal scope of Jesus's mission.
* [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son") - Emphasizes that God sent His Son "in the fullness of time," highlighting the divine timing and preparation evident in the long genealogy.
* [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Shared in Humanity") - States that Jesus "shared in their humanity," a truth powerfully illustrated by His extensive human genealogy.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might seem dry or irrelevant at first glance, Luke 3:26, as part of Jesus's genealogy, offers profound insights for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God works through generations, often using ordinary people in His extraordinary plan. Each name represents a life, a story, and a connection in the unbroken chain leading to the Messiah. This detailed ancestry validates Jesus's claim as the promised Messiah and highlights God's unwavering faithfulness across countless years. It encourages us to trust in God's long-term purposes, knowing that He meticulously orchestrates history to bring about His perfect will, even through seemingly small or insignificant details like the names in a family tree. For us, it means recognizing our own place in God's ongoing story, understanding that our lives, too, are part of His grand design, and that He can use us, just as He used these ancestors, to further His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Jesus's genealogy, even in seemingly obscure names like those in Luke 3:26, deepen your appreciation for God's sovereignty and faithfulness?**
* **What does Jesus's extensive human lineage, tracing back to Adam, teach us about His solidarity with humanity and His role as the universal Savior?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's long-term plan, evidenced by the genealogy, encourage you to trust Him with the seemingly small or slow processes in your own life or in the world?**

### FAQ

**Why does Luke's genealogy differ from Matthew's, and which one is "correct"?**

Answer: Both Luke's and Matthew's genealogies are correct, serving different theological purposes and likely tracing different lines. Matthew's genealogy ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Matthew's Genealogy")) traces Jesus's lineage forward through Joseph's legal line, emphasizing His royal descent from Abraham and David to establish His claim as the Jewish Messiah. Luke's genealogy ([Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Luke's Genealogy")) traces backward from Jesus, commonly understood to be through Mary's lineage (with Joseph listed as "son of Heli," likely his father-in-law), all the way to Adam and God. Luke's purpose is to highlight Jesus's full humanity and His universal significance as the Savior for all mankind, not just for Israel. The differences are complementary, not contradictory, providing a comprehensive picture of Jesus's unique identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:26, as an integral part of Jesus's genealogy, points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the culmination of human history. Each name in this long list, though often obscure, represents a step in God's sovereign plan to bring forth His Son into the world "in the fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son")). This meticulous record underscores Jesus's genuine humanity, affirming that He was truly "born of a woman" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - Born of a Woman")) and fully identified with the human condition, making Him a sympathetic High Priest who can relate to our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Our High Priest")). By tracing His lineage back to Adam ([Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Lineage to Adam")), Luke presents Jesus as the "second Adam," the one who reverses the curse of the first Adam's sin and offers redemption to all humanity ([Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Romans 5:12-19 - Adam and Christ")). Thus, even these seemingly mundane names in a list ultimately bear witness to the profound truth that Jesus is the divinely appointed Savior, the historical person through whom God's eternal purposes for salvation are perfectly realized.

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.