Keraia
Luke 3

Luke 3:27

The Genealogy of Jesus · Luke 3:23–38
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Translations

Modern
…the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
Traditional
Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,
Literal
…of Joannen, of Rhesa, of Zerubbabel, of Shealtiel, of Neri,
Latin
…qui fuit Joanna, qui fuit Resa, qui fuit Zorobabel, qui fuit Salathiel, qui fuit Neri,

Original

Greek
English
…the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

Notes

Luke 3:27

Zerubbabel was the governor of Judea. The Persians chose him when the Jews returned from exile in Babylon. He supervised the effort to build the temple again (Ezra 3:2, 8).

Luke 3:23–38

This record of the family line of Jesus is in the opposite order from Matthew’s list (Matthew 1:1–17). Luke traces the family line of Jesus back to Adam. This may show that Jesus is connected to all people as the Son of God (Luke 3:38).

Matthew’s list moves from Abraham down to Joseph. It shows that Jesus is the rightful heir (legal ruler) of David’s throne and the one who receives God’s promises to Abraham.

The two lists are very different. Because of this, some people suggest that Luke’s list is actually Mary’s family line (see study note on 3:23). If so, Mary may have been one of Luke’s main sources when he wrote his Gospel.

Theme notes and profiles

Judah Ancestors of Jesus

Parallels

Ruth 4:18–22 Matthew 1:1–17

People

Joanan: An ancestor of Jesus Christ Neri: Ancestor of Jesus Rhesa: Son of Zerubbabel, ancestor of Jesus Shealtiel: Ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy Zerubbabel: Ancestor of Jesus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genealogy Genealogy of Jesus Christ Haggai, Book of Joanan Joanna Luke, Gospel of Messiah Neri Rhesa Salathiel Shealtiel Zerubbabel Zorobabel

Topics

Genealogies of Christ: Given Genealogy of Joseph Genealogy: To Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Genealogy of Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Joanan: An Ancestor of Jesus Joseph: Husband of Mary: His Genealogy Neri: An Ancestor of Jesus Rhesa: An Ancestor of Jesus Shealtiel: Father of Zerubbabel and an Ancestor of Jesus The Human Nature of Christ: Genealogy of the Tribe of Judah: out Lord Sprang From Zerubbabel: Called Zorobabel in the Genealogy of Joseph Zorobabel: An Ancestor of Joseph