New Testament · Gospel

Luke 3:25

Preparing the Way

the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, Luke 3:25 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 3:25, in plain English

The line continues through Mattathias, Amos, Nahum, Esli, and Naggai—generation after generation, keeping the promise alive.

Why it's here

Even during centuries of silence and hardship, God's plan kept moving. Each generation faithfully passed the torch to the next.

Who's speaking

Luke continues the genealogy through lesser-known ancestors.

Where it sits in the story

Name after name, generation after generation—the thread of God's promise was never broken. These people may be forgotten by history, but they were essential to God's plan.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The genealogy continues: the son of Mattathias, Amos, Nahum, Esli, Naggai. These names from the intertestamental period further demonstrate the unbroken lineage despite historical disruptions.

Language and setting

The preservation of genealogical records through exile, return, and foreign occupation testifies to Israel's commitment to lineage documentation and God's covenant faithfulness.

Voice

Luke records another segment of the ancestral chain.

Significance

Through exile, foreign rule, and centuries of upheaval, the genealogical thread remained unbroken. God's promise to send a Messiah through David's line was never at risk.

In context

Luke 3:23–27

23Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,

24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,

27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

Read all of Luke 3 — John the Baptist doesn't just call for repentance — he gets specific. Tax collectors, soldiers, and crowds all hear what it costs to change.

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