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,

LUKE 3:24KJV
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Luke 3:24 (KJV)

What does Luke 3:24 mean?

Luke 3:24 lists part of Jesus’ genealogy, naming several ancestors: Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Janna, and Joseph. This verse is one link in a longer chain showing Jesus’ human family line, as recorded by Luke.

Luke is writing to provide a careful historical account of Jesus’ life, and here he is tracing Jesus’ lineage through his earthly family. This genealogy is important in Luke’s Gospel because it connects Jesus to the broader story of Israel and shows his place in human history, emphasizing that he truly became part of the human family.

Why Luke 3:24 matters

  • Luke’s genealogy is different from the one in Matthew, and this verse is part of that unique list, which helps readers see that the Gospel writers had different purposes and sources.
  • By naming each ancestor, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ real, traceable human heritage, which was important for early readers who wanted to know Jesus’ background.
  • This verse helps set up the larger point Luke makes in his genealogy: connecting Jesus all the way back to Adam, highlighting Jesus’ connection to all humanity, not just to Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Matthat” Greek G3158 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 3:29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

“Melchi” Greek G3197 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 3:28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

“Levi” Greek G3017 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 3:29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,
  • Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
  • Hebrews 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

“Joseph” Greek G2501 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  • Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
  • John 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.