Luke 3:25 (KJV)

What does Luke 3:25 mean?

Luke 3:25 lists part of Jesus’ genealogy, naming Mattathias, Amos, Naum, Esli, and Nagge as ancestors. This verse is one link in the longer family line that Luke traces to show Jesus’ human heritage.

In this section of Luke’s Gospel, Luke is recording Jesus’ lineage, likely for his readers to see Jesus’ connection to Israel’s history. The verse is part of a formal genealogy, not a narrative or teaching, and simply records the names as they were known in tradition.

The Greek behind Luke 3:25

• Ματταθίας (Mattathias, G3161): This name means "gift of Yahweh" and is a common Jewish name, showing the continuity of Jewish heritage in Jesus’ line.
• Ἀμώς (Amos, G301): This name is the same as the Old Testament prophet, though this Amos is not the same person, highlighting the use of well-known names in Jewish families.
• Ναούμ (Naum, G3486): This is the Greek form of "Nahum," another Old Testament prophet’s name, again showing the tradition of naming children after respected figures.
• Ἐσλί (Esli, G2069) and Ναγγαί (Nagge, G3477): These names are less familiar and do not appear elsewhere in the Bible, reminding readers that not every ancestor is famous, but all are part of the story.

Why Luke 3:25 matters

• Luke 3:25 helps show that Jesus’ ancestry includes both well-known and unknown figures, emphasizing his real human roots.
• This verse is part of Luke’s effort to connect Jesus to the broader story of Israel, underlining that Jesus belongs to the people and promises of God’s history.
• By including lesser-known names, Luke’s genealogy reminds readers that every person in God’s story matters, not just the famous ones.