Luke 3:27 (KJV)

What does Luke 3:27 mean?

Luke 3:27 lists part of Jesus’ ancestry, naming Joanna, Rhesa, Zorobabel, Salathiel, and Neri as ancestors in his family line. This verse is one link in the genealogy that Luke records to show Jesus’ human lineage.

Luke is writing to provide a record of Jesus’ earthly family, tracing his heritage through generations. In this section, Luke is listing names that connect Jesus back to important figures in Jewish history, such as Zorobabel (Zerubbabel), who played a key role after the Babylonian exile. The verse is part of a longer genealogy meant to establish Jesus’ roots in Israel’s story.

The Greek behind Luke 3:27

• Ἰωαννᾶ (Iōanna, “Joanna”): This name is not the same as the female Joanna found elsewhere in Luke; here, it refers to a male ancestor in Jesus’ genealogy.
• Ῥησά (Rhēsa, “Rhesa”): This name is unique to Luke’s genealogy and does not appear in the Old Testament lists, highlighting some differences between Luke’s and Matthew’s genealogies.
• Ζοροβάβελ (Zorobabel, “Zorobabel”): This is the Greek form of Zerubbabel, a significant leader who helped rebuild Jerusalem’s temple after the exile, anchoring Jesus’ lineage in Israel’s restoration history.
• Σαλαθιήλ (Salathiēl, “Salathiel”): Salathiel is known as Zerubbabel’s father in Old Testament records, and his inclusion here ties Jesus’ ancestry to the line of David.
• Νηρεί (Nēri, “Neri”): Neri is only mentioned in Luke’s genealogy and not in the Old Testament, suggesting Luke may be drawing from a different family tradition or source.

Why Luke 3:27 matters

• Luke 3:27 highlights that Jesus’ ancestry includes both well-known and lesser-known figures, showing his connection to the full sweep of Israel’s history.
• The verse shows that Luke’s genealogy differs from Matthew’s, which can prompt careful readers to notice the distinct purposes and sources each Gospel writer may have used.
• By including names like Zorobabel and Salathiel, Luke links Jesus to the period of Israel’s return from exile, emphasizing themes of restoration and hope in Jesus’ story.