Matthew 1:3 (KJV)

What does Matthew 1:3 mean?

Matthew 1:3 lists part of Jesus’ family line, naming Judah (called Judas in Greek) as the father of Perez (Phares) and Zerah (Zara) by Tamar (Thamar), then tracing the line through Perez to Hezron (Esrom) and Aram. This verse is part of the genealogy at the start of Matthew’s Gospel, showing Jesus’ ancestry through key Old Testament figures.

Matthew is writing to show Jesus’ legal and historical connection to the people of Israel, especially to the tribe of Judah. By including Tamar, a woman with an unusual story in Genesis, Matthew signals that God’s plan has worked through unexpected people and situations. The genealogy links Jesus to promises made long before, grounding his story in Israel’s history.

The Greek behind Matthew 1:3

• Ἰούδας (Ioudas): This is the Greek form of "Judah," the son of Jacob. The use of this name ties Jesus directly to the tribe of Judah, which was prophesied to produce the Messiah.
• ἐγέννησεν (egennēsen): This word means "begat" or "became the father of." In genealogies, it marks the direct line of descent, emphasizing the legal and familial connections.
• Θάμαρ (Thamar): Naming Tamar is unusual for ancient genealogies, which rarely mention women. Including her highlights that God often works through unexpected people and circumstances.

Why Matthew 1:3 matters

• Matthew 1:3 highlights that Jesus’ family tree includes people with complicated stories, showing that God’s purposes are not limited by human expectations or failures.
• The verse connects Jesus to Judah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s lineage and reinforcing his claim as the promised descendant.
• By naming Tamar, Matthew signals that the Gospel includes outsiders and those on the margins, setting a tone for themes that will appear throughout his book.