the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
English Standard Version (ESV)
While this passage lists ancestors, the crucial detail is that it focuses on a lineage of Zerubbabel, who was instrumental in rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. This highlights Jesus as the one who would ultimately fulfill the promises of God's presence and restoration, not just for Israel, but for all nations.
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Luke's genealogy of Jesus now traces his lineage from Joseph through David's line, all the way back to Adam. This passage lists prominent figures like Zerubbabel and Shealtiel, continuing the detailed account that spans from Jesus's birth and baptism to his ministry. The goal is to establish Jesus's legal and physical descent, connecting him directly to Abraham and David, and ultimately to humanity's first father.
Matthew and Luke present different lists of Jesus' ancestors. How can both be true, and what does this tell us about God's plan?
The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, while appearing different, ultimately serve the same purpose: to establish Jesus' legitimate claim as the Messiah.
Matthew's Focus
Matthew, writing primarily for a Jewish audience, emphasizes Jesus' royal lineage through King David, tracing it through Solomon. He structures his genealogy in three sets of fourteen, highlighting the legal and royal line. His list begins with Abraham, the father of the chosen nation.
Luke's Broader Scope
Luke, writing for a wider, Gentile audience, traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, the father of all humanity. He seems to follow a more natural, biological line and may present Mary's lineage, while Matthew presents Joseph's legal line. This broader perspective underscores Jesus' role as the Savior for all people.
Reconciling the Differences
Scholars have proposed various ways to reconcile the lists, including the concept of a levirate marriage (where a brother marries his deceased brother's widow to produce an heir) or one genealogy being legal and the other natural. Regardless of the precise explanation, the core message is that Jesus is the promised descendant of David, fulfilling God's covenant, and also the Son of Man, here to save everyone.
Ask a follow-up
Two prominent names, Zerubbabel and Shealtiel, appear in Jesus' lineage. Who were they, and why are they so significant?
Zerubbabel and Shealtiel are crucial figures in the post-exilic period, representing a pivotal moment in Israel's history and the continuation of David's line.
Zerubbabel: The Restorer
Zerubbabel was a leader who returned from Babylonian exile and played a key role in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. He represented the hope for national restoration and the re-establishment of worship after years of desolation. His leadership symbolized the faithfulness of God to His promises even after judgment.
Shealtiel: The Link
Shealtiel, often listed as Zerubbabel's father (though some traditions suggest otherwise), serves as a vital link between the pre-exilic royal line and the post-exilic leadership. His inclusion, along with Zerubbabel's, anchors Jesus' lineage to the covenant promises made to David, which seemed nearly extinguished during the exile.
Significance for Jesus
By including these names, Luke emphasizes that Jesus is not just a descendant of David in theory, but that his lineage directly connects to the faithful remnant who experienced God's redemptive power after the exile. They are tangible proof that God's plan for a king from David's line was never abandoned.
Understand the original words
Zorobabel · Greek (derived from Hebrew) Proper Noun
A name of Hebrew origin (Zerubbabel) meaning 'seed of Babylon,' referring to the post-exilic leader who oversaw the rebuilding of the second Temple in Jerusalem. He is a pivotal figure in the royal lineage leading to the Messiah.
Salathiēl · Greek (derived from Hebrew) Proper Noun
A name of Hebrew origin (Shealtiel) meaning 'I have asked of God,' referring to the father of Zerubbabel. He represents a critical link in the Davidic line preserved during the Babylonian exile.
This genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage back through Davidic figures like Zerubbabel, highlights His connection to the royal line and the promises of a coming king, even amidst the complex history of Jewish return, rebuilding, and subsequent Roman rule.
c. 540 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
After decades of exile in Babylon, many Jewish exiles, including descendants of David's line like Zerubbabel, were allowed to return to Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, the Second Temple was completed in Jerusalem, a significant moment of restored worship and national identity.
c. 458 BC - 430 BC
Post-Exilic Period
Following the return from exile, the community in Judea gradually rebuilt their society and religious life, grappling with rebuilding efforts and maintaining their identity amidst foreign powers.
c. 167 BC - 142 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A period of intense conflict against the Seleucid Empire, leading to a brief period of Jewish independence under the Hasmonean dynasty.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
The Roman Republic intervened in Judean politics, eventually leading to Roman rule and the appointment of client kings, significantly impacting the region's governance.
c. 1 BC - AD 1
Herodian Dynasty
The Herodian dynasty, appointed by Rome, ruled Judea during the time leading up to Jesus' birth, marked by both construction projects and political instability.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry around the age of 30, a time when priestly duties and prophetic movements were significant within Jewish society.
This passage also lists Zerubbabel and Shealtiel in Jesus' lineage, but highlights a different sequence, underscoring the complexity and potential legal vs. natural lines in tracing royal descent.
1 Chronicles 3:17-19This Old Testament passage provides a lineage from David through Zerubbabel, offering a source for some of the names and showing the continuity of David's royal line through the post-exilic period.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This passage contains God's promise to David that his descendant would have an everlasting kingdom, providing the foundational Messianic expectation that validates the importance of these genealogies.
Nehemiah 12:1-7This list includes Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, and a son named Joanan (similar to Joanna in Luke), connecting these key figures to the post-exilic period and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
gillLuke 3:27: "Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,"
Which was the son of Joanna,.... Johannes, or John, the son of Rhesa Mesullam, who governed fifty three years: which was the son of Rhesa, called, by the above writer, Rhesa Mesullam; 1 Chronicles 3:19 and said, by him, to govern sixty six years: which was the son of Zorobabel who governed fifty eight years: which was the son of Salathi…
henryLuke 3:23-38: "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,"
3:23-38 Matthew's list of the forefathers of Jesus showed that Christ was the son of Abraham, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed, and heir to the throne of David; but Luke shows that Jesus was the Seed of the woman that should break the serpent's head, and traces the line up to Adam, beginning with Eli, or Heli, the father, not of Joseph,…
While this passage lists ancestors, the crucial detail is that it focuses on a lineage of Zerubbabel, who was instrumental in rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. This highlights Jesus as the one who would ultimately fulfill the promises of God's presence and restoration, not just for Israel, but for all nations.
Luke's genealogy of Jesus now traces his lineage from Joseph through David's line, all the way back to Adam. This passage lists prominent figures like Zerubbabel and Shealtiel, continuing the detailed account that spans from Jesus's birth and baptism to his ministry. The goal is to establish Jesus's legal and physical descent, connecting him directly to Abraham and David, and ultimately to humanity's first father.
Luke's genealogy of Jesus now traces his lineage from Joseph through David's line, all the way back to Adam. This passage lists prominent figures like Zerubbabel and Shealtiel, continuing the detailed account that spans from Jesus's birth and baptism to his ministry. The goal is to establish Jesus's legal and physical descent, connecting him directly to Abraham and David, and ultimately to humanity's first father.
"the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri," — While this passage lists ancestors, the crucial detail is that it focuses on a lineage of Zerubbabel, who was instrumental in rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. This highlights Jesus…
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Last reviewed October 2026