the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Solomon, Luke deliberately switches to Nathan, David's other son, to emphasize Jesus' connection not just to royal lineage, but to the broader flow of humanity descended from David. This shift highlights Jesus as a savior for all, not just for a specific royal line.
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam and God. It follows the birth of Jesus as the supposed son of Joseph, and then begins listing Joseph's ancestors, focusing on the line through David's son Nathan, which differs from Matthew's genealogy tracing through Solomon. This detailed ancestry serves to establish Jesus' Messianic credentials and his connection to God's promises for humanity.
Matthew and Luke give us Jesus' family tree, but they take different routes! How does Luke's path through David's son Nathan connect to Jesus' royal claim?
Luke's genealogy, unlike Matthew's, traces Jesus' lineage through Nathan, another son of David. This highlights that the Messiah's royal right wasn't just through the kingly line of Solomon, but also through David's other significant descendants.
A Different Royal Branch
Why list all these names? These genealogies aren't just historical records; they're theological statements about God's faithfulness and Jesus' identity.
The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke serve crucial purposes beyond simply listing ancestors. They powerfully declare God's plan unfolding through human history.
Divine Purpose in Human Lines
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Understand the original words
David · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Hebrew term for 'beloved' or 'friend', referring to the second king of Israel. He is the central figure in the Davidic Covenant, through whose lineage the Messiah was promised to come.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes a united monarchy in Israel, with a covenant promise from God that his royal line would endure forever. This sets the stage for the Messianic lineage.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Construction
Solomon, son of David, succeeds his father. While Matthew's genealogy follows this royal line, Luke's traces Jesus' lineage through David's son Nathan, highlighting a different branch of David's family.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The southern kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, and the royal line of David is significantly disrupted. This period marks a shift from direct kingship to a period of waiting and exile.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. Though the monarchy is not restored, a remnant of David's line, like Zerubbabel, emerges, maintaining hope for the promised Messiah.
c. 20 BC - AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Life and Ministry
Jesus is born into a lineage that traces back through David's son Nathan. His life, death, and resurrection fulfill the ancient prophecies and promises associated with David's royal line.
This passage also lists David as an ancestor, but follows the line through Solomon, highlighting Jesus' royal lineage through Matthew's legal perspective, contrasting Luke's genealogical tracing.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This is the foundational promise of God to David that his lineage would endure forever, a prophecy directly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose ancestry is being traced in Luke.
Zechariah 12:10-12This prophetic passage speaks of the house of David mourning in repentance, underscoring the importance of David's lineage and hinting at a future Messianic figure emerging from it.
Luke 1:32-33This passage directly states that Jesus will be called the Son of the Most High and will reign on the throne of David forever, confirming the significance of the Davidic line being traced in Luke's genealogy.
pooleLuke 3:31: "Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,"
See Poole on "Luke 3:24"
bengelLuke 3:31: "Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,"
Luke 3:31 . Τοῦ Ναθὰν , Nathan ) [Luke substitutes him for Solomon, who is put down by Matthew here in this series, because that Mary drew her descent from Nathan, or else because Joseph derived his genealogy alike from Solomon and from Nathan; for it was a common practice of the Jews to adopt some one of their nearest relatives in the plac…
While Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Solomon, Luke deliberately switches to Nathan, David's other son, to emphasize Jesus' connection not just to royal lineage, but to the broader flow of humanity descended from David. This shift highlights Jesus as a savior for all, not just for a specific royal line.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam and God. It follows the birth of Jesus as the supposed son of Joseph, and then begins listing Joseph's ancestors, focusing on the line through David's son Nathan, which differs from Matthew's genealogy tracing through Solomon. This detailed ancestry serves to establish Jesus' Messianic credentials and his connection to God's promises for humanity.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam and God. It follows the birth of Jesus as the supposed son of Joseph, and then begins listing Joseph's ancestors, focusing on the line through David's son Nathan, which differs from Matthew's genealogy tracing through Solomon. This detailed ancestry serves to establish Jesus' Messianic credentials and his connection to God's promises for humanity.
"the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David," — While Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Solomon, Luke deliberately switches to Nathan, David's other son, to emphasize Jesus' connection not just to royal lineage, but to the broader flow of huma…
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Last reviewed October 2026