Matthew 1:3
and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This genealogy doesn't just list names; it deliberately includes Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act, to show that Jesus' lineage, despite its imperfections, is part of God's redemptive plan. It highlights that even within difficult circumstances, God's promises can still unfold.
This verse marks the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Judah, one of Jacob's sons. It highlights significant, and sometimes scandalous, figures like Tamar, whose story of deception and persistence is recounted in Genesis, showing that even through difficult circumstances, God's plan unfolds. This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the lineage, which will eventually lead to David and then to Jesus.
Why are women, especially those with questionable pasts, named in Jesus' royal family tree? It's more than just filling in blanks.
Matthew's genealogy is carefully crafted. While Jewish tradition usually listed only fathers, Matthew deliberately includes four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (who was married to Uriah).
Why These Women?
These women weren't chosen by accident. Their inclusion shouts a powerful message: Jesus came for the marginalized, the sinners, the outsiders. His lineage isn't just about royal blood; it's about the radical, inclusive grace of God reaching out to all people.
Incest, adultery, and questionable marriages – how can these be part of the Messiah's family tree?
Matthew doesn't sanitize the past. He lays bare the messy reality of human sin, even within the lineage of faith.
Tamar's Bold Act:
Judah intended to deny Tamar, his daughter-in-law, a husband and heir according to custom. In a desperate and unconventional move, she disguised herself as a prostitute and conceived twins, Perez and Zerah, by Judah himself (Genesis 38). This act, born of deception and illegality, resulted in these two sons being listed as ancestors of Jesus.
God's Sovereignty Over Sin:
Matthew highlights Tamar, a foreign woman and participant in a morally complex situation, within Jesus' lineage to emphasize that Christ came to embrace all people, even those with questionable backgrounds.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
Judah and Tamar's story
Judah, son of Jacob, has children with Tamar, his daughter-in-law, leading to the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah. This event is recorded in Genesis 38.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, descendants of Judah's line, are freed from slavery in Egypt, marking a pivotal moment in their history.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King
King David establishes a united kingdom of Israel, and a covenant is made that his descendants will rule forever.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
586 BC
This is the Old Testament account of Judah and Tamar, detailing their scandalous encounter and the birth of Perez and Zerah, which is directly referenced here.
Ruth 4:13-22This passage shows the continuation of the line through Perez to David, highlighting how Tamar's offspring became ancestors of the king.
1 Chronicles 2:3-15This Old Testament genealogy also traces the line from Judah through Perez to David, offering a parallel account of this lineage.
Matthew 1:16This verse directly contrasts the legal lineage through Joseph with the actual birth of Jesus by Mary, emphasizing the significance of the women mentioned earlier in the genealogy.
bensonMatthew 1:3: "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;"
Matthew 1:3 . And Judas begat Phares and Zara — Some have observed that these sons of Judah are mentioned together because they were twins born at the same time: but if this had been a reason for assigning Zara the honour of being named in this genealogy, Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, ought to have obtained it likewise. He seems rather to be mentioned to prevent any mistake. For if he had…
clarkeMatthew 1:3: "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;"
Phares and Zara - The remarkable history of these twins may be seen, Genesis 38 :Some of the ancients were of opinion, that the evangelist refers to the mystery of the youngest being preferred to the eldest, as prefiguring the exaltation of the Christian Church over the synagogue. Concerning the women whose names are recorded in this genealogy, see the note at the end of the chapter, ( Matthe…
This genealogy doesn't just list names; it deliberately includes Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act, to show that Jesus' lineage, despite its imperfections, is part of God's redemptive plan. It highlights that even within difficult circumstances, God's promises can still unfold.
This verse marks the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Judah, one of Jacob's sons. It highlights significant, and sometimes scandalous, figures like Tamar, whose story of deception and persistence is recounted in Genesis, showing that even through difficult circumstances, God's plan unfolds. This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the lineage, which will eventually lead to David and then to Jesus.
This verse marks the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Judah, one of Jacob's sons. It highlights significant, and sometimes scandalous, figures like Tamar, whose story of deception and persistence is recounted in Genesis, showing that even through difficult circumstances, God's plan unfolds. This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the lineage, which will eventually lead to David and then to Jesus.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 1:3 is available in the Sola app.
The inclusion of Tamar's story, and the similar shadowy circumstances of other women like Rahab and Bathsheba, serves as a profound testament to God's sovereign power. Even amidst human sin and brokenness, God works out His redemptive plan. He doesn't wait for perfect people; He uses imperfect people and their flawed histories to bring about His perfect purposes, ultimately leading to the birth of the Savior.
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many of the people, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple and their community.
"and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram," — This genealogy doesn't just list names; it deliberately includes Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act, to show that Jesus' lineage, despite its imperfections, is part of God's redempti…
