Luke 3:31
What does Luke 3:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:31 means
Tracing back further, this verse lists ancestors from Melea to David. The inclusion of Nathan and particularly King David is profoundly significant. This directly connects Jesus to David's royal line, fulfilling the central Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be a descendant of David and would establish an everlasting kingdom. This firmly establishes Jesus' claim to the Messianic throne.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the <FI>son<Fi> of Melea, the <FI>son<Fi> of Mainan, the <FI>son<Fi> of Mattatha, the <FI>son<Fi> of Nathan,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who was of Melea, who was of Menna, who was of Mathatha, who was of Nathan, who was of David,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890of Meleas, of Menan, of Mattatha, of Nathan, of David,
Context
This verse marks a significant point in the genealogy, bringing the lineage back to King David, a crucial figure in Old Testament prophecy. It follows the preceding lengthy lists of ancestors, providing a high point in the tracing of Jesus' royal descent. The connection to David is paramount for establishing Jesus' Messianic claims, setting up the even earlier and foundational patriarchs.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 14:4
And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
- 1 Chronicles 3:5
and these were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;
- 2 Samuel 5:14
And these are the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
- Zechariah 12:12
And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
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