What does Luke 3:27 mean?

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, Luke 3:27

Explanation

Luke 3:27 situates itself within the genealogy of Jesus, as provided by the Gospel of Luke. This verse specifically lists a sequence of five ancestors of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Joanna through to Neri. Unlike the genealogical record in the Gospel of Matthew, which traces Jesus’ legal lineage through Joseph to King David and Abraham, Luke’s genealogy emphasizes a biological lineage and extends further back through history to Adam, and ultimately God. This particular verse focuses on a part of the genealogy that includes Zerubbabel and Salathiel, notable figures in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke is widely believed to have been written around 80-110 AD. Luke’s genealogy shows a strong Hellenistic influence, which is characterized by a meticulous recording of familial lines commonly used to instill honor upon individuals in the Greek culture. Furthermore, Zerubbabel and Salathiel were historically significant leaders post-Babylonian exile, as they played roles in the restoration of Judah. Mentioning these names would have resonated with Jewish readers who held oral traditions and records of their ancestry in high esteem.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse contributes to a major theme in Luke’s Gospel: the universal salvation through Christ. By charting Jesus’ genealogy to Adam, and not just Abraham, Luke illustrates that Jesus is not just the savior for Jews but for all of humanity. Moreover, Zerubbabel’s presence points to messianic hopes tied to David’s lineage, as he was a descendant of David and thus Jesus’ connection to David is retained in both lines. Scholars also debate the differences between the genealogies in Matthew and Luke, which might represent different theological emphases or different sources of information.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can encourage believers on the importance of understanding their heritage and history. It also teaches Christians to acknowledge God’s plan across generations and that their faith is deeply rooted in history. For personal application, it inspires individuals to consider how they are part of a larger narrative and encourages them to reflect on the legacy they want to leave for their descendants.

Cross-References

• Matthew 1:12-13: “And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;”
• Ezra 3:2: “Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.”
• Haggai 1:1: “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest,”

Language Study

• “Joanna” is believed to be a Greek contraction of the Hebrew name Jehohanan, which means “The Lord is gracious”.
• “Rhesa” does not appear elsewhere in the Bible, and its meaning is uncertain but may be of Aramaic or Hebrew origin, possibly meaning ‘head’ or ‘prince’.
• “Zerubbabel” means “sown in Babylon” and he was the leader who led the first wave of Jewish returnees from the Babylonian exile and began the work of rebuilding the Temple.
• “Salathiel” means “I have asked of God” in Hebrew, and he is known as the father of Zerubbabel in various passages of the Bible.
• “Neri” is a name of Hebrew origin and could be derived from the Hebrew ‘ner’ meaning ‘lamp’ or ‘light’, though little is known about him aside from his place in the genealogy.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Cultural and religious comparisons reveal that the recording of genealogies was not unique to the Jewish faith. Ancient cultures, especially royal ones, such as Egyptian and Mesopotamian dynasties, kept extensive king lists and family trees to legitimize rule and connect to divine or mythic origins. In these contexts, tracing ancestry was a way of granting authority and status.

Scientific Perspectives

Genealogies in the Bible are not typically used in scientific disciplines like genetics to ascertain historical lineage due to their theological and symbolic significance rather than scientific accuracy. However, they do reflect the understanding that lineage and ancestry were important to the social structures at the time, which aligns with genetic findings that humans tend to form kinship groups.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars offer comments on this verse in the context of Luke’s genealogy. Some suggest that Luke may have been using historical records available to him, which could have been inclusive of names not found in other genealogies. Others suggest theological motivations for the differences, and still, others propose that genealogies serve to establish Jesus in a historical context and to fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s lineage. However, most agree that the genealogy in Luke aims to present Jesus as connected to, but different from, the expected Jewish Messiah – a savior for all humanity.