Lexical Summary Mattathias: Mattathias Original Word: Ματταθίας Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mattathias. Of Hebrew origin (Mattithyah); Mattathias (i.e. Mattithjah), an Israelite and a Christian -- Mattathias. see HEBREW Mattithyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Mattithyah Definition Mattathias, an Isr. name NASB Translation Mattathias (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3161: Μαθθαθιας[Μαθθαθιας, see Ματταθίας.] STRONGS NT 3161: Ματαθιας [Ματαθιας, see Ματταθίας.] STRONGS NT 3161: ΜατταθίαςΜατταθίας, Ματταθίου (Buttmann, 18 (16)), ὁ, Mattathias; 1. one of Christ's ancestors: Luke 3:25 (here Treg. Μαθθαθιου (cf. references under the word Ματθαῖος, at the beginning)). 2. one of the ancestors of the man just mentioned: Luke 3:26 (Tr marginal reading Ματαθιου). Luke records two men named Ματταθίου in the genealogy of Jesus Christ: “the son of Mattathias” in Luke 3:25 and another “son of Mattathias” in Luke 3:26. Both belong to the section of Luke’s genealogy that traces the Lord’s lineage from Zerubbabel back to King David through David’s son Nathan rather than through Solomon (Luke 3:31). These two occurrences exhaust the name’s New Testament record. Role in the Lukan Genealogy 1. Verification of Messianic Credentials Luke’s careful listing establishes that Jesus is biologically connected to David’s house, fulfilling covenant promises such as 2 Samuel 7:12–16 and Isaiah 11:1. Every individual—famous or obscure—stands as a witness in the Spirit-inspired chain that authenticates Jesus as Israel’s rightful Messiah. 2. Emphasis on Universality and Humility Matthew begins with Abraham and moves forward, narrowing focus on royal succession through Solomon. Luke moves backward from Jesus to Adam, underlining salvation that encompasses all humanity. The appearance of little-known figures like the two Mattathiases underscores God’s delight in working through ordinary people, not merely through celebrated patriarchs or kings. 3. Continuity Through the Exile The Luke 3:23-38 names occupy generations surrounding the Babylonian captivity and post-exilic restoration. That period seemed to threaten the extinction of royal hope, yet the genealogy shows an unbroken line. Mattathias thus becomes a token of covenant faithfulness in the “silent” centuries. Historical Resonance with Second-Temple Judaism While the New Testament offers no narrative details about either Mattathias, the name was familiar to first-century Jews because of Mattathias ben Johanan, the Hasmonean priest who launched the Maccabean revolt (second century B.C.). Luke’s audience would have detected the echo. Yet Luke’s Mattathiases stand quietly in the background, reminding readers that God’s redemptive plan does not depend on political revolutions but on the steady, providential advance toward the Incarnation. Theological Significance of the Name The Hebrew root (= “gift of Yahweh”) affirms that every generation in the Messiah’s line was a divine bestowal. The presence of the name twice in successive verses intensifies that theme: God repeatedly “gifts” His people with heirs until the ultimate Gift arrives in the person of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Lessons for Christian Ministry • Value the Hidden Worker. Most servants of God labor without public recognition, yet their faithfulness is woven into His greater purposes (Hebrews 6:10). Relation to Other New Testament Figures Do not confuse the two Mattathiases of Luke 3 with Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:23-26). Though the names share a common Hebrew origin, the individuals and contexts differ. The apostle Matthias belongs to the post-resurrection community, whereas Luke’s Mattathiases belong to the ancestral line preceding the birth of Jesus. Reflection for Today Meditating on the Mattathiases encourages confidence that God sees and records every act of faithfulness, even when history books remain silent. Their appearance in Christ’s genealogy is an invitation to embrace obscurity with joy, resting in the assurance that the Lord “remembers the righteous forever” (Psalm 112:6). Englishman's Concordance Luke 3:25 N-GMSGRK: τοῦ Ματταθίου τοῦ Ἀμώς NAS: the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, KJV: Which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Amos, INT: of Mattathias of Amos Luke 3:26 N-GMS |
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