Matthat, Grandfather of Joseph

Background and Family

Matthat appears in the genealogical records of the Gospel of Luke, specifically within the lineage that traces Jesus’ ancestry back through King David and ultimately to Adam (Luke 3:23–38). The biblical record specifies that Matthat was the son of Levi, who was the son of Melchi. His lineage places him within the royal tribe of Judah, the tribe from which the Messiah was prophesied to emerge.

According to the Lucan account, Matthat was the father of Heli. This is a point of significant genealogical interest, as Heli is identified as the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary (Luke 3:23). Consequently, Matthat serves as the paternal grandfather of Joseph, establishing the legal and biological framework for the ancestry of Jesus as recognized in the first century AD.

Major Life Events

The Bible provides no narrative description of Matthat’s life, occupation, or specific residence. Unlike earlier ancestors such as David or Abraham, Matthat belongs to a period of Jewish history where the biblical record focuses almost exclusively on the preservation of the messianic line rather than individual exploits. His inclusion in the text serves a singular historical purpose: to document the unbroken succession of generations between the return from Babylonian exile and the arrival of the Messiah.

Relationship to Other Biblical Figures

Matthat is situated between his father, Levi, and his son, Heli. While he is not mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew’s genealogy—which follows a different line of descent (often attributed to the royal legal line through Solomon, whereas Luke follows the line through Nathan)—Matthat represents the biological heritage that connects the family of Nazareth to their Judean roots. As the grandfather of Joseph, he would have been a relative of the household that raised Jesus, though the text does not indicate if he was still living at the time of Jesus' birth.

Spiritual Significance

In a theological context, Matthat’s inclusion in the Gospel of Luke highlights the humanity of Jesus. By listing specific names like Matthat, the Gospel writer emphasizes that the Savior was a historical person with a documented human heritage. For the early Christian community, names like Matthat provided evidence that Jesus fulfilled the requirements of being a "Son of David," born of the seed of Judah according to the flesh.