Confirmation of Noah's Genealogy in Matthew and Luke
Noah appears in both New Testament genealogies—Matthew's descending list from Abraham to Joseph (Matthew 1:1-17) and Luke's ascending list from Jesus back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38)—confirming his place in the ancestral line of Jesus Christ. The name "Noe" in these genealogies is simply the Greek rendering of the Hebrew "Noah" [3], establishing continuity between the Old Testament patriarch and the New Testament record.
The Two Genealogies and Their Purposes
Matthew's genealogy presents Joseph's legal succession to David's throne, tracing the royal line through which Jesus inherits messianic credentials [2]. This descending structure moves forward through history, establishing Jesus as "the son and heir of David" who fulfills prophetic expectations [2]. Luke's genealogy reverses this order, ascending from Jesus through Joseph back to "Adam, the son of God" (Luke 3:38), possibly to demonstrate Jesus' connection with all humanity rather than exclusively with Israel's covenant history [9].
The differences between these genealogies have prompted various explanations. Some interpreters propose that Luke records Mary's lineage rather than Joseph's, which would account for the divergent names between David and Joseph [9]. This theory gains support from the observation that Mary was likely among Luke's primary sources [9]. Others maintain that both genealogies trace Joseph's ancestry but through different lines—Matthew following the legal succession, Luke following the natural descent [2].
Noah's Role in Salvation History
Noah's inclusion in both genealogies carries theological weight beyond mere record-keeping. Genesis 5 presents Noah as a figure of hope in a cursed world: his father Lamech named him with the expectation that "this same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed" [8]. The name itself suggests "rest" or "relief," connecting to Hebrew roots that anticipate deliverance from the consequences of Adam's sin [7]. As the first person born after Adam's death, Noah represented a potential turning point in humanity's relationship with the curse [7].
The genealogies in Genesis 5 are described as "endless genealogies" that nevertheless have a definite terminus: "Christ, who was the end of the Old Testament law, was also the end of the Old Testament genealogies; towards him they looked, and in him they centered" [6]. Noah thus functions as a crucial link in the chain connecting Adam's fall to Christ's redemption. After the flood, "both the world and the church were now again reduced to a family, the family of Noah," making him a second father of humanity from whom all post-diluvian peoples descend [5].
Typological Significance
Jesus himself invokes Noah when describing the eschatological judgment: "As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" [1]. This parallel establishes Noah not merely as an ancestor but as a type—a historical figure whose experience prefigures Christ's work. The flood generation's obliviousness to impending judgment mirrors the spiritual complacency Jesus warns against in his own generation [4]. By including Noah in both genealogies, the evangelists anchor this typological connection in biological descent, showing that the one who warns of judgment like Noah's flood is himself Noah's descendant.
The genealogies thus serve multiple functions: they establish Jesus' legal right to David's throne, demonstrate his solidarity with all humanity through Adam, and embed him within the narrative arc that runs from creation through judgment to covenant renewal. Noah stands as a hinge figure—the one through whom God preserved humanity and established the covenant of providence that governs the present age [5].
Sources
- Matthew ““As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. -- Matthew 24:37”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Genealogy Of Jesus Christ — The New Testament gives us the genealogy of but one person, that of our Saviour. This is given because it was important to prove that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies spoken of him. Only as the son and heir of David should he be the Messiah. The following propositions will explain the true construction of these genealogies:-- + They are both the genealogies of Joseph, i.e. of Jesus Christ as the reputed and legal son of Joseph and Mary. + The genealogy of St. Matthew is Joseph's genealogy as legal successor to the throne of David. St. Luke's ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Noe — same as Noah”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 17:26: As it was in the days of Noe - See on Mat 24:38 (note).”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 9 (introduction): Both the world and the church were now again reduced to a family, the family of Noah, of the affairs of which this chapter gives us an account, of which we are the more concerned to take cognizance because from this family we are all descendants. Here is, I. The covenant of providence settled with Noah and his sons (Gen 9:1-11). In this covenant, 1. God promises them to take care of their lives, so that, (1.) They should replenish the earth (Gen 9:1, Gen 9:7). (2.) They should be safe from the insults of the brute-creatures, which should stand in awe ”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 5 (introduction): This chapter is the only authentic history extant of the first age of the world from the creation to the flood, containing (according to the verity of the Hebrew text) 1656 years, as may easily be computed by the ages of the patriarchs, before they begat that son through whom the line went down to Noah. This is one of those which the apostle calls "endless genealogies" (Ti1 1:4), for Christ, who was the end of the Old Testament law, was also the end of the Old Testament genealogies; towards him they looked, and in him they centered. The genealogy here”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 5:28: 5:28-29 As with Enoch (5:21-24), the normal genealogical formula is interrupted to highlight important theological information about Noah. Noah sounds like Hebrew nakham, “relief” or “comfort,” and nuakh, “rest.” As the first person born after Adam’s death (see study note on 5:5), Noah prompted his father Lamech to hope that the curse brought on by Adam’s sin (3:17) might be lifted. See 8:21; 2 Cor 1:3-7; 2 Thes 2:16-17.”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 5:28: Here we have the first mention of Noah, of whom we shall read much in the following chapters. Observe, I. His name, with the reason of it: Noah signifies rest; his parents gave him that name, with a prospect of his being a more than ordinary blessing to his generation: This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed. Here is, 1. Lamech's complaint of the calamitous state of human life. By the entrance of sin, and the entail of the curse for sin, our condition has become very miserable: our who”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 3:23: 3:23-38 This genealogy reverses Matthew’s order (Matt 1:1-17). Luke lists Jesus’ lineage back to Adam, possibly to show Jesus’ connection with all humanity as the Son of God (Luke 3:38). Matthew’s genealogy descends from Abraham to Joseph, highlighting Jesus’ status as the rightful heir of David’s throne and the recipient of God’s promises to Abraham. The great differences between the two genealogies have led some to propose that Luke’s genealogy is that of Mary (see study note on 3:23), who was probably among Luke’s primary sources. 3:23 Jesus was about thirty year”