Who was Joda in the Bible?

Joda is a figure mentioned only in the Gospel of Luke as an ancestor of Jesus Christ. He is listed in the genealogy that traces Jesus's lineage back to Adam (Luke 3:26).

Why is Joda significant in the Bible?

Joda's significance lies solely in his place within the ancestral line of Jesus. His inclusion in Luke's genealogy connects Jesus to the broader history of God's people, fulfilling the promise of a Messiah from the line of David.

What else does the Bible say about Joda's life?

The Bible provides no other details about Joda's life, character, or any events he was involved in. He is mentioned only by name in the genealogical list found in Luke 3:23-38.

Joda

New TestamentMaleSon of joanan

Joda is listed as an ancestor of Jesus in the genealogy recorded by Luke (Luk.3.26).

Joda

Biography

Joda is listed as an ancestor of Jesus Christ in the genealogy recorded by the evangelist Luke, positioned as the son of Joanan and father of Josech in the lineage running from Jesus through Nathan, David's son, back through the patriarchs to Adam (Luke 3:26). Luke's genealogy traces the legal or biological descent of Jesus through Mary's line, providing a complementary record to Matthew's royal genealogy through Joseph. Joda likely lived during the post-exilic or intertestamental period, though no independent historical record of him survives outside this genealogical notice. Like many figures in Luke's list, he is known solely through his place in the chain of ancestry connecting Jesus to the promises made to David and Abraham.

Significance

Though Joda is one of the least-known figures in the Lukan genealogy, his inclusion reflects the theological richness of Luke 3:23–38 as a whole. By tracing Jesus' ancestry through an otherwise obscure succession of names, Luke grounds the Incarnation in the full sweep of human history, affirming that the Son of God entered a real, specific human lineage. Each name in the genealogy, including Joda, represents a link in the chain of God's patient providence, preserving the messianic line through generations of unknown faithfulness. Luke's genealogy ultimately climaxes in Adam, son of God, establishing Jesus as the second Adam whose mission encompasses all humanity, making every ancestor, however obscure, part of this redemptive story.

Verse Appearances (1)

Luke

Luke 3:26

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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