What Tribe Was Jesus From

The tribes of State of israel, such every bit the Levites, Benjamites, and Reubenites, have a fascinating history that readers love to trace throughout the pages of the Bible. The history of Israel also contains the story of Jesus Christ's ancestry, which the genealogies in Matthew and Luke brand clear. One question many people inquire about Jesus' ancestral line is what tribe he came from.

Jesus Christ was from the tribe of Judah, co-ordinate to the Gospels and the books of Hebrews and Revelation. The Gospels refer to Jesus' ancestors from Judah. Hebrews explicitly states that he is a descendant from the tribe, and John refers to him equally "the panthera leo of the tribe of Judah" in Revelation.

What practice the Gospels say about Jesus being from Judah? Why is information technology important that Jesus isn't from the tribe of Levi? What does the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah" mean? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and others.

What practice the Gospels say about Jesus existence from Judah?

The tribes of State of israel each descended from i of Jacob's sons, for whom they are also named (cf. Gen. 49:i-27). For instance, the Levites are descendants of Levi, the Benjamites are descendants of Benjamin, and the Reubities are descendants of Reuben. Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah, is a descendant of Jacob'southward son, Judah.

Ii of the four New Testament Gospels include genealogies of Jesus — Matthew and Luke. These genealogies brand articulate that he was a descendant of Judah, Jacob'due south son.

Matthew's genealogy reads, "Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the begetter of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the begetter of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the begetter of Hezron, and Hezron the male parent of Ram" (Matt. 1:two-3).

Luke's genealogy reads, "the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor" (Luke 3:33-34).

Matthew's nascency story of Jesus includes another reference to his tribe: "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from yous shall come a ruler who volition shepherd my people State of israel" (Matt. 2:6, ESV). Equally readers volition detect below, Matthew and Luke aren't the only New Testament writers to note that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.

Christian cross — Why does Hebrews emphasize that Jesus wasn't a Levite? See below

Why is information technology of import that Jesus isn't from the tribe of Levi?

The New Attestation teaches that Jesus is a priest. For example, Hebrews 4:14 reads, "Since then we have a not bad high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let united states of america hold fast our confession."

Nevertheless, in the Old Attestation, priests came from the tribe of Levi (e.grand. Exod. 28:1). One bespeak that the writer of Hebrews strives to make is that Jesus' priesthood is better than the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 4:xiv-x:18). What the one-time priesthood pointed to, Jesus fulfilled.

The author explains that Jesus' priesthood is better because he is a priest similar Melchizedek. Melchizedek is superior to Levi, the antecedent of all Old Testament priests (Heb. 7:1-ten).

If the Levitical priesthood were sufficient, there would be no demand for another. Hebrews seven:11 reads, "Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for nether it the people received the law), what further need would there accept been for some other priest to arise after the club of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the lodge of Aaron?"

The author of Hebrews likewise makes articulate that Jesus isn't from the priestly tribe of Levi but from Judah. "For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no ane has e'er served at the altar. For information technology is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said cypher about priests" (Heb. vii:13-14).

New Testament scholar Thomas Schreiner explains, "The reference to Judah brings to mind the kingly nature of Jesus' priesthood. He is a Davidic priest-king, a Messianic priest-king. There is likely an echo here from Balaam'south prophecy, for he predicted that 'a star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will ascend in Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab'" (Num. 24:17). [1]

Jesus Christ Israelite tribe — Why is Jesus called a panthera leo? See below

What does the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah" mean?

At the beginning of Revelation 5, John sees a scroll and hears an angel ask who is worthy to open it. He grows upset considering no one can be found: "And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open up the roll or to look into information technology, and I began to weep loudly because no i was found worthy to open the coil or to look into information technology" (Rev. 5:three-4).

Then, i of the elders gives John good news: "Weep no more than; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and so that he can open up the roll and its seven seals" (Rev. 5:five).

In the prophecy most Judah's descendants recorded in Genesis 49, Jacob says, "Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you accept gone upward. He stooped down; he crouched every bit a lion and every bit a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall non depart from Judah, nor the ruler'due south staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" (v. nine-10).

New Testament scholar Grant Osborne explains that Judah is "compared to a immature king of beasts growing in his strength, capturing his casualty, and and then returning to rest in his lair… It is the Messiah's military prowess and victory over his enemies that are celebrated." [2]

References:
[1] Hebrews by Thomas Schreiner. EPTC. p. 219.
[2] Revelation by Grant Osborne. BECNT. p. 253.