Luke 3:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

NIV: the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

NASB: the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

CSB: son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,

NLT: Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor.

KJV: Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

NKJV: the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Luke's genealogy of Christ has reached the patriarch of Israel, Jacob (Genesis 35:10). His purpose in including these names, continuing to Adam, is to highlight Jesus' humanity. This, in turn, helps reinforce the idea that Jesus' gospel is made available to all people in all nations.

Each name listed in this verse is a famous figure in the Old Testament. Scripture says much about the lives of Jacob (Genesis 25:26), Isaac (Genesis 17:19). Abraham, of course, is credited as being the precursor to God establishing His chosen people (Genesis 12:1–4), when his name was still Abram.

The Bible offers fewer details about Abraham's immediate ancestors, Terah and Nahor (Genesis 11:24). Likewise, some of the men named in verse ahead are relatively obscure (Luke 3:35–38). Others are profoundly important in human history.

Luke 3:23–38 traces the earthly ancestry of Jesus, apparently focusing on direct family lines. That is, Luke might be following literal birth, rather than by legal means such as adoption. Scholars differ on the precise meaning of these lines, but a common interpretation is that Luke is establishing Mary's ancestry. This establishes Jesus' physical relationship to His ancestor David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Matthew's genealogy shows Joseph's descent from David, making his adoptive son, Jesus, a legal member of that line.

The early part of Luke's gospel shifts back and forth between the histories of Jesus and John the Baptist. Chapter 3 starts with historical and prophetic context about John. It then depicts some of John's interactions with local religious leaders. Luke gives only a brief description of Jesus' baptism. He also touches on John's criticism of Herod the Tetrarch, which would eventually result in John's execution (Matthew 14:10–12). The chapter ends with a genealogy of Christ.

Chapters 1 and 2 provided early history for both John the Baptist and Jesus. Chapter 3 establishes John's preaching ministry and its connection to Jesus Christ. The chapter ends with a genealogy which some believe runs through Mary's side of the family. Chapter 4 transitions from Jesus' baptism into His public ministry, by describing His fasting in the wilderness and temptation by Satan.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/29/2024 7:05:36 AM