Son of Man, Son of God: Luke's Genealogy: Luke 3:23-38

Son of Man, Son of God: Luke’s Genealogy
Luke 3:23-38

1. What is the general significance of the genealogy in Luke’s gospel?

Genealogy gives us a humble perspective of where we fit into the panorama of history.

2. How do we answer the technical issues of the genealogy in Luke’s gospel?

23  Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24  the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25  the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26  the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27  the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28  the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29  the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30  the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31  the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32  the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33  the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34  the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35  the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36  the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37  the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38  the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Luke 3:23-38 (ESV)

Matthew traces Jesus through Joseph (his legal father) to David’s son, Solomon the king, by whom Christ rightfully inherited the throne of David. Luke’s purpose, on the other hand, is to show Christ as an actual human.

Jeconiah: 30  Thus says the LORD: “Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.” Jeremiah 22:30 (ESV)

MacArthur: Jesus could be legitimately Israel’s king despite being the descendent of Jeconiah (Matt 1:11). Jesus was the legal, but not physical, descendant of Jeconiah through Joseph. That avoided the curse that the Lord pronounced on Jeconiah, that none of his descendants would ever be king.

3. How do we better understand Jesus and His ministry from the genealogy in Luke’s gospel?

23  Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,  . . . 38  the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Luke 3:23, 38 (ESV)

Arthur A. Just: “Jesus now embraces in himself every generation from Adam, the beginning of humanity. As such he now proceeds in his work as Messiah to redeem the humanity he bears in his own flesh. He is both son of Adam and Son of God, both true God and true man, with these two natures in one person.”

17  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)