The Luke Project Vol 1- The Gospel in SongParaugs

The Genealogy 3:23-38

Jesus was just beginning His ministry at age 30. Why was that age important? This was the age when priests began their ministries according to Num. 4:3. How fitting for our High Priest! He was waiting on God’s timing to fulfill His purpose here on earth.  

Great! A long list of names that I can’t pronounce. I can feel my eyelids getting heavy now. When I was younger, I often skipped over lists like this. But let’s take a closer look at the genealogy of Jesus. The son of Joseph, the son of Eli… wait; Joseph’s father was Jacob according to Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1:16.) It is likely that Luke’s account was taken directly from Mary and is through her bloodline. That would make Eli, Joseph’s father-in-law. 

After quite a few names, we get to Zerubbabel.  I’ve seen that name somewhere. Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel began rebuilding God’s temple in Ezra 5:2 after God’s people returned from Babylon. 

David, Jesse, Obed, Boaz- now I’m recognizing more names! This fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would come through David’s bloodline! (2 Sam. 7:16)

Salmon, Nahshon, Amminadab-  Nahshon the son of Amminadab was the leader of the tribe of Judah. After Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, the leaders of each tribe presented their offerings, including Nahshon. (Numbers 7:12)

Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham… yes! The patriarchs of the Israelites. 

This is where Matthew’s genealogy stops. He may have stopped here to emphasize Jesus’s relation to the Jewish people. 

Luke continues on; Noah, Lamech, Methuselah…  

Enosh, Seth, Adam……..

The son of God!!!

How amazing that they could trace Jesus’s genealogy all the way back to God! That’s what makes this boring list of names so exciting! Today, we’re lucky if we get back 5 or 6 generations. Luke may have been emphasizing Jesus’s relation to ALL people, since we are all descended from Adam and God. This drives home the point of Luke’s account of Jesus’s life. Jesus is for all mankind. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:12-13)  Amen!!!