Luke 3 28

Luke 3:28 kjv

Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

Luke 3:28 nkjv

the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

Luke 3:28 niv

the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

Luke 3:28 esv

the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

Luke 3:28 nlt

Neri was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Addi.
Addi was the son of Cosam.
Cosam was the son of Elmadam.
Elmadam was the son of Er.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 28 Meaning

Luke 3:28 is part of Jesus's extended genealogy, tracing His ancestry through Joseph, backward from David, through the pre-exilic and post-exilic lines, to Adam, and ultimately to God. This specific verse lists six ancestors in that lineage: Er, Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, and Levi. The primary meaning conveys a verifiable historical connection for Jesus through many generations, establishing His place within humanity and the unfolding divine plan. It underscores the belief that Jesus's identity, including His humanity and connection to Abraham and David, is rooted in a factual, traceable history, even if Joseph was His legal rather than biological father.

Luke 3 28 Context

Luke 3:28 appears within the extended genealogy of Jesus, starting from Luke 3:23 and continuing to 3:38. This genealogy immediately follows the account of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist and the divine affirmation, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Lk 3:21-22). The placement of the genealogy here serves to connect Jesus's divine identity with His human ancestry, grounding His Messiahship in a tangible historical lineage. Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which begins with Abraham and traces down to Jesus (Mt 1:1-17), Luke's genealogy begins with Jesus and traces upward through Joseph's line to Adam, and finally to God. This ascending structure emphasizes Jesus's solidarity with all humanity (as a descendant of Adam) and His divine origin (as the Son of God). The immediate context shows Jesus moving from identification with sinful humanity through baptism to revelation of His divine Sonship, followed by His identification with all humanity through His ancestry back to the first human.

Historically, genealogies were crucial in Jewish culture for establishing identity, social standing, tribal affiliation, and claims to land, inheritance, and religious or royal office. For the original audience, understanding Jesus's lineage was vital for comprehending His rightful claim as Messiah and heir to the Davidic throne. Luke's genealogy, especially its reach to Adam, broadened the scope of Jesus's work from solely a Jewish Messiah to a Savior for all people. The meticulously recorded names, while not famous figures, signify a deliberate, unbroken historical thread chosen by divine providence.

Luke 3 28 Word analysis

• the son of (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ - ho huios tou):
  • ὁ (ho): Greek definite article, "the," specifying a particular individual.
  • υἱὸς (huios): Greek for "son." In biblical contexts, huios not only denotes biological descent but can also imply identity, representation, or even heirship. In genealogies, it signifies direct male lineage. Here, its repetition creates a litany of descent, emphasizing continuity. It reflects the structure typical of Hebrew genealogies (ben).
  • τοῦ (tou): Greek definite article, genitive singular, meaning "of the." It marks possession or origin, indicating direct parentage.
• Er (Er - Ἢρ): A specific male ancestor in Luke's list. This name, while mentioned here, does not correspond to the "Er" found in Gen 38 (Judah's son who was killed), signifying a different individual. Its presence here serves primarily as a link in the chain, highlighting the intricate detail of Luke's recording. The name might mean "watchful" or "awakened."
• Jose (Iōse - Ἰωσὴ): Another specific ancestor. Possibly a variation of "Joseph" or related to the Hebrew yoseph (meaning "he adds" or "may God add"). Its inclusion reinforces the direct line.
• Eliezer (Eliezer - Ἐλιέζερ): This name means "My God is help" (from Hebrew Eli-ezer). It's a biblically attested name (e.g., Abraham's servant, Moses' son). Its meaning could subtly echo the theme of God's provision and guidance through history to bring forth the Messiah, but its primary function is as another verifiable link in the genealogy.
• Jorim (Iōrim - Ἰωρὶμ): A name not frequently found elsewhere in major biblical narratives. Its specific meaning is debated, but often suggested as related to "exalted" or "he (the Lord) will raise up." Again, it's a name fulfilling its role as a step in the divine plan.
• Matthat (Matthat - Μαθθὰτ): A variant of "Matthew" or "Mattathias," possibly meaning "gift of Yahweh." This name appears twice in Luke's genealogy (here and in Lk 3:24), signifying two different individuals in the chain, showcasing common names and highlighting the distinct branches within the same lineage.
• Levi (Leui - Λευὶ): This name, commonly associated with the tribal patriarch Levi, here refers to another specific ancestor in the Davidic line (not the tribal Levi from whom priests descended). Its presence is key as a link to Matthat, demonstrating the intricate nature of the ancestry.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi": This entire sequence demonstrates the rigorous, generation-by-generation tracking of Jesus's lineage. The repetition of "the son of" creates a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes a meticulous and verifiable historical progression. This method was essential for validating claims of identity and heritage in ancient Jewish society. Each name, though obscure to a modern reader, served as an essential link in the divine plan, proving Jesus's earthly roots and His place within God's covenant history. This section bridges Jesus's immediate ancestry with the more ancient names mentioned later in Luke 3, showing the continuous thread from Adam to Christ.

Luke 3 28 Bonus section

• Luke vs. Matthew's Genealogies: Luke's genealogy differs from Matthew's not just in its ascending versus descending order, but also in many of the names from David onward. Most scholars attribute this to Matthew tracing Joseph's legal (royal) line through Solomon (David's son), while Luke traces Mary's line through Nathan (another son of David) or Joseph's actual line distinct from the royal succession. The phrase "as was supposed, the son of Joseph" (Lk 3:23) allows for a recognition that Jesus was not biologically Joseph's son, subtly pointing to Mary's true biological lineage as providing the "flesh and blood" continuity, though still framed within Joseph's legal lineage. This maintains both legal legitimacy and the virgin birth.
• Theological Significance of Adam Link: By linking Jesus to Adam, Luke emphasizes Jesus's solidarity with all of humanity. This sets the stage for Paul's theological development in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15, where Jesus is presented as the "last Adam" or "second Adam." Just as sin and death entered the world through the first Adam, so grace and life come through Christ, the new head of a redeemed humanity.
• Historicity of Genealogies: While exact methods of genealogical record-keeping varied, and some genealogies might be compressed or selective for thematic purposes, ancient Jewish societies placed immense value on such records. Their inclusion in the Gospels signifies an assertion of Jesus's factual roots, essential for His identity as Messiah, particularly concerning the promise of a descendant of David to rule.

Luke 3 28 Commentary

Luke 3:28 is a brick in the wall of Jesus's human lineage, part of Luke's unique and extensive genealogy that extends backward to Adam and God. Its purpose is not to highlight the individual achievements of Er, Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, or Levi, but rather to firmly establish Jesus's credentials within human history. Unlike Matthew, who aimed primarily for a Jewish audience by tracing lineage to Abraham and emphasizing Davidic royalty, Luke sought a broader, gentile readership. His ascending genealogy underscores Jesus's universal relevance by connecting Him to Adam, the progenitor of all humanity. This verse, with its obscure names, reinforces the historical reality of Jesus's human birth and development, integrating Him fully into the sweep of redemptive history as the long-awaited climax of God's covenant promises. The precise listing signifies divine foresight and a methodical, purposeful progression through time, validating Jesus as both truly human and divinely appointed, the "second Adam" who remedies the fall of the first.