Luke 3:36

Translations

Modern

…the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

Traditional

Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

Literal

…of Cainan, of Arphaxad, of Shem, of Noah, of Lamech,

Latin

…qui fuit Cainan, qui fuit Arphaxad, qui fuit Sem, qui fuit Noë, qui fuit Lamech,

Original

Greek

English

…the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

Notes

Luke 3:23–38

This record of the family line of Jesus is in the opposite order from Matthew’s list (Matthew 1:1–17). Luke traces the family line of Jesus back to Adam. This may show that Jesus is connected to all people as the Son of God (Luke 3:38).

Matthew’s list moves from Abraham down to Joseph. It shows that Jesus is the rightful heir (legal ruler) of David’s throne and the one who receives God’s promises to Abraham.

The two lists are very different. Because of this, some people suggest that Luke’s list is actually Mary’s family line (see study note on 3:23). If so, Mary may have been one of Luke’s main sources when he wrote his Gospel.

Theme notes and profiles

Noah Ancestors of Jesus

Related verses

Genesis 10:21–22
And sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth; Shem was the forefather of all the sons of Eber.
Genesis 5:28–32
When Lamech was 182 years old, he had a son.
Genesis 9:1
And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
Genesis 11:10–26
This is the account of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad.
1 Peter 3:20
…who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.
Ezekiel 14:14
…then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.
2 Peter 2:5
…if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
1 Chronicles 1:17
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
Genesis 6:8–10
Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.
Luke 17:27
People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Parallels

Ruth 4:18–22 Matthew 1:1–17

People

Arpachshad: Son of Shem, ancestor of Abraham Cainan: Son of Arphaxad, ancestor of Jesus (Luke's genealogy) Lamech: Father of Noah; lived 777 years Noah: Righteous man, built ark, survived flood Shem: Noah's son, ancestor of Semitic peoples

Glossary

Arphaxad Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Cainan Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Genealogy Genealogy of Jesus Christ Lamech Luke, Gospel of Messiah Noe Sem Shem

Topics

Arphaxad: Son of Shem Cainan: Son of Arphaxad David: King of Israel: Genealogy of Genealogies of Christ: Given Genealogy of Joseph Genealogy: from Adam to Noah Genealogy: To Abraham Genealogy: To Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Genealogy of Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Joseph: Husband of Mary: His Genealogy Lamech: Ancestor of Jesus Shem: Called Sem (Av) The Human Nature of Christ: Genealogy of

Luke 3:36

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