Luke 3:38

Translations

Modern

…the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Traditional

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Literal

…of Enosh, of Seth, of Adam, of God.

Latin

…qui fuit Henos, qui fuit Seth, qui fuit Adam, qui fuit Dei.

Original

Greek

English

…the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Notes

Luke 3:38

Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve. He was born after Cain killed Abel and God sent Cain away (Genesis 4:25–26).
Adam was the son of God because he had no earthly father. God created him. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Satan repeatedly says to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God...” Adam was the first son of God and failed when tested. But Jesus, the Son of God in the fullest sense, successfully resisted temptation.

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

Adam and Eve Ancestors of Jesus

Events

Birth of Sethc. 3874 BC

Related verses

Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
1 Corinthians 15:45
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:47
The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
Genesis 4:25–5:3
And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
Acts 17:26–29
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.
Genesis 1:26–27
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”

Parallels

Ruth 4:18–22 Matthew 1:1–17

People

Adam: The first man, created by God Enosh: Son of Seth, during whose time people called on the Lord's name Seth: Third son of Adam and Eve, ancestor of righteous line

Glossary

Adam (Person) Baptism of Jesus Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Enosh Genealogy Genealogy of Jesus Christ Luke, Gospel of Messiah Seth

Topics

David: King of Israel: Genealogy of Enos: Son of Seth 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 Seth: The Third Son of Adam and Eve The Human Nature of Christ: Genealogy of

Luke 3:38

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