the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is that Luke's genealogy, unlike Matthew's, traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, emphasizing His connection to all humanity. By including figures like Obed, Boaz, and Jesse, it highlights Jesus' royal lineage through David, fulfilling ancient promises. This inclusive tracing underscores Jesus as the Savior for everyone, not just a select group.
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Luke's detailed genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David, Abraham, and all the way to Adam. Unlike Matthew's Gospel, which emphasizes Jesus' royal lineage from Abraham, Luke extends the line further, highlighting Jesus' connection to all of humanity as the "Son of Adam." This section deliberately connects Jesus to the foundational figures of salvation history, emphasizing his role as the promised descendant of David and the ultimate Savior for all people.
Genealogies in the Bible aren't just dusty lists of names. They tell a story, especially when tracing the lineage of Jesus.
In Luke 3, we see a genealogy that stretches all the way back to Adam, and ultimately, to God. This isn't just a historical record; it's a theological statement.
A Universal Savior
Matthew's genealogy focuses on Jesus' lineage through Abraham, emphasizing His connection to God's chosen people, Israel. Luke, however, takes it further, tracing Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, the first man, and then to God Himself.
Why the Difference?
This broader scope highlights that Jesus is not just the Savior for the Jews, but for all of humanity. He is the Seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head, bringing salvation to every nation, tribe, and tongue. The inclusion of names, some with questionable histories, reminds us that God's redemptive plan encompasses imperfection and brokenness.
The names in Jesus' lineage, especially from David onward, are loaded with the promises of God. What did they signify?
The genealogies of Jesus, particularly the lineage tracing back through David, are crucial because of God's covenant promises.
The Royal Line
God promised David that his kingdom would endure forever and that a descendant would sit on his throne eternally (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Both Matthew and Luke meticulously trace Jesus' lineage back to David, proving He is the legitimate heir to that throne.
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Legal vs. Natural Descent
Scholars have debated the differences between Matthew's and Luke's genealogies. One key insight is that Matthew likely presents the legal or royal line, focusing on the succession to the throne through Solomon, while Luke may present the natural or biological line through Nathan, another son of David. Regardless of the specific path, both confirm Jesus' Davidic ancestry.
More Than Royalty
This lineage assures us that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the King who would bring eternal salvation and establish an everlasting kingdom, fulfilling God's ancient covenants.
Understand the original words
Yishay · Hebrew Proper Noun
The father of David and the grandson of Boaz and Ruth. He is significant as the progenitor of the royal line that culminates in Jesus Christ.
Boaz · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family and later married Boaz. She is a key figure in the lineage of David and Jesus, demonstrating God's grace extending to Gentiles.
Yehudah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The son of Jacob who became the head of one of the twelve tribes. The Messiah is prophesied to arise from his tribe, as he is the ancestor of David and Jesus.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Solomon's Succession
King David reigns, and his son Solomon succeeds him, establishing a dynasty. This period marks the peak of Israel's united monarchy.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Davidic line continues in Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people. The Southern Kingdom of Judah, where the Davidic line resides, remains.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans. This marks the end of native Davidic kingship for centuries.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, leads many back.
c. 20 BC - AD 14
Herod the Great's Reign
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was born during the reign of Herod the Great, a powerful Idumean king who ruled Judea under Roman authority.
c. AD 1— this verse
Jesus' Birth
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies about a descendant of David who would restore Israel. His lineage is traced through both Joseph and Mary.
This passage provides Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which shares many names with Luke's list, particularly from Abraham down to David, showing the lineage through King David and highlighting Jesus' royal heritage.
Ruth 4:18-22This Old Testament passage lists the genealogy from Perez to David, including Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, directly connecting the lineage found in Luke's Gospel to significant figures in Israel's history.
1 Samuel 16:1-13This account details how Jesse, the father of David, was chosen by God to present his sons, including David, as candidates for kingship, thus establishing the ancestral line that Luke traces.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This passage records God's covenant promise to David that his 'seed' would rule forever, a foundational prophecy that underscores the importance of Jesus' Davidic lineage as presented in Luke's genealogy.
pooleLuke 3:32: "Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,"
See Poole on "Luke 3:24"
henryLuke 3:23-38: "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,"
3:23-38 Matthew's list of the forefathers of Jesus showed that Christ was the son of Abraham, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed, and heir to the throne of David; but Luke shows that Jesus was the Seed of the woman that should break the serpent's head, and traces the line up to Adam, beginning with Eli, or Heli, the father, not of Joseph,…
What's easy to miss here is that Luke's genealogy, unlike Matthew's, traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, emphasizing His connection to all humanity. By including figures like Obed, Boaz, and Jesse, it highlights Jesus' royal lineage through David, fulfilling ancient promises. This inclusive tracing underscores Jesus as the Savior for everyone, not just a select group.
This passage is part of Luke's detailed genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David, Abraham, and all the way to Adam. Unlike Matthew's Gospel, which emphasizes Jesus' royal lineage from Abraham, Luke extends the line further, highlighting Jesus' connection to all of humanity as the "Son of Adam." This section deliberately connects Jesus to the foundational figures of salvation history, emphasizing his role as the promised descendant of David and the ultimate Savior for all people.
This passage is part of Luke's detailed genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David, Abraham, and all the way to Adam. Unlike Matthew's Gospel, which emphasizes Jesus' royal lineage from Abraham, Luke extends the line further, highlighting Jesus' connection to all of humanity as the "Son of Adam." This section deliberately connects Jesus to the foundational figures of salvation history, emphasizing his role as the promised descendant of David and the ultimate Savior for all people.
"the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah," — What's easy to miss here is that Luke's genealogy, unlike Matthew's, traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, emphasizing His connection to all humanity. By including figures like Obed, Boaz,…
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Last reviewed October 2026