Luke 3:36
the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This genealogy doesn't appear in the Old Testament accounts of Abraham or Shem's lineage. Luke is intentionally including "Cainan" here because it was present in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) that many people, especially those outside of Judea, would have been familiar with.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam and, ultimately, God. It follows the birth narrative of John the Baptist and Jesus, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry. The inclusion of this extensive list, which differs in some details from Matthew's account, emphasizes Jesus' connection to all humanity and His role as the promised Savior from the very beginning of creation.
Did Jesus have an ancestor named Cainan, or is this a scribal error? This name is in Luke's genealogy but missing in others, causing quite a stir!
This verse presents a genealogical puzzle: the inclusion of 'Cainan' as a son of Arphaxad. This name appears in Luke's Gospel and in some ancient Greek translations of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), but it's notably absent from the Hebrew versions of Genesis and 1 Chronicles.
Matthew and Luke give us two different family trees for Jesus. How can both be right, and what do they teach us?
It’s a common question: why do Matthew and Luke provide different genealogies for Jesus? The answer lies in their distinct purposes and audiences.
Luke's genealogy traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam and God, emphasizing His connection to all humanity and His role as the promised Seed. This contrasts with Matthew's focus on the Davidic-royal line, highlighting Jesus as the Savior for everyone, not just Israel.
~2500 BC
Noah's Flood
The global flood event described in Genesis, from which Noah and his family were saved in the ark. This marks a significant resetting of humanity.
c. 2000 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Established
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising descendants, land, and a blessing to all nations through his lineage. This sets the stage for Israel's history.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, receiving the Law at Mount Sinai. This marks the formation of Israel as a nation under God's covenant.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital. God promises David an everlasting dynasty, linking the future Messiah to his royal line.
This passage provides a direct genealogical link from Noah to Arphaxad, establishing the same patriarchal lineage found in Luke's Gospel.
1 Chronicles 1:18-24This Old Testament passage also lists the descendants from Arphaxad to Shem, showing a strong parallel to Luke's genealogy, though it omits Cainan.
Luke 3:23This verse immediately precedes the given text and marks the beginning of the genealogy traced back to Adam, providing the context for this specific lineage.
Genesis 5:3-32This chapter provides the genealogy from Adam to Noah, showing the ancestral line that Luke's Gospel traces further back, highlighting humanity's shared origin.
pooleLuke 3:36: "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,"
See Poole on "Luke 3:24"
bengelLuke 3:36: "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,"
Luke 3:36 . Τοῦ Καϊνὰν , Kainan ) Let some, as best they can, furnish out a plausible array of some MSS. which are without the name Cainan : one is without it, viz. Cantabrigiensis , called also Stephani β , and also codex Bezæ [[37]]; which, as being a MS. containing the Latin as well as the Greek, deserves the title, not so much of a codex,…
This genealogy doesn't appear in the Old Testament accounts of Abraham or Shem's lineage. Luke is intentionally including "Cainan" here because it was present in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) that many people, especially those outside of Judea, would have been familiar with.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam and, ultimately, God. It follows the birth narrative of John the Baptist and Jesus, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry. The inclusion of this extensive list, which differs in some details from Matthew's account, emphasizes Jesus' connection to all humanity and His role as the promised Savior from the very beginning of creation.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam and, ultimately, God. It follows the birth narrative of John the Baptist and Jesus, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry. The inclusion of this extensive list, which differs in some details from Matthew's account, emphasizes Jesus' connection to all humanity and His role as the promised Savior from the very beginning of creation.
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Despite the differences in names and the path taken, both genealogies powerfully affirm that Jesus is the promised Messiah, descended from David and connected to all of humanity.
c. 900 BC - 600 BC
Prophetic Warnings to Israel and Judah
Throughout this period, prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel warn the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah about impending judgment due to unfaithfulness, while also promising future restoration and the coming of a Messiah.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling much of the population. This catastrophic event tests faith and marks a turning point for Jewish identity and expectation.
c. 4 BC - AD 30— this verse
Ministry and Life of Jesus Christ
Jesus is born, lives, teaches, heals, and is crucified, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah. His lineage is crucial for validating His claims and His redemptive work.
"the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech," — This genealogy doesn't appear in the Old Testament accounts of Abraham or Shem's lineage. Luke is intentionally including "Cainan" here because it was present in the Greek translation of the Old Test…
