Luke 3:38
the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Luke 3:38
the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse concludes by tracing Jesus' lineage not just to Adam, humanity's progenitor, but ultimately to God Himself. This highlights that Jesus isn't merely a descendant of fallen humanity but also a unique creation, directly originating from God, underscoring His divine identity.
This passage concludes Luke's extended genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, and then to God himself. While Matthew's genealogy emphasizes Jesus' connection to Abraham and David, establishing his royal lineage for a Jewish audience, Luke broadens the scope to include all humanity, highlighting Jesus as the Savior for everyone. This final step, tracing back to Adam and ultimately to God, emphasizes Jesus' unique origin as the Son of God, created directly by Him.
Genealogies often track lineage through fathers, but what happens when we reach the very beginning of humanity?
Luke's genealogy doesn't stop with Adam. It boldly declares him to be 'the son of God.' This isn't just saying Adam was created by God, though that's true.
A Unique Creation
Unlike all of us, Adam didn't have human parents. God Himself formed Adam from the dust of the ground and breathed life into him (Genesis 2:7). This direct, unique act of creation sets Adam apart. He was, in a very real sense, God's immediate offspring.
The Foundation for Redemption
This direct link to God, through Adam, is crucial. It establishes humanity's original connection to the Creator. When Luke traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to this divine origin, it powerfully declares Jesus' unique identity. He is not just a descendant of Adam, but one who bridges the gap between fallen humanity and the God who created us all.
How can Jesus, a descendant of Adam, be the means by which we are reconciled to God?
Luke's genealogy presents Jesus in a profound way by linking Him to both Adam and God.
Two Adam's, Two Legacies
Adam, the first man, brought sin and death into the world through his disobedience. As a result, all his descendants, all of humanity, are born with this fallen nature.
Jesus, the 'second Adam,' comes to reverse the effects of the first Adam's sin. While He shares in humanity through His mother Mary, His conception by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) means He is uniquely connected to God, not born with the inherited sin nature.
Mediating God's Grace
By being 'the son of Adam' (sharing our humanity) and 'the son of God' (divinely originated), Jesus uniquely bridges the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. He is the perfect mediator, able to represent us before God and God to us, bringing reconciliation and the possibility of becoming children of God ourselves.
Understand the original words
Adam · Greek Proper Noun
The first human being, created directly by God from the dust of the ground, who represents the entire human race in his fall and standing before God. He is the federal head of humanity, and his relationship with God is the prototype for all human existence.
Theou · Greek Noun
The supreme Creator, Ruler, and Sustainer of the universe, who is eternal, holy, and sovereign. In biblical theology, God is the source of all life and holds a unique relationship with humanity, whom He created in His own image.
By tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam and then to God Himself, Luke emphasizes Jesus' connection to all humanity as the second Adam, the one who would restore what was lost through the first.
~4000 BC— this verse
Creation of Adam
God directly creates Adam, the first man, as the progenitor of all humanity.
~3000 BC
Birth of Seth
After the fall and Cain's banishment, Seth is born, through whom humanity's lineage to God continues.
~2800 BC
Birth of Enos
Enos is born, a descendant of Seth, during whose time people began to call on the name of the Lord.
~30 AD
Jesus' Baptism and Ministry Begins
Jesus is about thirty years old when He begins His public ministry, marked by His baptism and the start of His genealogy tracing back to Adam and ultimately God.
This verse directly echoes the creation account in Genesis, highlighting that humanity, starting with Adam, was uniquely formed and made in God's image, emphasizing Adam's special relationship as a son of God by creation.
Genesis 5:1Luke's genealogy mirrors the structure of the Genesis creation account, beginning with 'This is the book of the generations of Adam.' This connection reinforces that Jesus, through Adam, is part of the created human family, originating from God.
Acts 17:28Paul's sermon in Athens speaks of humanity as 'offspring of God,' a concept that directly relates to Adam being called the 'son of God.' This passage broadens the understanding of sonship from Adam to all humanity as God's creation.
Luke 1:35The angel's words to Mary about the Holy Spirit coming upon her are directly relevant to Jesus' unique divine sonship. Just as Adam was uniquely created by God, Jesus' humanity was supernaturally conceived, thus also a 'son of God' in a profound way.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. It connects the humanity of Jesus, traced back to Adam, with His divine nature, underscoring that He is both fully human and the eternal Son of God.
jfbLuke 3:38: "Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God."
- son of God—Compare Ac 17:28.
pooleLuke 3:38: "Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God."
See Poole on "Luke 3:24"
The verse concludes by tracing Jesus' lineage not just to Adam, humanity's progenitor, but ultimately to God Himself. This highlights that Jesus isn't merely a descendant of fallen humanity but also a unique creation, directly originating from God, underscoring His divine identity.
This passage concludes Luke's extended genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, and then to God himself. While Matthew's genealogy emphasizes Jesus' connection to Abraham and David, establishing his royal lineage for a Jewish audience, Luke broadens the scope to include all humanity, highlighting Jesus as the Savior for everyone. This final step, tracing back to Adam and ultimately to God, emphasizes Jesus' unique origin as the Son of God, created directly by Him.
This passage concludes Luke's extended genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam, and then to God himself. While Matthew's genealogy emphasizes Jesus' connection to Abraham and David, establishing his royal lineage for a Jewish audience, Luke broadens the scope to include all humanity, highlighting Jesus as the Savior for everyone. This final step, tracing back to Adam and ultimately to God, emphasizes Jesus' unique origin as the Son of God, created directly by Him.
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"the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." — The verse concludes by tracing Jesus' lineage not just to Adam, humanity's progenitor, but ultimately to God Himself. This highlights that Jesus isn't merely a descendant of fallen humanity but also…