Which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Addi, which was [the son] of Cosam, which was [the son] of Elmodam, which was [the son] of Er,
Which was the son of Melchi {G3197}, which was the son of Addi {G78}, which was the son of Cosam {G2973}, which was the son of Elmodam {G1678}, which was the son of Er {G2262},
of Malki, of Addi, of Kosam, of Elmadan, of Er,
the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
No cross-references found for this verse.
Luke 3:28 is part of the extensive genealogy of Jesus presented by the Gospel writer Luke. Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham to Joseph, Luke meticulously traces it backward from Joseph (legally, from Jesus) all the way to Adam and ultimately to God Himself (Luke 3:23-38).
Context
This verse lists five specific ancestors in Jesus's lineage: Melchi, Addi, Cosam, Elmodam, and Er. These names appear deep within Luke's long list, indicating a period likely after the Babylonian exile or even earlier, connecting Jesus through many generations to the earliest periods of human history. Luke’s genealogy serves to establish Jesus’s rightful place in human history and his connection to all of humanity, not just the Jewish people. It highlights Jesus's true humanity, showing that he was fully part of the human family, with a real, traceable ancestry.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The repeated phrase "which was [the son] of" is implied from the Greek word tou (τοῦ), which is a genitive article meaning "of" or "belonging to." The English translators add "the son" for clarity, indicating direct paternal descent. The careful repetition of this structure emphasizes the direct, unbroken line of ancestry.
Practical Application
While a list of names might seem dry, Luke's genealogy, including verses like 3:28, offers profound insights: