Luke 3:37

KJV

Which was [the son] of Mathusala, which was [the son] of Enoch, which was [the son] of Jared, which was [the son] of Maleleel, which was [the son] of Cainan,

KJV (with Strong's)

Which was the son of Mathusala {G3103}, which was the son of Enoch {G1802}, which was the son of Jared {G2391}, which was the son of Maleleel {G3121}, which was the son of Cainan {G2536},

Complete Jewish Bible

of Metushelach, of Hanokh, of Yered, of Mahalal'el, of Keinan,

Berean Standard Bible

the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,

American Standard Version

the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:37 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's genealogy, tracing His lineage backward through five significant antediluvian patriarchs: Mathusala (Methuselah), Enoch, Jared, Maleleel (Mahalalel), and Cainan. This segment of the genealogy, unique to Luke's Gospel, underscores Jesus's universal humanity by connecting Him not only to the Abrahamic covenant but to the very origins of mankind, establishing His historical reality and divine appointment as the "second Adam" who comes to redeem all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 3:37 is situated within a much larger genealogical record spanning [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). This extensive list immediately follows the account of Jesus's baptism and the divine affirmation of His sonship in [Luke 3:21-22](/luke/3-21-22 "Luke 3:21-22 - The Baptism of Jesus"). Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which traces forward from Abraham to Jesus to emphasize His royal Jewish lineage, Luke's genealogy moves backward from Jesus to Adam, and ultimately to God. This reverse chronological order serves to broaden the scope of Jesus's mission, presenting Him as the Savior of all humanity, not just the Jewish people. The inclusion of these ancient patriarchs grounds Jesus's identity deeply within the historical narrative of God's interaction with humanity from its earliest days.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies were profoundly important in ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as vital documents for establishing identity, inheritance rights, social status, and claims to leadership or priestly office. For a figure as significant as the Messiah, a verifiable lineage was crucial for His acceptance and authority. Luke, writing primarily for a Gentile audience, meticulously constructs this genealogy to demonstrate Jesus's legitimate claim to be the promised deliverer, not merely for Israel but for the entire world. The names listed in this verse are drawn from the pre-flood accounts in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam"), connecting Jesus to the earliest recorded history of humanity and the initial divine promises made after the fall. The longevity of these patriarchs, though not explicitly mentioned in Luke, was a well-known aspect of their historical record, highlighting a different era of human existence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of Luke's broader genealogy, contributes to several key themes within the Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus's Universal Humanity**. By tracing His lineage back to Adam, Luke emphasizes that Jesus is truly human, sharing a common ancestry with all people, making Him relatable and capable of empathizing with human struggles, as articulated in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"). This contrasts with Matthew's emphasis on Jesus's Jewish kingship. Another significant theme is **God's Faithfulness and Redemptive Plan**. The unbroken chain of descent, meticulously recorded, demonstrates God's long-term providence and His unwavering commitment to His promises through millennia, culminating in the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah. The inclusion of figures like Enoch, who "walked with God" ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch Walked with God")), subtly hints at the unique divine relationship that characterizes this lineage, ultimately finding its perfect expression in Jesus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mathusala (Greek, _Mathousála'_):** Of Hebrew origin (מְתוּשֶׁלַח), this name refers to Methuselah, an antediluvian patriarch. He is famously known for being the oldest person recorded in the biblical narrative, living 969 years ([Genesis 5:27](/genesis/5-27 "Genesis 5:27 - Methuselah's Age")). His extraordinary longevity serves as a bridge between the earliest generations of humanity and the time of the flood, a testament to the initial human lifespan and a silent witness to God's patience before judgment.
* **Enoch (Greek, _Enṓch'_):** Of Hebrew origin (חֲנוֹךְ), Enoch is a profoundly significant figure in this lineage. He is distinguished not by his age, but by his unique relationship with God, as he "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch's Walk with God")). His miraculous translation without experiencing death highlights divine favor and a deep spiritual communion, foreshadowing the triumph over death that Jesus would ultimately achieve.
* **Jared (Greek, _Iáred'_):** Of Hebrew origin (יֶרֶד), Jared is another antediluvian patriarch, the father of Enoch. His name, possibly meaning "descent" or "to descend," places him firmly within the foundational generations of humanity from whom the Messianic line would eventually emerge. His inclusion, alongside Maleleel and Cainan, reinforces the unbroken, divinely preserved chain of human history leading to Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which was [the son] of Mathusala,"**: This clause continues the backward tracing of Jesus's lineage, identifying His ancestor as Methuselah. The phrase "which was [the son] of" is implied throughout Luke's genealogy, indicating a direct paternal line of descent, emphasizing the historical and biological reality of Jesus's human ancestry.
* **"which was [the son] of Enoch,"**: Following Methuselah, the genealogy names Enoch. This connection highlights the spiritual depth within this lineage, as Enoch is renowned for his exceptional walk with God and his miraculous translation, serving as a beacon of faith and divine intimacy in the early chapters of human history.
* **"which was [the son] of Jared,"**: The lineage progresses to Jared, father of Enoch. This inclusion further solidifies the historical continuity of the line, connecting Jesus to the generations immediately preceding the most well-known antediluvian figures.
* **"which was [the son] of Maleleel,"**: Maleleel (Mahalalel) is named next, continuing the meticulous record of ancestral descent. Each name, though seemingly just a link in a chain, represents a real person through whom God's redemptive plan was faithfully preserved across millennia.
* **"which was [the son] of Cainan,"**: The verse concludes with Cainan, further extending the lineage back towards the very beginning of human history after Adam. This final name in the verse reinforces the comprehensive nature of Luke's genealogy, ensuring no significant link in the pre-flood patriarchal line is omitted.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's genealogy primarily employs the literary device of **Genealogy**. This is a structured list of ancestors or descendants, crucial in ancient literature for establishing identity, legitimacy, and historical continuity. In this context, it serves not merely as a factual record but as a theological statement, demonstrating God's meticulous providence in preserving a specific lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. The **Repetition** of the implied phrase "which was [the son] of" creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, emphasizing the unbroken chain of descent and the direct, verifiable connection between each generation. This repetitive structure lends authority and solemnity to the list, underscoring the divine order behind Jesus's human origins. The inclusion of specific, well-known figures like Enoch also functions as a form of **Allusion**, subtly referencing their stories and the theological significance associated with them (e.g., Enoch's walk with God), enriching the narrative without explicitly detailing their biographies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke's inclusion of these pre-flood patriarchs in Jesus's genealogy powerfully underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. By tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam, rather than stopping at Abraham or David, Luke emphasizes that Jesus is not merely the Messiah for Israel, but the Savior of all humanity. This broadens the theological implications of His incarnation, presenting Him as the "second Adam" who comes to reverse the curse of sin introduced by the first Adam ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Through Adam")). The meticulous preservation of this lineage through millennia, despite human failings and historical upheavals, speaks volumes about God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign control over history to bring about His ultimate purposes. Each name in this long list, even those briefly mentioned, represents a vital link in the divinely orchestrated story of salvation, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.

* [Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch's Walk with God")
* [Romans 5:14](/romans/5-14 "Romans 5:14 - Adam as a Type of Christ")
* [1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The First and Last Adam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of names in Luke's genealogy, including those in [Luke 3:37](/luke/3-37 "Luke 3:37 - Jesus's Genealogy"), offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's plan is vast, spanning generations and millennia, demonstrating His incredible patience and unwavering commitment to His promises. We are part of a grand, unfolding narrative, and our lives, like those of these ancient patriarchs, are woven into God's sovereign design. This genealogy also powerfully affirms the genuine humanity of Jesus, making Him relatable to our struggles, temptations, and joys. He is not a distant deity but one who fully entered into our human experience, sharing our common ancestry. This truth should inspire confidence in His empathy and His ability to intercede for us. Furthermore, it highlights that every individual, regardless of their prominence in history, plays a role in God's overarching purposes. Just as each name in this list was essential for the lineage to continue, so too is every believer essential to the ongoing work of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus's lineage back to Adam deepen your appreciation for His universal mission as Savior?**
* **What does the meticulous preservation of this genealogy over thousands of years reveal about God's faithfulness and His long-term plan for humanity?**
* **In what ways does the humanity of Jesus, affirmed by His genealogy, encourage you in your own struggles and walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why does Luke's genealogy go all the way back to Adam, unlike Matthew's?**

Answer: Luke's genealogy, found in [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus"), deliberately traces Jesus's lineage back to Adam, and ultimately to God, to emphasize Jesus's universal humanity and His role as the Savior of all mankind. Matthew's genealogy, by contrast, begins with Abraham and traces forward to Jesus, highlighting His Jewish royal lineage and His fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. Luke, writing largely for a Gentile audience, wants to present Jesus as the "second Adam," the one who reverses the effects of the first Adam's sin and offers salvation to all people, regardless of their ethnic background. This universal scope is a key theological theme throughout Luke's Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke's meticulous tracing of Jesus's lineage back through Mathusala, Enoch, Jared, Maleleel, and Cainan, and ultimately to Adam and God, serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. This genealogy establishes Jesus not merely as a descendant of Abraham or David, but as the quintessential human, the "Son of Man" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save")), fully connected to all humanity. This connection is vital for understanding His redemptive work, as the Apostle Paul explains in [Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Romans 5:12-19 - Adam and Christ Contrasted"). Just as sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, so too did righteousness and life come through one man, Jesus Christ. He is the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The First and Last Adam")), who perfectly obeyed God where the first Adam failed, thereby becoming the head of a new humanity. The inclusion of Enoch, who "walked with God" and was taken without seeing death ([Genesis 5:24](/genesis/5-24 "Genesis 5:24 - Enoch Walked with God")), subtly foreshadows Jesus's own perfect communion with the Father and His ultimate triumph over death through His resurrection and ascension, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Thus, this ancient lineage culminates in the one who redeems and restores humanity to its intended relationship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 1:1

¶ Adam, Sheth, Enosh,

1 Chronicles 1:3

Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

Genesis 5:6

¶ And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

Genesis 5:28

¶ And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: