Luke 3:35

Luke 3:35 is part of the extensive genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded by Luke, tracing His lineage backward from Joseph (or Heli, interpreted as Joseph's father-in-law) all the way to Adam. This particular verse lists five key ancestors: Saruch, Ragau, Phalec, Heber, and Sala. These names connect Jesus' lineage directly to the Old Testament patriarchs who lived after the Flood and before Abraham.

Context

Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which begins with Abraham and moves forward to Jesus, Luke's genealogy starts with Jesus and goes backward, culminating in Adam, "the son of God" (Luke 3:38). This emphasizes Jesus' universal humanity and His connection to all mankind, not just the Jewish people. The names in Luke 3:35 are found in the patriarchal lines recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in Genesis 10 and 11, which outline the descendants of Noah's son Shem.

Key Themes

• Universal Lineage: By tracing Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, Luke highlights that Jesus is the Savior of all humanity, not just Israel. He is truly the Son of Man, connecting with every person through shared ancestry.
• Historical Accuracy: Genealogies in the Bible underscore the historical reality of its characters and events. They affirm God's meticulous record-keeping and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through specific individuals over generations.
• Divine Plan: Every name in this extensive list, including Saruch, Ragau, Phalec, Heber, and Sala, represents a link in God's sovereign plan leading to the birth of the Messiah. It demonstrates God's long-term work through human history.

Linguistic Insights

The names in Luke 3:35 are Greek transliterations of their Hebrew equivalents found in Genesis:

• Saruch is the Greek form of Hebrew Serug.
• Ragau is the Greek form of Hebrew Reu.
• Phalec is the Greek form of Hebrew Peleg. His name means "division," and Genesis 10:25 states, "in his days was the earth divided." This is often understood in relation to the Tower of Babel and the dispersion of peoples.
• Heber is the Greek form of Hebrew Eber. He is traditionally considered the ancestor from whom the term "Hebrew" is derived (Genesis 10:21).
• Sala is the Greek form of Hebrew Shelah.

Practical Application

While a list of names might seem tedious, Luke 3:35 reminds us of profound truths:

• God's Faithfulness Across Generations: God works through ordinary people across many centuries to bring about His extraordinary purposes. Each person, even those seemingly obscure, contributes to a larger divine narrative.
• Our Place in History: Just as these individuals were part of God's lineage for Christ, every believer is part of God's ongoing story, called to play a role in His kingdom work.
• The Reality of Christ: This detailed genealogy solidifies the historical reality of Jesus Christ, affirming that He is not a myth but a real person with a verifiable earthly lineage, establishing His claims as the promised Messiah.