Luke 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,

Which was the son of Cainan {G2536}, which was the son of Arphaxad {G742}, which was the son of Sem {G4590}, which was the son of Noe {G3575}, which was the son of Lamech {G2984},

of Keinan, of Arpakhshad, of Shem, of Noach, of Lemekh,

the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

Commentary

Luke 3:36 is part of the extensive genealogy of Jesus Christ presented by the Gospel writer Luke. Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which traces Jesus's lineage forward from Abraham to Joseph, Luke traces it backward from Joseph (or perhaps Mary) all the way to Adam and, ultimately, to God Himself. This particular verse lists five generations, connecting Jesus to key figures who lived after the Great Flood.

Context

This verse is found within Luke's detailed account of Jesus's lineage, beginning in Luke 3:23 and concluding in Luke 3:38. The list moves backward through time, showing the ancestral line leading up to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. The names in this verse—Cainan, Arphaxad, Sem (Shem), Noe (Noah), and Lamech—bridge the period from the post-Flood patriarchs back towards the pre-Flood world, establishing a continuous historical chain from the earliest days of humanity to Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Universal Humanity of Jesus: By tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam, Luke emphasizes that Jesus is not just the Messiah for Israel but the Savior of all humanity. This contrasts with Matthew's focus on Jesus as the Jewish King, tracing His line to Abraham and David.
  • Historical Continuity and Divine Plan: The meticulous listing of names underscores God's faithfulness and His sovereign hand guiding history through countless generations. Each name represents a link in God's unfolding plan of redemption, demonstrating that Jesus's arrival was no accident but the culmination of a divinely orchestrated lineage.
  • The Importance of Genealogies: In ancient cultures, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and legitimacy. Luke's genealogy serves to affirm Jesus's rightful place in human history and His connection to the covenant promises made through Abraham and the lineage of Noah.

Linguistic Insights and Textual Nuance

The phrase "which was [the son] of" simply indicates direct lineal descent, a common way to express genealogies in ancient texts. A notable point of textual discussion for Luke 3:36 is the inclusion of Cainan. While the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, widely used in Jesus's time) includes Cainan between Arphaxad and Shelah (who is mentioned in the next verse, Luke 3:35), the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text of the Old Testament) does not list Cainan in Genesis 10:24 or Genesis 11:12. This discrepancy is generally attributed to Luke's reliance on the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, which was the primary scripture for many early Christians.

Practical Application

While a list of names might seem dry, these genealogies remind us of profound truths:

  • God's Meticulous Planning: Every generation, every family, plays a part in God's grand design. Our lives, too, are part of a larger divine narrative.
  • The Reality of Jesus's Humanity: Jesus was truly human, with a real family tree and a genuine connection to all of humanity through His ancestors like Adam, Shem, and Noah. This grounds His earthly ministry and makes His sacrifice relatable.
  • Faithfulness Across Generations: The continuity of the lineage speaks to God's enduring faithfulness to His promises throughout history, offering hope that He is faithful to His promises to us today.
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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 14:14 (2 votes)

    Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver [but] their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Hebrews 11:7 (2 votes)

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • Genesis 9:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

  • Genesis 6:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

  • Genesis 6:10 (2 votes)

    And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

  • Genesis 8:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

  • Genesis 9:26 (2 votes)

    And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.