Luke 3:28

Luke 3:28

This verse is part of Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, tracing the human line from Adam to Jesus (Luke 3:23-38, Luke’s account). Specifically, Luke 3:28 records the descent “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.” Luke’s genealogy, like Matthew’s (Matthew 1), establishes Jesus’ rightful place in Israel’s story, but Luke emphasizes humanity and the marginalized, often listing obscure, ordinary names. The cultural backdrop is strong kinship ties and the importance of generations in ancient Near Eastern identity. Genealogy was not merely lineage; it was a claim to God’s unfolding plan through real people, with their flaws and faith.

Luke places Jesus within God’s faithful covenant people, showing continuity from Adam to David to Abraham’s line and beyond. The names themselves remind readers that God works through ordinary families, not just famous heroes. This counters any notion that God’s purposes depend on status or power. It also foreshadows the universal scope of Jesus’ mission—he comes from a human line, yet his birth inaugurates a new creation. The genealogy culminates in Jesus, the Son of God, highlighting both Jesus’ humanity and divine incarnation.

We may feel insignificant in our family trees, but God uses ordinary people to advance his kingdom. Your daily faithfulness—loving your spouse, raising children, serving neighbors—fits into a long, blessed lineage of God’s redemptive work. If you’re tempted to compare your life to more glamorous stories, remember that God often works through “hidden” generations and quiet faithfulness. Practical steps: write down your own family’s faith stories, memorize a verse to anchor hope, and look for ways your everyday choices can bless the next generation.

Cross-References: Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38; Acts 13:22-23; 1 Chronicles 1-9