(1) The meaning of the 77 names
In the following table, the 77 names that appear in the genealogy of Luke 3 are organized into 11 groups of 7 persons with their names and their meanings listed. Most of the people listed in this genealogy are obscure individuals whose names or achievements cannot be found in the Old Testament.
However, we must remember that in the Bible, all names—without exception—are meaningful. Moreover, the meanings, which these names possess within the administration of redemptive history, are very significant. We can guess the historical identity of a person through the name that appears in the genealogy. Furthermore, because parents bestowed most names in the Bible (Gen 4:1, 25–26; 5:3, 28–29; 16:11, 15; 17:19; 19:37–38; Judg 8:31; 1 Chr 7:23), the names give us insight into the parent’s spiritual desires and thankfulness, historical context of the times, and the circumstances surrounding the birth of the child.
When we scrutinize the names and their meanings with the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am certain that we will receive amazing grace to understand God’s administration of redemption as revealed through the genealogies.
4. Chart: The Meanings of the 77 Names
* The names were written according to NASB.
* Reference literatures on the meanings of the 77 people in the genealogy of Luke Chapter 3:
Until now we have seen that the genealogy in the Gospel of Luke lists 77 individuals in all, beginning with Jesus Christ and ascending all the way to God. Although the life journeys of these people are not detailed in the Bible, the fact that their names have been included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ is in itself a most glorious achievement.
(2) The administration of redemption in the genealogy of Luke 3
The genealogy in the Gospel of Luke contains the great administration of redemption.
First, this genealogy traces the origin of Jesus Christ all the way up to Adam.18 Jesus Christ is intimately joined with all human beings who have existed and will exist from the beginning of time to its end. This reaffirms that it was for the salvation of fallen Adam’s descendants that Jesus came to this world.
The first man, Adam, was clearly the son of God created in His image, but was unable to fulfill his duty because of disobedience. However, the one and only Son of God, Jesus Christ, came into this world as the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), who redeemed all mankind and opened up the path for eternal salvation through obedience (Rom 5:12–21). Therefore, this genealogy reveals that God’s own Son Jesus Christ, the representation of Adam, became the new beginning.19
The history of sin and death that began with Adam has transformed into the history of life through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. The eternal life of Jesus Christ has been given to all of God’s elect. Jesus Christ is the root and basis of our faith and life. This is a mysterious truth which teaches us that all things that come through Jesus Christ are from God and that all things will be restored back to God through Jesus Christ as well.
Second, the fact that the genealogy begins with Jesus Christ and ends with God confirms Jesus Christ’s divine origin (Luke 3:38).20 The Son of God came into this world in order to save fallen mankind. If Jesus’ genealogy ended with the first man Adam, we would have still remained distant and separated from God. However, Jesus Christ the mediator (John 14:6; Gal 3:19–20; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15) embraced all of humanity and reconciled us to God (Eph 2:15–16; Col 1:21–22). We, who once were distant from God, have now been brought near through the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:13).
In relation to this, let us direct our attention to where the genealogy is placed in the Gospel of Luke. The genealogy is recorded right after Jesus’ baptism. Because Jesus was sinless, He had no need to be baptized; however, He adamantly insisted that John the Baptist baptize Him. The reason for this was to fulfill “all righteousness” which was necessary for the redemption of mankind (Matt 3:15). Even though Jesus was sinless, He was baptized of His own accord as a sinner to participate in the “baptism of repentance” on behalf of all mankind (Mark 1:4; John 8:46; Rom 8:3–4; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 2:8; Heb 2:14; 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 Jn 3:5).
When Jesus came up out of the water during His baptism, a voice from heaven was heard saying, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” This was a clear testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mark 1:11; John 1:29–34). The Gospel of Luke testifies to Jesus’ sonship through this baptismal event. Immediately after this, in order to reaffirm this fact, the linear ascending genealogy was recorded.
Third, the genealogy demonstrates that Jesus Christ came as the seed of the woman to fulfill the covenant of salvation of mankind completely. Regarding this, Luke 3:23 states, “as was supposed, the son of Joseph.” The people knew Jesus as “the son of Joseph,” and “the son of a carpenter” (Matt 13:55). Yet, He was born of Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit, which affirms His messianic role as the seed of the woman.
The redemptive significance of Luke’s genealogy is its affirmation of Jesus Christ’s coming according to the covenants as “the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18) and “in very nature God” (Phil 2:6, NIV).
The infinite and eternal One put on a mortal form and died on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind. God, being sinless and just, cannot condone nor overlook sin. Therefore, He made Jesus Christ pay the price of sin committed by mankind since the fall of Adam.
As such, the genealogy in the Gospel of Luke is filled with the amazing message that God, who is greater than all, is in a relationship with humanity whose lives are relatively insignificant and undeserving of His lovingkindness. The One whose face shines with the light of glory that is seven times brighter than the sun became our Immanuel (Isa 30:26; Matt 17:2), the sinner’s closest friend (Matt 1:23). This shows us the sublime and magnificent value of the saints who have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Moreover, it reveals to us the burning love and redemptive zeal that God has toward His elect.
CHAPTER 6
Three Periods That Appear in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ
The generations in Jesus Christ’s genealogy can be analyzed according to the three divisions set forth in Matt 1:17. The first period from Abraham to David is 14 generations; the second period from David to the deportation to Babylon is 14 generations; and the third period from after the