Luke 3:32

Luke 3:32, in plain English

Through Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Sala, and Nahshon—names from the time of Ruth and the Judges. Boaz was the man who redeemed Ruth, a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus.

Why it's here

Boaz, who rescued and married Ruth the foreigner, is a picture of Jesus Himself—the ultimate Redeemer who welcomes everyone into God's family.

Who's speaking

Luke traces the ancestry through some of the Old Testament's most beloved figures.

Where it sits in the story

Boaz redeemed Ruth out of love and faithfulness. Centuries later, his descendant Jesus would redeem the whole world the same way—through love that crosses every boundary.

The scholarly reading

The genealogy traces through Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Sala (Salmon), and Nahshon—key figures from the period of Ruth and the Judges. Boaz is the kinsman-redeemer from the book of Ruth.

Language and setting

This section corresponds to Ruth 4:18-22 and 1 Chronicles 2:10-12. Boaz's inclusion recalls the theme of redemption and the incorporation of the Moabite Ruth into Israel's lineage.

Voice

Luke traces the ancestry through the era of the Judges.

Significance

The genealogy passes through Boaz, whose marriage to Ruth the Moabite demonstrated God's inclusive grace. The Messiah's lineage already contained the story of a Gentile woman brought into God's family.

30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,

33the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

34the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Read all of Luke 3 — John the Baptist doesn't just call for repentance — he gets specific. Tax collectors, soldiers, and crowds all hear what it costs to change.