Preparing the Way
the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, Luke 3:35 · Berean Standard Bible
The ancestry goes further back through Serug, Reu, Peleg, Eber, and Shelah—ancient names from the earliest chapters of the Bible.
Luke doesn't stop at Abraham like Matthew does. He keeps going back, connecting Jesus not just to Israel but to all of humanity.
Luke traces Jesus' family line deep into the ancient world.
These names from Genesis are like stepping stones across time, connecting the world before Abraham to the world after him—and ultimately to Jesus.
The genealogy continues: the son of Serug, Reu, Peleg, Eber, Shelah. These pre-Abrahamic figures from Genesis 11 represent the post-flood generations leading to Abraham.
Eber is traditionally considered the ancestor from whom the term 'Hebrew' derives. Peleg's name ('division') marks the era when the earth's peoples were divided (Genesis 10:25).
Luke traces the genealogy beyond Abraham into the primeval history of Genesis.
Luke pushes past Abraham into the ancient world of Genesis 11. These names represent the bridge between Noah's flood and Abraham's call—the generations through which God narrowed His redemptive focus.
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,
35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,
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.
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