This is actually a blog that I wrote for a Bible Study group but wanted to share it with friends beyond. Feel free to enter the discussion and comment.
The genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:23ff
Sunday, September 25, 2011, we spent most of our evening discussing the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:23ff with some comparisons to Matthews account in Matt 1:1-17. It was a great discussion. Thanks to all who were able to participate.
This will be for those who were not present and also a way to let those present (and absent) to add their comments to the discussion. Feel free to respond.
Some of our observations.
1. Matthew opens his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew 1:1 "An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Mat 1:1 NRS) With clarity, he establishes Jesus link to Messianic kingship (the Davidic Covenant) and Israel's covenant as a people (the Abrahamic covenant). Jesus link to the Jewish covenant and his fulfillment of the promises they hold is a theme throughout Matthew's gospel.
The question asked the previous week: WHY DID LUKE WAIT TO GIVE THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS IN COMPARISON TO MATTHEW?
Of course, the simple and obvious answer is that Luke acknowledges in Luke 1:1-3 that, while other orderly accounts have been written, after careful consideration (study?), he too will write an orderly account.
"Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus," (Luk 1:1-3 NRS)
From this, we may assume that the order of Luke's account is significant. The placement of the genealogy is no mere afterthought.
Consider:
Luke 1:4 opens the story of the birth and role of the messenger sent to prepare the way. In Jewish tradition, this was Elijah, the great prophet. John is born of the high priestly lineage as both his parents are descendants of the Aaronic line of priests. The name of the messenger, while not Elijah, embodies the message for the name John, means "the grace of the Lord." What a fitting name. At the close of every Seder meal (Passover Meal), the cup of Elijah or the cup of Redemption, is poured but left untouched to wait for the Messiah. Indeed, this hope is found in the "mercy of God."
In Luke, every key character in these opening chapters recognizes that Jesus birth is the birth of the Messiah. From Elizabeth and Mary to Joseph and the Shepherds, they know. The events of Luke 2 further intensify the drama of this remarkable birth as a boy in the temple surprises the elders with his questions.
As the narrative continues with John the Baptizer's ministry, it becomes even more climactic. John declares:
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
(Luk 3:15-17 NRS)
Following his account of John's imprisonment, Luke returns to the event of Jesus baptism as the stage is being set. At the baptism, a heavenly voice speaks: "and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luk 3:22 NRS)
God's son! It is time for the genealogy.
While Matthew begins with Abraham and David, declaring the covenant, Luke begins with Joseph, who we already know from Luke, is not the real father of Jesus. Luke moves through the generations back to David, to Abraham and continues all the way to Adam (of the earth). Luke 3:38b "... Adam, son of God."
Our lives come from God, the creator. Our redemption, our place within the family of God, comes in a son, who like Adam, was born through the mystery and power of the Creator's love. This second Adam has something new to give, something more. Luke does not want us to miss it. This is God at work within creation. The Lord of Sabbath is here. God has personally intervened and come to save us.
Wow!
Keep reading. It just gets better.
This will be for those who were not present and also a way to let those present (and absent) to add their comments to the discussion. Feel free to respond.
Some of our observations.
1. Matthew opens his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew 1:1 "An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Mat 1:1 NRS) With clarity, he establishes Jesus link to Messianic kingship (the Davidic Covenant) and Israel's covenant as a people (the Abrahamic covenant). Jesus link to the Jewish covenant and his fulfillment of the promises they hold is a theme throughout Matthew's gospel.
The question asked the previous week: WHY DID LUKE WAIT TO GIVE THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS IN COMPARISON TO MATTHEW?
Of course, the simple and obvious answer is that Luke acknowledges in Luke 1:1-3 that, while other orderly accounts have been written, after careful consideration (study?), he too will write an orderly account.
"Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus," (Luk 1:1-3 NRS)
From this, we may assume that the order of Luke's account is significant. The placement of the genealogy is no mere afterthought.
Consider:
Luke 1:4 opens the story of the birth and role of the messenger sent to prepare the way. In Jewish tradition, this was Elijah, the great prophet. John is born of the high priestly lineage as both his parents are descendants of the Aaronic line of priests. The name of the messenger, while not Elijah, embodies the message for the name John, means "the grace of the Lord." What a fitting name. At the close of every Seder meal (Passover Meal), the cup of Elijah or the cup of Redemption, is poured but left untouched to wait for the Messiah. Indeed, this hope is found in the "mercy of God."
In Luke, every key character in these opening chapters recognizes that Jesus birth is the birth of the Messiah. From Elizabeth and Mary to Joseph and the Shepherds, they know. The events of Luke 2 further intensify the drama of this remarkable birth as a boy in the temple surprises the elders with his questions.
As the narrative continues with John the Baptizer's ministry, it becomes even more climactic. John declares:
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
(Luk 3:15-17 NRS)
Following his account of John's imprisonment, Luke returns to the event of Jesus baptism as the stage is being set. At the baptism, a heavenly voice speaks: "and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luk 3:22 NRS)
God's son! It is time for the genealogy.
While Matthew begins with Abraham and David, declaring the covenant, Luke begins with Joseph, who we already know from Luke, is not the real father of Jesus. Luke moves through the generations back to David, to Abraham and continues all the way to Adam (of the earth). Luke 3:38b "... Adam, son of God."
Our lives come from God, the creator. Our redemption, our place within the family of God, comes in a son, who like Adam, was born through the mystery and power of the Creator's love. This second Adam has something new to give, something more. Luke does not want us to miss it. This is God at work within creation. The Lord of Sabbath is here. God has personally intervened and come to save us.
Wow!
Keep reading. It just gets better.
