Luke's genealogy
Luke's genealogy is given after the record of the baptism of
Jesus, and not as part of the record of his birth, because it reveals the reason
for his baptism: his descent, shared with all men, from Adam. Jesus' baptism was
the initial step of obedience by which he would deliver himself and others from
the condemnation of Adam. It was necessary that the Savior be himself subject to
the same weaknesses and infirmity of the flesh as those whom he sought to save
(Heb 2:14,15; 4:15; 5:7,8).
Jesus is shown to be the son of Adam, and the last "Adam"
because he was the beginning of a new creation. The first Adam brought only
death, but in the last Adam all who believe will have life (1Co
15:22,23).
As with Matthew's list, the numbers are again important.
Counting God (Luk 3:38) and Jesus (Luk 3:23), Luke's genealogy contains 77
names, and 77 is the number of times we must forgive those who sin against us
(Mat 18:22; ct Gen 4:24). All those who have sinned against God and His Son may
have forgiveness of sins through Christ. Beginning the genealogy with Adam,
there are actually 75 generations. Seventy-five is the number of Jacob's family
that went down into Egypt, and died there (Act 7:14,15); they sig all men, who
are "dead in their sins" until Christ their passover is sacrificed that they
might be set free.
Women are nearly always excluded from genealogies. [To
substantiate: Case of Jair, father of Judah (1Ch 2:22). But his grandfather had
married the daughter of Machir, tribe of Manasseh (1Ch 2:21; 7:14). And Jair is
called the SON of Manasseh (Num 32:41).]
