Meaning of Luke 3:38

This verse from Luke's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Adam, culminates by identifying Adam as "the son of God." This designation is not intended to suggest a biological father-son relationship in the human sense, nor does it imply that Adam was divine. Instead, it signifies Adam's unique creation by God. Unlike all other humans who are born through natural procreation, Adam was directly and intentionally formed by God's own hand (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7). This "sonship" highlights Adam's position as the progenitor of the human race, a representative figure created in God's image, and the recipient of God's initial dominion over creation. The genealogy in Luke, extending from Jesus back to Adam and then to God, emphasizes Jesus' humanity and his connection to the entire human family, while simultaneously underscoring his divine origin, as he is the unique Son of God in a way that transcends Adam's creation.

Context and Background

Luke's genealogy in chapter 3 is presented in reverse order, starting from Jesus and moving backward to Adam and then to God. This is a deliberate choice to emphasize Jesus' humanity and his place within the sweep of salvation history. By tracing the lineage back to Adam, Luke connects Jesus to the very beginning of humanity, establishing him as the descendant of the first man. The inclusion of "son of God" for Adam is a theological statement about his origin, distinguishing him from all subsequent generations who are sons of Adam. This is in contrast to Matthew's genealogy, which begins with Abraham and moves forward, emphasizing Jesus' Jewish heritage and his fulfillment of Old Testament promises.

Key Themes and Messages

• Direct Creation: The primary message is that Adam was not born in the conventional sense but was directly created by God. This establishes his unique status as the first of humankind.
• Image of God: As the "son of God" in this context, Adam reflects the initial creation of humanity in God's image, signifying a relationship of stewardship and representation.
• Progenitor of Humanity: Adam is presented as the father of all subsequent human beings, making the lineage traceable through him.
• Divine Origin: The phrase ultimately points to God as the ultimate source and origin of all life, including humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The understanding of Adam as "son of God" underscores the inherent dignity and purpose of humanity, created with a direct connection to the divine. It reminds believers that their existence is not accidental but is a result of God's intentional design. This also sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the "Son of God" in a far more profound and unique way, as the redeemer and restorer of that original relationship that was broken by Adam's sin. For individuals, it calls for an appreciation of their own creation and a recognition of their potential to reflect God's image.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. Adam's direct creation and his status as the first man are foundational to the Genesis account. His subsequent sin (the Fall) introduced sin and death into the world, affecting all his descendants. The genealogies in both Luke and Matthew, culminating in Jesus, demonstrate how God's redemptive plan unfolds through human history, ultimately leading to Jesus, the second Adam, who would overcome sin and death.

Analogies

• Sculptor and Statue: God is like a master sculptor, and Adam is the first, perfect statue brought directly into existence by the sculptor's hand, imbued with the sculptor's likeness. Subsequent humans are like copies, born from the original statue's lineage.
• Architect and First Building: God is the architect who designed and laid the foundation of humanity. Adam is the first, foundational stone of this structure, directly placed by the architect.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 1:26-27: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" This verse establishes the concept of humanity being created in God's image, a foundation for understanding Adam's unique position.
• Genesis 2:7: "and the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage details Adam's direct creation by God.
• 1 Corinthians 15:45: "So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit." Paul contrasts Adam, the first man through whom sin entered, with Jesus, the last Adam, through whom righteousness and eternal life are given. This highlights the theological significance of Adam's role and Jesus' redemptive work.
• Romans 5:12: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—" This verse directly links Adam's actions to the universal experience of sin and death.