Luke 3:21–38

Introduction

Luke 3:21–38: After Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God’s Son. The remainder of today’s reading traces Jesus’s ancestry all the way back to Adam and to God.

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 3:22b

[A voice from heaven said:] “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”

Reading

²¹ After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”

²³ When Jesus began his work, he was about thirty years old. He was the son, so people thought, of Joseph, who was the son of Heli, ²⁴ the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, ²⁵ the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ²⁶ the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, ²⁷ the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, ²⁸ the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, ²⁹ the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, ³⁰ the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, ³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ³² the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, ³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, ³⁴ the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, ³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, ³⁶ the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, ³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Kenan, ³⁸ the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Reflect

Today’s reading begins with Jesus’s baptism and a voice from heaven declaring Jesus as God’s “own dear Son” (verse 22). In the unfolding of Jesus’s identity, Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’s ancestry to show that Jesus is the Son of God. Family roots were important to the Jewish people, and they believed that the Messiah would come from the family of David (Isaiah 11:1–10). Note that David is mentioned in verse 31. What is the significance about the way Luke outlines Jesus’s ancestry? You may wish to compare Luke’s genealogy with Matthew’s version (Matthew 1:1–17).

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are indeed God’s Son, the promised Messiah. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior through whom I have received salvation and forgiveness of my sins. Guide me each day in my journey in faith as I seek to follow you and live according to your teachings. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Luke 4:1–15: The Devil tempts Jesus.