Comments on: NLT Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, and Jesus’ Genealogy (Luke 3:23-38)

By: SM

SM — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:56:03 +0000

“I think the idea that Luke gives the genealogy through Mary has less difficulty than the idea that heâ€™s giving a royal genealogy…”

Perhaps the fact that both specifically state they’re Joseph’s lineage presents a tiny problem. Perhaps the fact that Luke lists 15 more generations than Matthew presents another miniscule difficulty.

Here’s another fact. Studying the two genealogies that cannot possibly be harmonized, as well as the so-called OT “prophecies” certainly HAS helped me draw my own conclusions about these controversial texts!

By: Brent Kercheville

Brent Kercheville — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:41:01 +0000

Thanks for the info from the Reformation Study Bible, Jim. It is interesting to see how each study Bible treats these passages. I hope that this will help people who may be trying to decide between which study Bible to purchase. I also hope it helps people draw their own conclusions about these controversial or difficult texts.

By: Jim Swindle

Jim Swindle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:53:14 +0000

Hello, Brent. Thank you for continuing the comparisons. They stimulate my thinking to go beyond the two study Bibles you’re reviewing, to ponder questions as to what study Bibles are for and how to judge them. The information I’ve seen so far on the ESV Study Bible makes me wonder how much information is too much. Maybe its wealth of information would be more useful in a one-volume commentary.

Concerning the passage at hand, I think the idea that Luke gives the genealogy through Mary has less difficulty than the idea that he’s giving a royal genealogy.

The Reformation Study Bible, which was not as good on a couple of the passages you reviewed recently, has a good, brief comment on this passage:

Luke’s genealogy differs from that in Matthew (Matt 1:2-17) in going all the way back to Adam rather than just to Abraham. Some of the names differ and the order is different. Some suggest that Matthew has Joseph’s line and Luke Mary’s, but Luke specifically starts with “Joseph.” It may be that Mathew is giving not direct ancestors but those who would have been legally in line for the throne of David. Both evangelists emphasize that Jesus was of Davidic descent.