The classic reference to Jesus bringing salvation to the Gentiles is given in the Song of Simeon. Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and blessed God because his eyes had seen the salvation made ready in the sight of all peoples, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles...” (2:32). Jesus is also described as the “glory of Israel,” but we see this concern for the salvation of the Gentiles right from the infancy of Jesus. This is achieved during Matthew’s infancy by visit the Magi.

Compare the preaching of John the Baptist in Luke 3, especially his quotation from Isaiah, with the parallel versions in Matthew 3; Mark 1; and John 1. What is different in Luke’s quotation? Why?
The genealogy of Jesus in 3:23-38 does not merely trace Jesus back to Abraham as does Matthew 1:1, but traces Jesus back to Adam and God (3:38). The purpose of this change by Luke is to depict Jesus as related to all humankind as God’s Son and not just a Jewish son of Abraham.

We can now make the further observation that the title “Son of God” in Luke comes also to connote “one who will come to restore humanity’s lost inheritance.”

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