Gospel of Luke

Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

1:1-4 Dedication to Theophilus

Acts 1:1-3: A Two-Part Story

Parallel in Josephus

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

Luke 1: The Role of Mary And Elizabeth (Anna in chapter 2)

Why may this be a distinctive quality of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

Luke 2:1-3

Luke 3:1-2

Historiography / Salvation History

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

2:8-20: The Shepherds & Angels

How were shepherds viewed in this era and culture?

How may this point to a distinctive?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

Luke 2:21-24: The circumcision and presentation of Jesus

2:24 See Leviticus 12:6-8

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

2:25-32: Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

2:32 referencing Isa. 42:6, 49:6

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

Luke 3:1-20: The Ministry of John the Baptist

3:10-14: John’s Instructions

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

3:23-38: The Genealogy of Jesus

3:38: “son of Adam”

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

Luke 4:16-22: Jesus launches his ministry by preaching at Nazareth

* “Spirit of the Lord is upon me”4:18-19 Quotes Isa. 61:1-2 (58:6).

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Passages

4:23-30: Rejection at Nazareth

4:25-27 – Israel vs. “Sidon” and “Syria”

How may this be a distinctive of Luke?

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Parables

• 10:25-37: Good Samaritan• 12:13-21: The Rich Fool

• 15:1-10: Lost Sheep / Lost Coin

• 15:11-32: Lost Sons

• 18:1-8: Persistent Widow

• 18:9-14: Pharisee & Tax Collector

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Gospel of Luke: Distinctive Parables

• What does the parable say?• What does the parable mean?• Are there any surprises?

Consider the original audience• What does Jesus want us to

take away?

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Luke Among the Synoptics

• Mark focuses on discipleship• Matthew focuses on interpreting Jesus

to Jews• Luke focuses on interpreting Jesus for

Gentiles

Lens for Reading Luke

• Central Theme: “God’s end-times salvation predicted by the prophets has arrived through the coming of Jesus the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and this salvation is now going forth to the whole world” (Mark Strauss)

• Think of Luke as Part 1 with Acts Part II of the grand story of God’s work from Adam through Jesus and the Church.

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Origin of Luke

• Evidence points to Luke, doctor friend of Paul (cf. Phil 24, Col 4.14, 2 Tim 4.11, and “we” passages in Acts).

• A manuscript from 175-225 CE contains the earliest title of “Gospel According to Luke.” Some support from Irenaeus, Tertullian, and the Muratorian Canon.

• Writes with an attention to historical detail.Probably written between 55-85 AD. Earlier view vs. later view.

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Representative Teachings

• Universality• Disenfranchised / Outcasts• Parables

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Universality

• “to all people” (2.10)• “for revelation to the Gentiles” (2.32)• Genealogy—tying Jesus back to Adam• “all nations, beginning with Jerusalem”

(24.47) (emphasis on ‘nations’)

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Disenfranchised / Outcasts

• Samaritans and Gentiles (10:25-37; 17:11-19; 14:23)

• Tax collectors and sinners (5:30; 7:34; 15:1;18: 9-14;19.1-10)

• Women (1:29-56; 2:25-38; 7:36-50; 8:1-3; 10:38-42; 15:8-10; passion narrative)

• The Poor (4:18; 6:20; 16:19-31)

Parables

• Representative Parables• Good Samaritan (10.25-37)• Parable of the Prodigal and his Brother

(15.11-32)

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Pivotal Stories

• Synagogue at Nazareth (4.14-30)• Confession and Transfiguration (9.18-

36)• Emmaus Road (24.13-53)

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Views of Jesus

• Savior: 2:11; 19:10. The Greek words for Savior and salvation appear 8 times

• Prophet: 7:16; 13:33; Raising of widow’s son in Nain similar to Elisha (2 Kings 4)

• Teacher of Parables

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