kata loukan
the gospel according to luke

While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. -Luke 9:29-31
(image courtesy the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Memphis, TN) 
 


introduction
  • Authorship
  • Traditionally, Luke "the beloved physician" mentioned in one of Paul's undisputed letters (Phlm 24), and in two of the disputed letters (Col 4:14, where he is called "beloved physician" and 2 Tim 4:11)- assuming that all of these references are to the same Luke.
    • No evidence clearly contradicts this tradition, but none clearly confirms it either. 
    • The author was clearly a well-educated Greek-speaker, but he also displays an intimate knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, particularly the prophetic tradition. 
    • Some think it probable that the author was a Gentile, but a Jew of the Diaspora is more likely.
    • The author of the gospel is almost certainly the same person who authored the Acts of the Apostles, which makes him the second most significant contributor to the literature in the NT.

Figure 1: Traditionally attributed authorship of the NT. The chart at left indicates the percentage of material in the NT according to traditional authorship. 
  • Date
  • Like Matthew, Luke has apparently copied from Mark and therefore must have been written after him.
    • Luke is less apocalyptic in outlook than Mark and Matthew- but lacks the apparently nearly total hostility to Judaism in John.  
    • It was probably written around the same time as Matthew, but in a very different social setting.
    • Probably 80-90 AD.
  • Location
  • Luke's location cannot be determined with any confidence, but the author was almost certainly writing in an urban environment outside of Palestine.
  • Purpose
  • Luke appears to be written to a Christian community of varying social classes:
    • The author is concerned that the wealthy in the community have neglected their obligations to the poor and oppressed, possibly because of expectations of Jesus' imminent return. 
    • The author tries to shift the focus of these expectations to the mission of the church, to motivate his reader.
  • Luke is also very concerned with showing Christianity as the true "heir" to Judaism, or the proper and intended direction for Judaism.
    • Through allusions to the great prophetic mediators of Israel's past, he attempts to show both Jesus and the mission of the early church (in Acts) as being in complete continuity with the history and promises of Judaism.
  • Luke also seeks to justify Christianity in the eyes of the Roman empire, by focusing on the "innocence" of both Jesus and the community that carried on in his name.

in general
  • Luke combines Mark and Q with unique material (known as "L"), but there are differences:
  • Luke copies 70% of Mark,  with two important omissions:
    • Mark 6:45-8:26= "The Big Omission"
    • Mark 9:41-10:12= "The Little Omission"
  • While "M" material is less than a third of Matthew, just over half of Luke is "L," so just over half of Luke is unique to his gospel.
  • Some of it is among the most memorable material in the New Testament:
    • The "baby in a manger" story, and the shepherds at Jesus' birth.
    • The story of Mary and Martha
    • Zachaeus the tax collector
    • The "Road to Emmaus" story
    • The parables of the "Good Samaritan" the "Prodigal Son" and the "Rich Man and Lazarus"
  • Luke also differs from all of the other gospels in another major way:
    • It is the only gospel with a "sequel," the Acts of the Apostles.

Figure 2: The Composition of Luke. The chart at right indicates the sources used by the author when composing the Gospel of Luke.

characteristics
  • Luke is the only gospel to identify to whom it is written, and it does so specifically- a person named "Theophilus."
    • The name means "lover of God." Has Luke introduced his work to a specific individual, or to anyone who "loves God"?
    • The name is mentioned in the opening verses of both the gospel of Luke and Acts, one indication of their common authorship.
  • Luke is interested in placing the events of Jesus' life within the greater context of Greco-Roman history
    • The author wants to be seen as an historian, attempting an "accurate" account of Jesus' life. He continues this in Acts, which is basically a history of the early church.
    •   Compare Mark 1:4 to Luke 3:1-2, each introduces John the Baptist, but note the additional historical information in Luke.
  • Jerusalem and the temple receive special attention as a geographical focus in Luke (Galilee is the focus in Mark and Matthew).  
    • The author has two stories of Jesus visiting the temple in Jerusalem as a child:
      • His consecration at birth (2:22)
      • As a twelve year old, he is "lost" by his parents- who later find him preaching in the temple (2:41-51)
    • The author claims that the family made annual trips to Jerusalem for Passover.
    • Luke dedicates 10 chapters in his gospel to Jesus' journey from Galilee to Jerusalem (9:51-19:44)
      • This is known as Luke's "Travel Narrative,"
      • It has been compared to a similar travel narrative in Deuteronomy.
    • In Luke, all of Jesus' resurrection appearances are in or around Jerusalem. (In Mark and Matthew, the angel in the tomb tells the women that Jesus will meet the disciples in Galilee).
      • Compare Luke 24:1-43 to Matthew 28:16-20

  • Luke focuses on Jesus' "table fellowship," or meal sharing.

    • Nineteen meals are mentioned in Luke, thirteen are unique to his gospel.
    • There are probably two reasons for this:
      • The gospel emphasizes the celebration of the Eucharist or agape meal, and was probably intended to be read aloud at the eucharistic celebration.
      • Jesus' meals foreshadow the "eschatological (or Messianic) banquet" at the end of time, when the righteous would be with God- and never go hungry again. (See Isaiah 55:1-5)

  • Luke emphasizes Jesus' ministry to the oppressed and poor.

    • Many passages show not only a concern for the poor, but a corresponding hostility to the rich (see 6:20-21 & 6:24-25).
    • Luke is not necessarily opposed to wealth as much as he is concerned for complacency on the part of the wealthy, when they refuse to help the poor. (Ex. parable of the poor man and Lazarus).
    • Luke is the only synoptic gospel with stories showing a concern for Samaritans, and there are three:
      • 10:29-37 : The Parable of the Good Samaritan
      • 17:11-19 : The healing of the 10 lepers
      • 9:51-56 : Jesus and his disciples are treated inhospitably by Samaritans who discover their intended destination.
  • Women figure more prominently in Luke than in any other gospel.
    • His infancy narrative is focused on Mary and Elizabeth, rather than Joseph, like Matthew.
    • Luke is the only gospel to mention that Jesus' ministry was supported financially by a group of women (8:1-3),
    • Stories about women unique to Luke:
      • The Widow's Son (7:11-17)
      • The Sinful/Homeless Woman (7:36-50)
      • Mary and Martha (10:38-42)

  • Special focus on worship and prayer.

    • While Matthew mentions that the disciples worshipped Jesus, Luke expands this so that Jesus and his family and John the baptist and his family and the disciples also frequently worship God, thanking him or praising him for what is perceived as his involvement in their life.
    • Before almost every significant event in Jesus' life, Luke mentions that Jesus stops to pray:
      • his baptism (3:21)
      • transfiguration (9:28)
      • choosing the twelve (6:12)
      • Peter's confession (9:18)
      • the Lord's prayer (11:1-4; compare to Matthew 6:9-13. In Luke, the disciples actually ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, and more instructions are given).

  • Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' ministry.

    • He mentions the holy Spirit 14 times, more than Mark and Matthew combined.
    • Luke's purpose in emphasizing the role of the spirit is revealed in Acts, where Luke portrays the same spirit as guiding the apostles to continue Jesus' ministry.
  • Luke portrays Jesus' life and ministry as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and therefore the fulfillment of God's promises
    • Luke suggests that all of the events described in his gospel (not just Jesus' passion) happen according to God's plan.
    • Matthew "proof-texts" the OT to prove who Jesus is, while Luke interweaves scripture throughout his narrative, basing stories on the OT (much like Matthew's infancy narrative).  
    • The following stories portray Jesus as Elijah-like:
      • Jesus raises a widow's son from the dead (7:11-17).
      • The disciples ask Jesus for permission to call down fire from heaven (9:51-55).
      • Jesus' advice to would-be disciples (9:57-62)

  • Tension between present and future models of salvation.

    • Luke is the only synoptic gospel in which Jesus is called "savior," and the only gospel in which Jesus claims he has come "to seek out and save the lost."
    • Luke is also the only gospel where salvation is not specifically linked to Jesus' death on the cross.
      • Luke sees everything about Jesus as part of a Divine plan, including his miracles and teachings.
      • Recall that in Matthew and Mark, Jesus doesn't save anyone until his death on the cross, so to call him "savior" while he is alive would make no sense.
      • Matthew and Mark see "being saved" as being included in a promise to be with God at the end of time- but the actual "saving" doesn't happen until then, and we can't be included in the promise unless we have faith in who Jesus is, incl. his death on the cross.
      • Luke sees salvation as being freed from whatever keeps you from living your life like God would want- disease, hunger, poverty, etc.. Therefore, Jesus is able to bring about salvation in this world through his miracles, healings, and forgiving sins.  
      • See the following:
        • 2:11 "Today... a savior is born."
        • 19:9 "Today... salvation has come to this house."  
    • It is in this way that Luke accounts for a delayed parousia- his church has begun to realize that the end times may be later rather than sooner, and he has adjusted his theology to account for the fact that the church has needs that should be addressed in the here and now, rather than waiting for God to address them at the end of time (such as poverty, oppression, disease).

unique details
  • The parable of the "Good Samaritan."
  • Addressed to a man named "Theophilus."
  • Places the events of Jesus' life in Greco-Roman history.
  • Jesus' disciples ask him for permission to call down fire from heaven.
  • The Canticle of Mary (or the Magnificat).
  • The parable of the "Prodigal (or Lost) Son."
  • Author probably also wrote Acts of the Apostles.
  • Accurately portrays the cup-bread-cup sequence of the Passover meal.
  • At the transfiguration, Jesus speaks of the "exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem."
  • Jesus eats nineteen meals, thirteen of which are unique to this gospel.
  • "Do this in remembrance of me."
  • "Blessed are you who are poor."
  • Jesus declares himself as the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah while in Nazareth.
  • The births of John and Jesus allude to those of Isaac, Samuel, and Samson in the OT.
  • The veil of the sanctuary is torn in two just before Jesus dies on the cross.
  • "There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
  • Jesus heals ten lepers, but only a Samaritan returns to thank him.
  • We are told the names of John the Baptist's parents.
  • Peter tells Jesus to "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
  • Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem for an enrollment ordered by Caesar.
  • "Zachaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."
  • Traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam.
  • The "Sermon on the Plain."
  • Focuses the most on Jesus' ministry to the poor and oppressed.
  • Only gospel to claim that Jesus went on trial before Herod.
  • Jesus sees Peter when Peter denies him.
  • Claims that women supported Jesus' ministry financially.
  • Jesus is anointed on his feet by a "sinful" woman.
  • "Blessed are you who hunger."
  • The longest gospel in the NT.
  • Describes Jesus travelling through Samaritan territory.
  • "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep instead for yourselves and for your children..."
  • Has a ten-chapter-long travel narrative.
  • Shepherds witness Jesus' birth.
  • Claims that John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins.
  • Jesus prays only once in the garden at Gethsemane.
  • Only gospel with a story about Jesus when he was twelve years old.
  • Jesus is found innocent in three different trials before he is finally executed.
  • One of the criminals crucified with Jesus asks him to "remember me when you come into your kingdom."
  • The parable of "The Rich Man and Lazarus."
  • Jesus raises a widow's son from the dead.
  • Only synoptic to claim Satan as responsible for Judas' betrayal.
  • The centurion exclaims, "Truly this man was innocent," when Jesus dies on the cross."
  • Jesus' dying words are "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
  • Jesus heals the ear of the high priest's servant.
  • The disciples are "asleep with grief" when Jesus prays at Gethsemane.
  • "For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is messiah and lord."
  • Does not allow Judas to kiss Jesus when he betrays him.
  • Mentions Jesus praying before significant events in his life.
  • Does not specifically link salvation with Jesus' death on the cross.
  • Jesus quotes Psalm 31 when he dies on the cross.
  • "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."
  • Jesus' "sweat became like drops of blood" when he prayed on the Mount of Olives.
  • Portrays Jesus as Elijah, in fulfillment of a prophecy from Malachi.

The Narrow Gate
2003-2004
http://www.cbhs.org/rmartin/contents/lukegospel8090.htm