Notes On Luke PDF

The Gospel According to Luke (Backgrounds) “Certainly, this man was innocent!” (Lk 23:47) Significance of GLuke: GLuke is the longest book in the NT, and Luke-Acts is the most material by any single NT author (even more than Paul!)... Luke is basically the only NT h...

The Gospel According to Luke (Backgrounds) “Certainly, this man was innocent!” (Lk 23:47) Significance of GLuke: GLuke is the longest book in the NT, and Luke-Acts is the most material by any single NT author (even more than Paul!)... Luke is basically the only NT historian... Lots of unique material (~35% of GLuke is not in Mt, Mk, Jn): Birth of JBapt... and birth of Jesus (manger scene)... 5 hymns... 5 unique miracle stories... 17 unique parables!... including Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son... Jesus’ resurrection appearances in Jerusalem... and the ascension... The entire book of Acts as a sequel... Historical Backgrounds of GLuke: Author: Luke?... or someone else?... Technically, anonymous... although, first person used in Lk 1:1-4 and “we” sections of Acts Acc. to church tradition: Luke (cf. Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.14.1) Luke as a person: friend of Paul (2 Tim 4:11; Phm 24), a doctor/physician (Col 4:14) and seems to have been a Gentile (Col 4:11, 14), and was a very skilled writer. In Acts, it sounds like the author traveled with Paul on the 2MJ, 3MJ, and journey to Rome... Recipients: Theophilus... and a wider Gentile audience? Theophilus is addressed at the beginning of Luke (Lk 1:3) and Acts (Acts 1:1-2)... Since Theophilus is addressed as “most excellent” (Lk 1:3), this sounds like an honorary title for a Roman official (cf. Acts 24:2; 26:25) “Theophilus” is probably not a metaphor (anyone whom “God loves”) as Origen thought... Reception: GLuke was popular in later Pauline circles... Marcion and his followers only used a “Gospel” that was a smaller/shorter version of GLuke lacking Lk 1:1-4:30 (see Tertullian AdvMarc 4.7.1 or Epiphanius Panarion 42.11). Early on, Luke was collected and circulated in the 4 Gospel canon so it was always separated from Acts (vol 2) unfortunately... Date: 70-90 CE? After GMark (65-70 CE) After the destruction of Jerusalem (cf. Luke 19:14,27; 19:43-44; 21:20-24) Sources (“many” had written prior... & the author “investigated everything carefully,” Lk 1:1-4): Definitely, Mark... although Luke omits Mk 6:45-8:26 (75vv !!!) and 9:41-10:12 Also, special “Lukan material” (sometimes called “L”)... ~35% of GLuke is unique... Possibly, a collection of Jesus’ sayings/teachings (aka, “Q”)... Possibly, Matthew (“Farrer Theory”), but if so, Lk doesn’t follow Mt as closely as Mk...  Structure (an “orderly” acct, 1:3): geographical based on GMark, emphasizing travels/journeys... Births of JBapt & Jesus in Judea (Lk 1-2)... Ministry of JBapt in Judea... and Jesus’ is baptized & tempted (Lk 3:1-4:13; cf. Mk 1:1-13)... Jesus’ ministry in/around Galilee (4:14-9:50; cf. Mk 1:14-9:50), starts in Nazareth (4:16-30)... Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51-19:27; cf. Mk 10:1-52)... this journey is *HUGE* in Lk... *LOTS* of unique Lukan material as Jesus’ teaches as he travels... Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension only in/near Jerusalem (Lk 19:28-24:53; cf. Mk 11-16) Acts (Volume 2) = good news travels from Jerusalem... to Judea & Samaria... to Rome... Christology in GLuke: Jesus is miraculously born as the son of God, Christ, Savior, and Lord (2:11)... “son of the Most High,” who will rule over God’s kingdom forever (1:32-33)... Jesus has unusual wisdom at age 12 (2:41-52)... and knows inner thoughts (5:22; 6:8; 11:17) Jesus is called “the Lord” (15x) & “Commander/Master” (ἐπιστάτης, 7x in Lk... never in Mk/Mt) Jesus is submissive to God and often prays (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28-29; 10:17-21; 11:1; 22:40-46; 23:34, 46) Jesus exhibits calmness in the events leading to his death: Divine “necessity of the cross” (Lk 17:25; 18:31; 24:6-7, 25-27, 44-49; Acts 3:18; 4:28; 17:3) While being betrayed, Jesus confronts Judas and questions him (22:48) While being arrested, Jesus heals the ear of the high priest’s slave (22:50-51) While being led to crucifixion, Jesus blesses the women of Jerusalem (23:27-31) While crucified, Jesus does not question why God has forsaken him (cf. Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46) While crucified, Jesus forgives those who condemned him (23:34) While crucified, Jesus affirms a crucified victim next to him (23:39-43) While crucified, Jesus verbally entrusts his spirit to God as he dies (23:46) Jesus is resurrected from the dead, appears, and ascends to heaven (Lk 24:51-53; Acts 1:9-11) Inclusion of Outsiders, Outcasts, Marginalized, & Disadvantaged in GLuke... Mt, Mk, & Jn mention outcasts & outsiders... but GLuke has far *MORE* emphasis on this: Gentiles: “all flesh” will see God’s salvation (3:6; Isa 40:5); “light to the Gentiles” (2:29-32; Acts 13:47; 26:23; Isa 42:6); Jesus’ genealogy to *Adam* (3:23-38); inaugural sermon shows inclusion of Gentiles in OT (4:25-27); Jesus helps & commends a Roman centurion (7:1-10); mission of the 70 (10:1-20); “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) Samaritans: mercy on the Samaritans (9:51-56); Parable of the “Good Samaritan” (10:29-37); Samaritan leper healed and commended (17:11-19); Samaritans included in church (Acts 8:5-25) Sinners & Tax-collectors: JBapt includes them (3:12-13); a sinful woman is forgiven (7:36-50); Jesus eats with them (15:1-2); Parable of Prodigal Son (15:11-32); Parable of Pharisee & Tax- Collector (18:9-14); Zacchaeus commended (19:1-10); repentant criminal affirmed (23:40-43) The Poor: Mary blessed as a poor peasant (1:46-55); inaugural sermon (4:18); “Great Reversal” in the beatitudes (6:20-26)... also, wealthy are exposed as callous and corrupt (16:19-31; etc)... Women: Elizabeth & Mary (Lk 1-2); widow of Nain (7:11-17); a sinful woman (7:36-50); prominent women disciples (8:1-3); Mary & Martha (10:38-42); crippled woman (13:10-17); poor widow (21:1- 4); women of Jerusalem (23:27-31); women at the cross & empty tomb (23:49, 55-56; 24:1-11) Delayed Expectation of the End... instead, the Spirit has come... Mark & Matthew emphasize the imminent return of the son of man and the apocalyptic inbreaking of God’s kingdom (Mk 1:15; 9:1; 13:30; 14:62; Mt 10:23)... GLuke asserts the son of man will return & end all things... BUT downplays the nearness: “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.” (Lk 17:22) [Jesus] “proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately” (Lk 19:11) “...Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Lk 21:24) The Apostles ask Jesus: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. Instead, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem & in all Judea and Samaria, & to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) GLuke describes the kingdom of God as present now through Jesus and the Spirit... not so much a futuristic/apocalyptic end of all things... “...if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Lk 11:20) "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Lk 17:20-21) GLuke repeatedly emphasizes “today”: the Lord is born (2:11)... Jesus is begotten as God’s son as baptized (3:22-Western)... the scriptures are fulfilled (4:21)... amazing things were seen (5:26)... salvation has come to Zacchaeus (19:10)... a repentant sinner is affirmed (23:43)... In Luke-Acts, the coming of the Spirit is the dawning of the new age (Lk 1:15, 41, 67; 3:22; 4:1, 14, 18; 10:21; 11:13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-18, 38; 10:38-47; 11:15-16; etc.) The Romans in GLuke: Roman soldiers & sympathizers respond to the preaching of JBapt (3:12-14) & Jesus (7:1-10) Jesus accused of political charges (23:2), but Jesus is not anti-Roman (20:20-26) Romans find Jesus innocent: Pilate (23:4, 14, 22); Herod Antipas (23:6-15); centurion (23:47) The Romans will conquer Jerusalem & its corrupt leaders (Lk 19:27, 41-44; 21:20-24; 23:28-31) 70 CE = divine punishment for rejecting God’s message thru Jesus, JBapt, & prophets (19:44) Discipleship in GLuke: God’s favor is for all people... not just those who are Jewish, male, or privileged (see above) Repentance is necessary to avoid divine judgment (3:7-14; 13:1-9; 15:10; 16:30; 24:47; etc) Money/wealth/property is to be shared generously (3:10-14; 10:29-37; 11:5-8; 14:12-24; 18:22-25; 19:8-9; Acts 4:34-37)... not hoarded or wasted selfishly (12:13-21; 16:14-15; 16:19-31) Disciples are to pray (11:1-13; Jesus’ example in Lk) and experience the Holy Spirit (see above) God reveals to insiders insight and understanding of secret things hidden/incomprehensible to outsiders (8:17; 9:45; 10:21; 12:2; 18:34; 19:42; 24:8, 31, 45)... such as necessity of the cross Failures of the 12 “apostles” (6x) are downplayed in Lk as they lead the church in Acts (vol 2): The disciples don’t flee as Jesus is arrested... instead they watch distantly as he dies (23:49)... afterward, the risen Jesus enlightens them so they can understand & proclaim (24:36-53)...  The Gospel According to Luke (Content) “Certainly, this man was innocent!” (Lk 23:47) Mt & Lk include 3 big things above & beyond Mark: birth, teachings, resurrection appearances The Beginning according to Luke: Infancy Narratives (Luke chaps 1-2)  Method of Writing (1:1-4): “many” had written prior... not an eyewitness... “investigated everything carefully” (used sources)... to Theophilus... “an orderly account”...  Miraculous Birth of John the Baptist to elderly Zechariah and Elizabeth (1:5-80)... Fascinating parallels between births of JBapt & Jesus... Implication: John is great... but Jesus is greater (cf. baptism in 3:21-22)  Miraculous Birth of Jesus to Joseph and Mary (2:1-52)... Annunciation to Mary in Nazareth... they travel to Bethlehem due to a census (6 CE?)... Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem... angels appear to shepherds... baby in a manger (2:1-20)... Simeon in the temple (2:25-35)... Anna in the temple (2:36-40)... Jesus in the temple at age 12 (2:41-52)... and Jesus grows up (2:52)... 5 “hymns” throughout Luke’s infancy narratives (1:42-45, 46-55; 67-79; 2:14, 29-32)... Early episodes of Jesus’ ministry (Luke chaps 3-4):  Baptism of Jesus (3:21-22): Lk basically follows Mk, with a few “Lukan” touches: Historical intro (3:1-2): Tiberius, Pilate, Herod Antipas, Philip, Lysanius, Annas & Caiphas JBapt’ preaches repentance against Jewish leaders (3:7-9) & for outsiders (3:10-14)... denouncing privilege (3:7-9)... emphasizing justice (3:9-14)... Expansion of Mark’s quote of Isa 40:3 to include Isa 40:3-5 (Lk 3:4-5): “Great Reversal” = “every mtn made low, every valley filled”... inclusion of Gentiles = “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” JBapt: “he/Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire...” Jesus praying during his baptism (3:21)... In early Western manuscripts of Luke, the voice from heaven says, “You are my son, today I have begotten you” (Lk 3:22-West = full quote of Psalm 2:7)... most MSS of Luke have, “You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased” (as also found in Mk 1:11)  Jesus was “about 30 years of age” (3:22)... only ref to Jesus’ age in all the Gospels...  Genealogy of Jesus (3:23-38): noticeably different than Mt’s genealogy: reverse order... traces back to Adam as “son of God” (not merely to Abraham)... diverges after David thru Nathan (not Solomon) to Jesus... Lk includes 42 generations after David, while Mt has 27... No conclusive explanation for the differences...  Temptations of Jesus in the Judean wilderness (4:1-13): Lk is very similar to Mt describing the 3 temptations... but Lk reverses the order of last 2 temptations... ends in Jerusalem... Jesus’ Ministry in/around Galilee (Lk 4:14-9:50)... highlights include: Inaugural Sermon in Nazareth (4:16-30): Sermon is unique to Luke... but the whole episode is moved forward from its place later in Mark 6:1-6a so the sermon serves as Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Lk... setting Jesus’ agenda Luke 4:18-19 = Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2a, 58:6... regarding the “poor, captives, blind, oppressed” = Marginalized and Outcasts! Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath (4:25-26; 1 Kings 17:8-24) = Gentiles! Elisha and the leper Naaman the Syrian (4:27; 2 Kings 5:1-14) = Gentiles! Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49): Lk Beatitudes = “poor/hungry” (Lk 6:20-26) vs. “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3-12) = Great Reversal Lk’s ethical teachings here (Lk 6:27-49) are similar to Mt’s Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7), regarding love, mercy, forgiveness, action, & hypocrisy... (but no OT quotes as Mt 5:17-48) Transition: Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27)... highlights include: Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37): Context: A Jewish religious lawyer questions Jesus about Great Commandment (10:25-29)... love God & neighbor... but “who is my neighbor”?... Jewish man beaten and robbed (10:30)... Priest and Levite don’t help (10:31-32)... Samaritan helps (10:33-35) = Marginalized and Outcasts! “Go and do thou likewise!” (10:36-37)... Parable of the Rich Fool (12:13-21) = Great Reversal! Parable of the Great Banquet (14:15-24) = Great Reversal! Three Parables on Lostness (Lk chap 15): Context: Jesus is criticized for eating with tax-collectors & sinners (15:1-2) (1) Parable of the Lost Sheep... out of 100 (15:3-7) (2) Parable of the Lost Coin... out of 10 (15:8-10) (3) Parable of the Prodigal Son... out of 2 (15:11-32)... two-part parable... each of three characters relates to the context (15:1-2) = Marginalized and Outcasts! Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31) = Great Reversal! Healing of ten lepers (17:11-19)... only the Samaritan leper expresses gratitude to Jesus! Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14) = Great Reversal! Zacchaeus, the tax collector in Jericho commits to change and is commended (19:1-10) Controversy in Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)... highlights include: Jesus enters Jerusalem (19:28-40)... and weeps over the city for its impending destruction in 70 CE (19:41-44)... “because you did not recognize the time of your visitation” (19:44)... Jesus stages a protest in the Temple (Lk 19:45-48; cf. Mk 11:15-19)... Controversy about Jesus’ teachings in Jerusalem (Lk 20; cf. Mk 11-12)... Olivet Discourse (Lk 21; Mk 13; Mt 24-25): Luke 21:20-24 clearly interprets the “abomination of desolation” (Mk 13:14; Mt 24:15) to be when Jerusalem would be surrounded with [Roman] armies in 70 CE... and the Romans would slay, enslave, and trample the city (21:24)... Luke’s Passion Narrative (Luke 22-24)... highlights include: Disciples: no prediction they will flee... and they don’t... instead they watch distantly as he dies (23:49)... afterward, risen Jesus enlightens them to understand & proclaim (24:36-53)... Galilee: no prediction that risen Jesus will be seen in Galilee... instead in/near Jerusalem... Romans: GLuke emphasizes Jesus’ innocence from a Roman perspective... Calmness: GLuke emphasizes Jesus calmly facing arrest, crucifixion, death (see other pdf) Jesus’ Roman Trial according to Luke (23:1-25)... highlights include: Jewish charges against Jesus in Luke are political (23:2-5): perverting the nation... forbidding taxes... claiming kingship... inciting the people... (cf. Lk 20:20-26) Pilate tries to dismiss Jesus in three different ways: (1) Sends Jesus to be tried by Herod Antipas, gov of Galilee (23:6-15) = Roman Innocence! (2) Attempts to “punish” (flog) Jesus instead of crucifying (23:16, 22) (3) Prefers to release Jesus instead of Barabbas (23:18-25) Instead, Judean leaders demand Jesus to be crucified (23:21, 23, 25) Pilate declares Jesus to be “not guilty” *THREE* times (23:4, 14, 22) = Roman Innocence! Jesus’ Crucifixion according to Luke (23:26-56)... highlights include: Jesus warns some women about destruction of Jerusalem (23:27-31; cf. 19:41-44; 21:20-24) According to Luke, Jesus makes three statements from the cross (emphasizing calmness)... No “cry of dereliction” questioning why God has forsaken him (unlike Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46)... (1) “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” (23:34, absent in some MSS)... (2) Repentant criminal dying next to Jesus asks to be remembered in his kingdom (23:39-43) Jesus replies: “...today, you will be with me in paradise!” (23:43) (3) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (23:46) Centurion declares: “Certainly, this man was innocent!” (23:47) = Roman Innocence! (cf. “Truly this man was God’s son” in Mk 15:39; Mt 27:54) Jesus’ Resurrection according to Luke (24:1-53): risen Jesus only appears in/near Jerusalem Note: In Luke, the Risen Jesus does not appear in Galilee (as in Mt 28:16-20; Jn 21)... nor does Luke mention Jesus would do so (as in Mk 14:28; 16:7; Mt 26:32; 28:7, 10)... BUT remember, Acts (sequel to GLuke) starts in Jerusalem, not Galilee... Two angels announce resurrection to women at the empty tomb (24:1-12)...and they “remember his words” (24:8) = hidden things revealed... enlightenment! Risen Jesus appears to two disciples on road to Emmaus (24:13-35)...and their “eyes were opened” (24:31) = hidden things revealed... enlightenment! Risen Jesus appears to disciples in Jerusalem (24:36-49)... “then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (24:45) = hidden things revealed... enlightenment! Risen Jesus ascends to heaven from Bethany, near Jerusalem (24:50-53) Note: At the end, Lk emphasizes the divine necessity of Jesus’ death (24:6-7, 25-27, 44-49) Acts of the Apostles (28 chaps!) continues the story... from Jerusalem... to Judea & Samaria... to Rome! (Acts 1:8)