4. Luke
4. Luke
CONTENTS
Luke’s Gospel is the longest book in the New Testament, and it includes a good deal of material not found elsewhere. We may see something of the movement Luke discerns if we look at five principal sections in his story.
Christian beginnings (Luke 1:1-4:13). After a short preface (1:1-4), Luke has a section peculiar to himself on the infancy of John the Baptist and of Jesus. He tells us that the angel Gabriel foretold the birth of John the Baptist (1:5-25) and that of Jesus (1:26-38). He writes of a visit Mary paid Elizabeth (1:39-45) and gives the text of the song of Mary (1:46-56). The birth and naming of John follow (1:57-66), and then comes the song of Zechariah (1:67-80). He goes on to the birth of Jesus, together with the story of the angels and the shepherds (2:1-20), the presentation of the baby Jesus in the temple (2:21-40), and the one story we have of the boy Jesus (2:41-52). The ministry of John the Baptist follows (3:1-20), and then his baptism of Jesus (3:21-22), Jesus’ genealogy (3:23-38), and the temptation narrative (4:1-13).
Jesus in Galilee (Luke 4:14-9:50). Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee begins with his sermon at Nazareth (4:14-30) and accounts of his healings (4:31-41) and of a preaching tour (4:42-44). He brings about a miraculous catch of fish, ending in a call of Simon to catch men (5:1-11), and then heals a leper (5:12-16) and a paralytic (5:17-26). He calls Levi (5:27-32) and deals with a question about fasting (5:33-39). The right use of the Sabbath (6:1-11) and the calling of the Twelve (6:12-16) are presented. Now comes the Sermon on the Plain, with its important teachings on love (6:17-49), then the healing of the centurion’s slave (7:1-10) and the raising from the dead of the son of a widow at Nain (7:11-17). John the Baptist’s questions follow (7:18-35) and then the anointing of Jesus by a sinful woman (7:36-50). Luke goes on to speak of women who helped Jesus (8:1-3) and to narrate the parable of the sower (8:4-15), which he follows with teaching about the lamp and the cover (8:16-18) and about his mother and brothers (8:19-21). Next come the stilling of the storm (8:22-25), the healing of the Gerasene demoniac (8:26-39), and the twin story of the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage and the raising of the daughter of Jairus (8:40-56). In chapter 9 we have the mission of the Twelve (9:1-6), the perplexity of Herod (9:7-9), the feeding of the five thousand (9:1017), the recognition that Jesus is the Christ and its consequence for discipleship (9:1827), the transfiguration (9:28-36), the healing of the boy with an evil spirit (9:37-45), and teaching about discipleship (9:46-50).
Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:44). In this long section about Jesus’ journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, it is not easy to follow the course of the journey or to determine at most points of the narrative just where on the journey Jesus is. Luke seems more intent on stressing the journey motif than in giving precise locations. He is making the point that Jesus moved consistently forward on his way to Jerusalem for the consummation of the work he came on earth to accomplish.1 The section begins with more lessons on discipleship (9:51-62) and with Jesus sending out seventy-two preachers to the towns he was about to visit and with his response to their report (10:1-
24). The parable of the Good Samaritan follows (10:25-37), then Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary (10:38-42). Luke goes on to the Lord’s Prayer (11:1-4) and teaching about prayer (11:5-13). An important passage about evil spirits makes it clear that Jesus is too strong for the powers of evil (11:14-26), after which there is a long section on Jesus’ teaching the people, with warnings, encouragement, worry, watchfulness, and divisions coming in for attention (11:27-12:59). Repentance is stressed (13:1-9) before Jesus heals a crippled woman in a synagogue on a sabbath (13:10-17). There is teaching about the kingdom of God (13:18-30) and a lament over Jerusalem (13:31-35). There is interesting teaching at a meal in the house of a prominent Pharisee, including the parable of the excuses (14:1-24) and a statement of the cost of discipleship (14:25-35). Luke follows with three parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (15:1 -32), another about an unjust manager (16:19), and further teaching, mostly about money, that includes the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (16:10-31). There is teaching about service (17:1-10), the healing of ten men with leprosy (17:11-19), the coming of God’s kingdom (17:20-37), and two parables about prayer (18:1-14). Luke reports the bringing of children to Jesus (18:15-17) and the story of the rich young ruler (18:18-30). Jesus prophesies his passion (18:31-34), and Luke proceeds to two stories situated in Jericho and its vicinity: the healing of a blind beggar (18:35-43) and Jesus’ visit to Zaccheus (19:1-10). He narrates the parable of the pounds (19:11-26) and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (19:28-44).
Jesus in Jerusalem (19:45-21:38). This section is devoted to what Jesus did and taught in Jerusalem. Luke reports the cleansing of the temple (19:45-46) and Jesus’ teaching (19:47-48), including teaching about his authority (20:1-8). The parable of the wicked tenants (20:9-18) is followed by a series of attempts to trap Jesus (20:19-44) and by a warning about the teachers of the law (20:45-47). Luke tells us of the widow’s gift (21:1-4) and moves into Jesus’ eschatological discourse (21:5-36). The section ends with further teaching in the temple (21:37-38).
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection (22:1-24:53). Luke begins his crucifixion narrative with Judas’s betrayal of Jesus (22:1-6) and goes on to the last supper and related teaching in the upper room (22:7-38). He speaks of Jesus’ agony and prayer (22:39-46) and of his arrest (22:47-54). Peter’s denials and the soldiers’ mockery follow (22:55-65), and then we see Jesus before the Sanhedrin (22:66-71), before Pilate (23:1-5), and before Herod (23:6-12). Jesus is sentenced (23:13-25) and crucified (23:26-49), then buried by Joseph of Arimathea (23:50-56). The resurrection narrative begins with two men in gleaming clothes telling the women that Jesus has risen (24:1-11) and with Peter at the tomb (24:12). There is the beautiful story of Jesus’ appearance to the two as they walk to Emmaus (24:13-35), followed by his appearance to the disciples (24:3649). Luke concludes his gospel with a brief account of the ascension (24:50-53).