in the Gospel of Luke Women

Nearly one-third of the material unique to Luke (“L source”) deals with women. Scholars have referred to Luke as the “gospel of women.” The Gospel was shaped in a social context with large numbers of women

The suggestion has been made that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a source for Luke’s infancy narratives. –Annunciation accounts –Birth narratives –Jesus lost in the Temple

Luke chapters 1 & 2 focus on many female concerns The difficulty of conception, pregnancies and births, and raising children.

Female disciples in Luke’s Gospel Mary the mother of Jesus Elizabeth Anna the prophetess Martha and Mary

Mary: the Mother of Jesus Young –14 yrs. Old Betrothed to Joseph –When she turns out to be pregnant A virgin –pregnant –is a disgrace Stone to death Model disciple –Because she accepted to be the mother of Jesus risking her life Kept in contact with Jesus during his ministry

Elizabeth Descendant of the priest Aaron. –Aaron is Moses’ brother Barren woman –Conceives by the grace of God –Credits the Lord for removing the disgrace of barrenness- like Rachel and Hannah Calls Mary “Blessed…among women” Aka the Magnificat. The canticles reflect the style of contemporary Jewish hymnology as seen in I Macc and the Thanksgiving Psalms

Like with Abraham and Sarah The annunciation of John the Baptist’ birth comes not to the woman but to her husband.

Anna 2:36-38 After the accounts of Elizabeth and Mary, the next woman encountered in Luke’s gospel is Anna. “Anna” is the Greek form of “Hannah” which means “grace” or “favor” Was graced in seeing the face of God. Was a widow

An elderly Jewish prophetess –A woman divinely inspired to make God’s will known to others. –She is the only woman in a Gospel to be called “prophet” Speaks to the people about Jesus Spends day and night in the Temple –Praying and fasting Anna the Prophetess

Martha and Mary- two sisters who welcome Jesus in their house- 10:38-42

MARTHA Martha is the host who received him Thus the relationship between Jesus and Martha is that of guest/host. She reflects an ancient cultural expectation to provide food for guests.

She is portrayed as distracted with much “service” She complaints that Mary has left her alone “to serve” She is active and talkative She serves the physical needs of a traveler along the way. She can be viewed as a prototype of Christian deacon.

Mary Mary seats at Jesus’ feet –The idiom “at his feet” implies that she is a disciple Thus the relationship between Jesus and Mary is that of teacher/disciple She is a passive and silent listener She is devoted to the word of “the Lord”

Other roles of women Prophetess Part of Jesus’ traveling party, helped pay his way Women were among those who observed the crucifixion Angels told the women that Jesus had risen Women were the first to tell the other disciples

A special woman Write a letter to a woman you admire and explain: 1.Why you admire her. Be specific and provide examples 2.Write a word that defines her and explain how this word defines who she is 3.Describe how you think she sees the world/life

Women in Lk. quiz

Word bank: Martha, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary- mother of Jesus 1.She is the only woman in the gospel to be called prophet. 2.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _______ is that of guest/host because she welcomes Jesus in her house. 3.She was a source for Luke’s infancy narratives 4.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _________ is that of teacher/disciple because she listens to what Jesus has to say. 5.She conceived a baby in her old age

Women in Lk. quiz Word bank: Martha, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary- mother of Jesus 1.She is the only woman in the gospel to be called prophet. Anna 2.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _______ is that of guest/host because she welcomes Jesus in her house.- Martha 3.She was a source for Luke’s infancy narratives. – Mary – mother of Jesus 4.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _________ is that of teacher/disciple because she listens to what Jesus has to say. Mary 5.She conceived a baby in her old age- Elizabeth

Women in Lk. quiz

Word bank: Martha, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary- mother of Jesus 1.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _________ is that of teacher/disciple because she listens to what Jesus has to say. 2.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _______ is that of guest/host because she welcomes Jesus in her house. 3.She conceived a baby in her old age 4.She was a source for Luke’s infancy narratives. 5.She is the only woman in the gospel to be called prophet.

Women in Lk. quiz Word bank: Martha, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary- mother of Jesus 1.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _________ is that of teacher/disciple because she listens to what Jesus has to say. Mary 2.In the story of the two sisters, the relationship between Jesus and _______ is that of guest/host because she welcomes Jesus in her house.- Martha 3.She conceived a baby in her old age- Elizabeth 4.She was a source for Luke’s infancy narratives. – Mary – mother of Jesus 5.She is the only woman in the gospel to be called prophet. Anna