Chapter 9 Luke’s Portrait of Jesus: A Savior for “All Nations”

Key Topics/Themes Part one of a two-volume work Christianity as a universal world faith Innocence of Jesus and his followers Radical reversal of social order Insertion of two new bodies of material into Markan order 2 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Introduction Luke as theodicy Divine promises to Israel now open to Gentiles Importance of John the Baptist Centrality of Jerusalem in God’s plan 3 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Author and His Sources Dedication to Theophilus Authorship  Luke, the “beloved physician”  Traditional view: travel companion of Paul  Debates over the traditional view  Only Gentile New Testament writer 4 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Sources (continued) Date  After 70 CE  Luke’s detailed knowledge of siege of Jerusalem  Written between 70 and 90 CE 5 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Luke’s Use of Sources Admits using sources Luke’s additions to Mark  Infancy narrative  Lesser interpolation  Greater interpolation  Resurrection narratives Dependence upon Hebrew Bible 6 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Typical Lukan Themes The Holy Spirit Prayers and hymns Jesus’ concern for women Jesus’ affinity with the unrespectable Christianity as a universal faith Innocence of Jesus and his followers Jesus as “Savior” The importance of Jerusalem 7 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Infancy Narratives: John and Jesus (1:5-2:52) Birth of John the Baptist The role of Mary Luke’s use of hymns 8 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Jesus’ Galilean Ministry (4:14-9:50) Also known as the “lesser interpolation” Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth The “lesser interpolation”  Luke’s Sermon on the Plain  Reversals of status for rich and poor  The importance of women 9 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Luke’s Travel Narrative (9:51-18:14) 10 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Introduction to the Travel Narrative Also known as the “greater interpolation” Little action; mostly teaching Jesus in Samaria Jesus’ victory over Satan’s realm 11 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Survey of the Travel Narrative Parable of the Good Samaritan  Setting  Ethical complexities Mary and Martha Instructions on prayer Luke’s views on riches and poverty 12 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Travel Narrative (continued) Lazarus and the rich man Jesus’ love of the unhappy and the outcast Parables of joy at finding what was lost  The lost sheep  A lost coin  The prodigal son Parable of the dishonest steward 13 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Jerusalem Ministry (18:31-21:38) Conflicting beliefs about the Parousia  Parousia has already occurred  Parousia is imminent Lukan sayings about the kingdom The fall of Jerusalem and the Parousia 14 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Passion Narrative (22:1-23:56) Luke’s interpretation of the Passion  Stress on the innocence of Jesus  Jesus’ death as a righteous example The Last Supper 15 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Jesus’ Final Ordeal Luke’s portrayal of the disciples The Sanhedrin hearing Jesus sent to Herod Antipas Pilate protests Jesus’ innocence Jesus asks for forgiveness of his executioners Jesus consoles others “This man was innocent” 16 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Epilogue: Resurrection Narratives (24:1-53) Jesus appears on road to Emmaus Jesus appears to disciples in upper room Jesus’ life, death, resurrection foretold in Hebrew Scriptures Disciples to remain in Jerusalem; await empowerment by Holy Spirit 17 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Summary Gospel ascribed to Luke Jesus a world savior God’s compassion and forgiveness for all Disciples to carry on Jesus’ work until appearance of Son of Man 18 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Summary (continued) Disciples to carry Jesus’ mission “to the ends of the earth” Mission of church extended indefinitely into the future 19 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.