  Luke shows a sweeping historical vision  Tracing a new religious movement from Bethlehem to a (hoped for) faith of the Roman Empire  Luke places Jesus’ career at the center of this history Luke’s historical vision

  Luke sees Jesus as the link between Israel’s Biblical past to a future multi-national Gentile Church  Jesus’ ministry represents a new beginning of understanding God’s intentions for humanity  Luke looks forward rather than to an apocalyptic end Luke’s philosophy

  Acts portrays the disciples entering a new historical epoch  It concludes with Paul’s concentration on ministering to the Gentiles Acts

  Very likely a Gentile  Educated, with an extensive vocabulary and polished Greek style  Some say he was a physician  Some say he was an apostle of Paul  He does not seem to know about Paul’s letters, though Who is Luke?

  Luke-Acts was written mid-80s  (after the Jewish wars and before Paul’s letters were published)  Probably written in Ephesus  He dedicates the work to Theophilus Date

  1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Preface

  Apparently dissatisfied with previous versions  Incorporates 45-50% of Mark  Sometimes rearranges Mark’s order of events, for example Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth  Mark has it in the middle  Luke starts with it  Q  L  Hebrew Bible as reference Luke’s sources

  1. The Holy Spirit  2. The Importance of Jerusalem  3. Christianity as a Universal Faith  4. Jesus’ Concern for Women  5. Jesus’ Affinity with the Unrespectable  6. Jesus as Savior Luke’s Major Themes

  Luke is convinced that Jesus’ ministry and the growth of Christianity are not historical accidents  He believes they are the result of the Holy Spirit, an invisible force from God that guides human thought and action  Luke uses this term 14 times, more than other writers Holy Spirit

  For Luke, it is the Spirit that is responsible for the faith’s rapid expansion throughout the Roman Empire  Both Paul and Luke see the Christian community as charismatic —Spirit led and Spirit powered Spirit in Acts

  Luke links the important events in Jesus life with Jerusalem  Infancy and childhood visits to the Temple  Jesus’ fateful confrontation with Roman and priestly authorities  All Jesus’ post resurrection appearances at or near Jerusalem (Mark says Galilee)  Jesus instructs followers to remain in Jerusalem where they will receive the Holy Spirit Importance of Jerusalem

  The way that Luke emphasizes Jerusalem it fulfills God’s ancient promises to Israel Sacred Ground

  For Luke, Christianity is intended for “all nations” not just those who have followed the Torah  Simeon prophesies that the infant Jesus will be a “revelation” to the Gentiles  Luke’s genealogy goes back to Adam, symbolizing all of human history  Luke notes that even Peter, who initially did not wish to admit Gentiles to the Church, now welcomed them Christianity as Universal Faith

  Elizabeth  Mary  Mary and Martha the privilege “shall not be taken from them” (Luke 10: 38-42)  Galilean women who follow and give financial support (Luke 8:2-3)  Witnessing the crucifixion and being first to receive the news of resurrection Concern for Women

  ‘a friend of tax gatherers and sinners’  The notorious woman who crashes a Pharisee’s dinner party and washes his feet with her tears  Jesus was accused of being a glutton and drinker  Luke’s version of the great banquet, the doors are thrown open to ‘the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind’... (those incapable of returning hospitality) The Unrespectable

  Matthew stressed Jesus as Israel’s messiah  The Gentiles don’t particularly care about that  Luke uses the Greek term soter, a term widely used in the Greco-Roman world applied to gods, demigods, and human rulers.  For Luke, Jesus is the Savior of repentant humanity Jesus as Savior

 Infancy Narrative  Matthew and Luke agree that  Jesus was born in Bethlehem  To a virgin, Mary  And Joseph, a descendant of David

  Luke interweaves the birth stories of Jesus and John the Baptist  The Baptist, the last of Israel’s prophets  Jesus, setting forth a new world order

  Luke dates John’s birth in King Herod’s reign  Luke dates Jesus’ birth in the reign of the emperor, Augustus  This places Jesus in a global, not a local context

 Mary  Luke gives emphasis to Mary’s role by having Gabriel announce to her  The Latin version of Gabriel’s speech is the “Ave Maria”  The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer of exaltation  It reflects very closely Hannah’s prayer at the conception of Samuel

 Bethlehem  Luke uses a stable as a setting  He has shepherds visit, not foreign astrologers  Luke does not mention Herod’s attempt to kill the child  Luke does not mention flight into Egypt

 boyhood  The only mention of Jesus’ boyhood in the New Testament appears in Luke  The visit to the temple  Jesus ‘advanced in wisdom and in favor with God and men’ is almost exactly the wording describing young Samuel (1 Sam 2:26

  unpredictability of the end (Parousia)  Unlike Mark, the period of time between Jerusalem’s fall and the Parousia is unknown  This is a chance for the Church to grow Modified Apocalypse

  Luke’s theology does not interpret Jesus’ crucifixion as a mystical atonement for human sin Service not Ransom

 For Luke it is not ransom  Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Luke 22: 27  For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

  Luke 22:  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” Takes the cup First

  Luke 22:19  And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Bread next

  Pilate twice says Jesus has done nothing to deserve death;  Pilate comes off very weak, subject to pressure from the Jews;  People at the scene of the crucifixion declare Jesus innocent;  Jesus last words are that his executioners be forgiven Innocence

  To Luke, neither the Bible nor Jesus’ life can be clearly understood except in the light radiated through Christ’s resurrection. Post Resurrection Appearances

  Jesus reveals himself in “the breaking of the bread” to Cleopas and an unnamed disciple  Second appearance is in Jerusalem: Luke 24:36-37 He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. Emmaus and Jerusalem

  Luke wishes people to carry on in Jesus’ example Luke’s wish

  “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ?

  The record of the genealogy of Jesus t he Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. ?

  You have heard that it was said, ‘A N EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ?

  In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; ?

  His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18 And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” ( Thus He declared all foods clean ?

  In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. ?

  “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. ?

  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ?

  When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. ?