THE GOSPEL OF LUKE - Bible Commentaries

Luke ? John Schultz ? - Bible-

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Introduction:

The Author:

The Apostle Paul mentions Luke by name three times in his epistles. Writing to the Colossians, he says: `Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.'1 In two letters written from a prison in Rome, Luke is mentioned. We read in Second Timothy: `Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.'2 And again, writing from Rome, Paul sends word to Philemon: `Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.'3

Luke makes himself rather inconspicuous. He is universally regarded as the author of The Book of Acts, in which he participates as Paul's traveling companion. At the crucial point where Paul enters Europe to preach the Gospel, Luke joins the party, changing the article from third person plural to first person plural, from `they' to `we.' We read: `Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, `Come over to Macedonia and help us.' After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.'4

The New Unger's Bible Dictionary states: `By common consent, Luke is regarded as the writer of the third gospel and of Acts. The third gospel is derived from different sources, but all legitimate authorities, as it is confessedly due to those apostles who `from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word' ... Nevertheless, it is the most complete gospel of them all, and the only one that observes a strictly historical method, the first three gospels being biographical sketches or, as designated by Justin Martyr `Memoirs of the Apostles.' It is to be remarked that both Luke's gospel and Acts are dedicated to one Theophilus (friend of God), which was a custom in those days, obligating those thus receiving a copy as a gift to exert themselves to give the work circulation.'

The same Dictionary adds: `The materials found in Scripture referring to the life of Luke are scanty and seem to yield the following results: (1) Luke was of Gentile origin. This is inferred from the fact that he is not reckoned among those `who are from the circumcision' (Col 4:11; cf. v. 14). When and how he became a physician is not known. (2) He was not one of the `eyewitnesses and servants of the word' (Luke 1:2). (3) On the supposition of Luke's being the author of the Acts we gather from those passages in which the first person we is employed that he joined Paul's company at Troas and sailed with them to Macedonia (Acts 16:10-11). He accompanied Paul as far as Philippi (16:25-17:1) but did not share his persecution or leave the city, for here the third person they is used. The first person we does not reappear until Paul comes to Philippi at the end of his third journey (20:6), from which it is inferred that Luke spent the intervening time-a period of seven or eight years-in the city or neighborhood; and as the we continues to the end of the book, that Luke remained with Paul during his journey to Jerusalem (20:6-21:18), was that apostle's companion to Rome (27:1), sharing his shipwreck (28:2), and reaching the imperial city by way of Syracuse and Puteoli (28:12-16). According to the epistles he continued to be one of Paul's `fellow workers' till the end of his first imprisonment (Philem 24; Col 4:14). The last glimpse of the `beloved physician' discovers him to be faithful amid general defection (2 Tim 4:11). Tradition since the time of Gregory of Nazianzus makes Luke a martyr, yet not unanimously, since accounts of a natural death slip in. Where he died remains a question; certainly not in Rome with Paul, for his writings are far later ...'

1 Col. 4:14 2 II Tim. 4:9-11 3 Philem. Vv.3,4 4 Acts 16:6-10

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About the Gospel of Luke and Acts, The Pulpit Commentary observes: `This Third Gospel was most carefully composed, with the view of satisfying the requirements of a thoughtful, cultured man, such as was probably that `most excellent Theophilus' to whom the Gospel was addressed.

First, it contained, with its sequel the Acts, not a few historical notices, such as the census of Quirinius, under the decree of Augustus (... Acts 2:1-3); the contemporary Roman and Jewish rulers in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar (... Acts 3:1, 2); Pilate's and Herod's jurisdictions (chapter 23:1, 12); with allusions by name to public persons, such as Cornelius, centurion of the Italian band (... Acts 10:1); Herod (... Acts 12:1, etc.; 13:1); Sergius Paulus (... Acts 13:7); the Emperor Claudius's decree (... Acts 18:2); Gallic the deputy of Achaia (... Acts 18:12-16); Claudius Lysias, Felix the Roman governor (... Acts 23:26); Porcius Festus (... Acts 24:27); King Agrippa and Bernice (Acts 25); the appeal to Caesar (... Acts 26:32).

Secondly, it embodied in its narrative that beautiful and interesting account of the nativity and the events which preceded it and immediately succeeded it, with a few notices of the boyhood of the Lord. These details ... were evidently procured from information communicated to St. Luke (or St. Paul) by eyewitnesses, many of the details probably by the virgin-mother herself. These two first chapters would answer many a question which would naturally suggest itself to reverent inquirers who had listened to the simple gospel message as first delivered, and had enrolled themselves among the followers of Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, the picture of the gradual development of the Church of Jesus Christ is drawn with extraordinary skill and care by St. Luke -- its development from Bethlehem and Nazareth to Jerusalem and Rome. On the morning of the nativity, in the opening chapters of St. Luke, the Church is confined to Joseph, Mary, and the holy Babe. To these, just the few shepherds of Bethlehem are added. The close of the Acts shows us the foundation of the Church at Rome; but Rome was but a branch, an offshoot, of the great Churches of Antioch and Jerusalem. St. Luke traces the various stages in this development -- from Bethlehem to Nazareth, from Nazareth to Capernaum, from Capernaum to the Galilaean and Peraean villages, then to Jerusalem. The Acts takes up the wondrous story, and shows how the Church, advanced from Jerusalem to the Syrian Antioch, from Antioch to the cities of Asia Minor, from great Asian centers like Ephesus across the seas to the old world-renowned cities of Greece, and then from Greece to Italy, and the story closes with the beginning of the Church at Rome. Nor does St. Luke alone depict with his great skill the geographical development of the Church of Jesus Christ. He describes, too, how the work of the Divine Master and his chosen instruments developed. First, we have the story of the birth and growth of the pioneer, John the Baptist; then the birth and childhood of Jesus himself. He paints the beginning of his organized Church, when he summons the twelve out of the number of believers who gathered round him soon after he began his public ministry among men. The wants of the growing organization soon called for more workers. In the Third Gospel the solemn summons of the seventy is related. For a moment the advancing work seems arrested by a fatal blow, and the death of the Master on the cross puts, as it seems, a final stop to the new Church and its work; but the Resurrection, which St. Luke describes as quickly following, gives a new and irresistible impulse to the Church and the Church's work among men. The same men are at work, and the same Master is guiding their labors. But the homeless Master is no longer guiding them as they walked together among the fields of Galilee and the streets of Jerusalem, but from his glorythrone in heaven; and the men, the same men, are quite changed: it is as though they had drunk of the waters of another and stronger life.

Luke describes in the Acts, the sequel to his Gospel, the rapid progress and the swift though orderly development of the now great and numerous Church. Deacons are chosen to assist the apostles; then we read of prophets and teachers and elders, of the foundation-stories of a great and powerful organization.'

Date and Place of writing: There is no certainty about the date at which this Gospel could be written. Most Bible scholars place is after the Gospel of Mark, which may have been written as early as 50 AD. It is obvious that Luke wrote his Gospel before writing Acts. And Acts must have been written before the death of the Apostle Paul, which occurred around 67 AD.

The New Unger's Bible Dictionary observes about the date: `Since the book was written before the Acts, which is to be dated c. A.D. 61, it was likely written while Paul was at Caesarea. Since internal evidence that Luke wrote both the gospel and the book of Acts (and he divulges the fact that the gospel was written

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first, Acts 1:1), it must be concluded that the gospel was penned prior to A.D. 61. Luke was in Caesarea where Paul was in prison (Acts 27:1). This circumstance would furnish him opportunity for the research he mentions with such fine literary style and classical flourish in Luke 1:1-4.' Whether this means that Luke wrote, while in Caesarea, cannot be ascertained.

Barnes' Notes observes the following about the place and time of the writing of this Gospel: `It is not known where it was written. Jerome says it was composed in Achaia. There seems to be some probability that it was written to persons that were well acquainted with Jewish manners, as the author does not stop to explain the peculiar customs of the Jews, as some of the other evangelists have done. Respecting the time when it was written nothing very definite is known. All that can with certainty be ascertained is that it was written before the death of Paul (65 A.D.), for it was written before the Acts Acts 1:1, and that book only brings down the life of Paul to his imprisonment at Rome, and previous to his going into Spain.'

About Luke's identity, Barnes' Notes writes: `It has been made a matter of inquiry whether Luke was a Gentile or a Jew. On this subject there is no positive testimony. Jerome and others of the fathers say that he was a Syrian, and born at Antioch. The most probable opinion seems to be that he was a proselyte to the Jewish religion, though descended from Gentile parents. For this opinion two reasons may be assigned of some weight. First, he was intimately acquainted, as appears by the Gospel and the Acts, with the Jewish rites, customs, opinions, and prejudices; and he wrote in their `dialect,' that is, with much of the Hebrew phraseology, in a style similar to the other evangelists, from which it appears that he was accustomed to the Jewish religion, and was, therefore, probably a proselyte. Yet the `preface' to his Gospel, as critics have remarked, is pure classic Greek, unlike the Greek that was used by native Jews; from which it seems not improbable that he was by birth and education a Gentile. Second, In Acts 21:27, it is said that the Asiatic Jews excited the multitude against Paul because he had introduced `Gentiles' into the temple, thus defiling it. In Acts 21:28 it is said that the Gentile to whom they had reference was `Trophimus,' an Ephesian. Yet `Luke' was also at that time with Paul. If he had been regarded as `a Gentile' it is probable that they would have made complaint respecting `him' as well as `Trophimus;' from which it is supposed that he was a Jewish proselyte.'

Characteristics of Luke's Gospel:

The Gospel of Luke has been called `the most beautiful book ever written.' The style is charming and cultured and the way the stories are told is perfect.

In other studies we have put the question what difference it would make if we cut out of the Bible the book that is the subject of our investigation. How much of the Bible message would we loose if Luke were not one the Gospels? One example provides sufficient proof: The Christmas Story. Without Luke Chapter Two there would be no Christmas, no angels, no shepherds, no baby in a manger, etc.

But how did Luke do it? He was not there when Jesus was born in Bethlehem; he was maybe not even born at that time. But Mary, the mother of Jesus was and she was probably on of the first persons to be interviewed by Luke.

We assume that Luke received his first instructions about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from or via the Apostle Paul, whose travel companion he eventually became. Luke may even have been one of Paul's converts. But even Paul had never known Jesus personally before his encounter with the risen and glorified Lord on the way to Damascus. Whether Paul had ever seen or heard Jesus before the crucifixion is doubtful. Although Paul could have given Luke a wealth of information about Christ's message, he could not provide and biographical details about the Savior or give details about certain highlights of His life and ministry.

The assumption is that those details were still well-known and passed on orally. From The Pictorial Bible Dictionary, we copy the following: `A clue to the transition from oral preaching to written record is provided by explanatory statements in the Gospels of Luke and John. In the introduction to his Gospel, Luke asserts that he was undertaking to confirm by manuscript that his friend Theophilus had already learned by word of mouth (Luke 1:1-4). He spoke of facts which were taken for granted among believers, and indicated that there had already been numerous attempts to arrange them in orderly narratives. ... Luke affirmed on the contrary that he had derived his facts from those who `from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word' (1:2). Not only had his informants shared in the events of which they

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spoke, but also they had been so affected that they became propagandists of the new faith. Luke had been a contemporary of these witnesses, and had investigated personally of the truth of their claims that he might produce an orderly and accurate record of the work of Christ.'

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Outline of the Book5

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE ................................................................................................... 1 Introduction:.................................................................................................................... 1 The Author: ..................................................................................................................... 1 Date and Place of writing:........................................................................................... 2 Characteristics of Luke's Gospel: ................................................................................... 3

Outline of the Book............................................................................................................. 5 PREFACE 1:1-4................................................................................................................ 13

1. THE INFANCEY NARRATIVES 1:5 ? 2:52 ....................................................... 14 A. The birth of John foretold 1:5-25 ..................................................................... 14 B. The birth of Jesus foretold 1:26-38................................................................... 18 C. Mary's visit to Elizabeth 1:39-45 ..................................................................... 21 D. The song of Mary 1:46-56................................................................................. 22 E. The birth and naming of John 1:57-66............................................................. 25 F. The song of Zechariah 1:67-80 ......................................................................... 26 G. The birth of Jesus 2:1-7 .................................................................................... 30 H. The angels and the shepherds 2:8-20 ............................................................... 32 I. The baby Jesus 2:21-40...................................................................................... 37 1. The circumcision 2:21 ................................................................................................ 37 2. The presentation in the temple 2:22-24 ................................................................... 37 3. The song of Simeon 2:25-32 ...................................................................................... 38 4. Simeon's prophecy 2:33-35 ....................................................................................... 39 5. Anna's thanksgiving 2:36-38...................................................................................... 40 6. The return to Nazareth 2:39-40................................................................................. 41 J. The boy Jesus in the temple 2:41-52 ................................................................ 41

2. The ministry of John the Baptist 3:1-20................................................................. 45 3. The beginning of Jesus' ministry 3:21-4:13........................................................... 51

A. Jesus' baptism 3:21-22 ..................................................................................... 51 B. Jesus' genealogy 3:23-38................................................................................. 52 C. Jesus' temptations 4:1-13 .................................................................................. 53

5 From Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Luke, by Leon Morris.

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