THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE An overview of the Gospel By Mike Pascual.

THE GOSPEL THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKEACCORDING TO LUKE

An overview of the Gospel An overview of the Gospel

By Mike PascualBy Mike Pascual

Basic InformationBasic Information

►Date Written: 80-85 ADDate Written: 80-85 AD After Mark before Jerusalem war (66-70AD) After Mark before Jerusalem war (66-70AD) presupposes destruction of Jerusalempresupposes destruction of Jerusalem Does not reflect Domitian’s persecution Does not reflect Domitian’s persecution

(81-96)(81-96)►Locale: Somewhere in Syria or GreeceLocale: Somewhere in Syria or Greece►AuthorAuthor

Traditional:Traditional:►Luke, a physician and companion or colleague Luke, a physician and companion or colleague

of Paul. Also wrote Acts.of Paul. Also wrote Acts.

Basic Information Cont.Basic Information Cont.

►Author detectable from ContentsAuthor detectable from Contents A Greek speaker, possibly a Gentile A Greek speaker, possibly a Gentile

Christian, well educated and was not an Christian, well educated and was not an eyewitness. Drew on Mark and a collection eyewitness. Drew on Mark and a collection of the sayings of the Lord (Q), as well as of the sayings of the Lord (Q), as well as other available traditions, oral or written.other available traditions, oral or written.

Likely to have known Paul. Of all the Gospel Likely to have known Paul. Of all the Gospel Authors by Tradition, this one is the most Authors by Tradition, this one is the most likely.likely.

►May have known Paul in his earlier years May have known Paul in his earlier years because his depiction of Paul is contrary to that because his depiction of Paul is contrary to that of the Epistles.of the Epistles.

Luke’s Literary StyleLuke’s Literary Style

►The talents of Luke as artist and The talents of Luke as artist and theologian are manytheologian are many Master of Greek (most refined of Gospels)Master of Greek (most refined of Gospels) Uses sources creatively for narrative Uses sources creatively for narrative

effecteffect Adopts about 60% of MarkAdopts about 60% of Mark

Luke’s TeachingLuke’s Teaching

►AudienceAudience Addresses a primarily Gentile audience Addresses a primarily Gentile audience

►Continuity with the OldContinuity with the Old Narrative feels like continuity of Old Narrative feels like continuity of Old

TestamentTestament

►ControversiesControversies Internal: The Jewish Christians in communityInternal: The Jewish Christians in community External: Harassment from local Jewish External: Harassment from local Jewish

synagogue leaderssynagogue leaders

Luke’s Teaching Cont.Luke’s Teaching Cont.

► Jesus’ missionJesus’ mission The recurring theme of the NEW ISRAELThe recurring theme of the NEW ISRAEL Jesus illustrated as the REJECTED Jesus illustrated as the REJECTED

PROPHETPROPHET Jesus as a character of mercyJesus as a character of mercy The recurring theme of God’s faithfulnessThe recurring theme of God’s faithfulness

The Key Question of LukeThe Key Question of Luke

If God has not been faithful to the If God has not been faithful to the promises made to God’s chosen people promises made to God’s chosen people and has allowed their holy city and and has allowed their holy city and Temple to be destroyed, what reason do Temple to be destroyed, what reason do Gentile Christians have to think that God Gentile Christians have to think that God will be faithful to promises made to them?will be faithful to promises made to them?

Other NotesOther Notes

►Theological GeographyTheological Geography Read Luke-Acts with a MapRead Luke-Acts with a Map

►Moves from Nazareth to Jerusalem to RomeMoves from Nazareth to Jerusalem to Rome►Symbolizes movement from rural area to the Symbolizes movement from rural area to the

capital to Israel to the capital of the Gentiles.capital to Israel to the capital of the Gentiles.►Gospel has a major shift when Jesus “turns to Gospel has a major shift when Jesus “turns to

Jerusalem” (see 9:51)Jerusalem” (see 9:51)

Other Notes (cont)Other Notes (cont)

►The Spirit appears to be the “main The Spirit appears to be the “main character” of Luke-Actscharacter” of Luke-Acts

►The Theme of Salvation HistoryThe Theme of Salvation History The Story of Israel, to Jesus to ActsThe Story of Israel, to Jesus to Acts Characters are prophets, Messiah and Characters are prophets, Messiah and

ApostlesApostles Identity are Jew, Jew and Jewish/Gentiles.Identity are Jew, Jew and Jewish/Gentiles. All moved by the same Spirit.All moved by the same Spirit.

The Acts of the ApostlesThe Acts of the Apostles

►Date Written: 80-90Date Written: 80-90►Locale: Somewhere in Syria or GreeceLocale: Somewhere in Syria or Greece►Same Author as LukeSame Author as Luke

Luke’s purpose for writing Luke’s purpose for writing ActsActs

►Opening intro to both Gospel and Acts Opening intro to both Gospel and Acts gives cluegives clue Written to help Christians understand Written to help Christians understand

themselves more clearly. themselves more clearly. Intended to write a narrative history.Intended to write a narrative history.

►Similar theme of LukeSimilar theme of Luke How could non-Jews find value in How could non-Jews find value in

Christianity?Christianity?►Especially if it was rejected by most Jews?Especially if it was rejected by most Jews?

Luke’s presentation of Luke’s presentation of MaterialMaterial

►Concentrates on bringing historical Concentrates on bringing historical reality vividly to the readerreality vividly to the reader Concentrates on particular scenesConcentrates on particular scenes Ignores chronological sequences for the Ignores chronological sequences for the

narrativenarrative

►Uses the Greco-Roman literary device: Uses the Greco-Roman literary device: The Speech The Speech

►Joke: The Acts of Apostles should be titled Joke: The Acts of Apostles should be titled “Speeches of Peter and Paul.”“Speeches of Peter and Paul.”

Luke’s presentation et al.Luke’s presentation et al.

►Peter and Paul in ActsPeter and Paul in Acts parallel the works of Jesus in Gospel of parallel the works of Jesus in Gospel of

LukeLuke

►While Luke is a good story-teller, he’s While Luke is a good story-teller, he’s not a good editornot a good editor Some details become inconsistent in Some details become inconsistent in

narrativenarrative Others argue its for narrative effectOthers argue its for narrative effect

Sources of ActsSources of Acts

►Luke was clearly a resourceful GreekLuke was clearly a resourceful Greek Unfortunately, we don’t know the sources Unfortunately, we don’t know the sources

of his informationof his information

►After Chapter 15, perhaps the sources After Chapter 15, perhaps the sources was a travel diary written by a was a travel diary written by a companion of Paul companion of Paul Of second and third journeyOf second and third journey

Travels of PaulTravels of Paul

AD 36 Conversion to Christ

Damascus

Jerusalem

39 Visit to Jerusalem40-44 In Cicilia44-45 At Antioch

Antioch

Cicilia (area)

First Missionary JourneyFirst Missionary JourneyPaul (46-49)Paul (46-49)

Derbe

Perga

Attalia

Paphos

Antioch

Antioch

Cyprus

Salamis

49 AD Council of Jerusalem

Second Missionary Second Missionary JourneyJourney

Paul (50-52)Paul (50-52)

Derbe

Philippi

Athens

Jerusalem

Antioch

Antioch

Caesaria

Thessalonica

CorinthEphesus

1 Thessalonians

Third Missionary JourneyThird Missionary JourneyPaul (54-58)Paul (54-58)

58-60 Arrested in JerusalemImprisoned in Caesarea60-61 Sent to Rome61-63 Prisoner in Rome64 DEATH

Jerusalem

Ephesus

GalatiansPhilippiansPhilemon1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansRomans

Derbe

Philippi

Athens

Antioch

Antioch

Caesaria

Corinth

ThessalonicaPaul’s 3-year stay at Ephesus[imprisoned?]

Sources CitedSources Cited

►Brown, Raymond E., Brown, Raymond E., An Introduction to An Introduction to the New Testament the New Testament (New York: (New York: Doubleday, 1997).Doubleday, 1997).

►Brown, R., eds, Brown, R., eds, The New Jerome Bible The New Jerome Bible Handbook Handbook (Collegeville: The Liturgical (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992).Press, 1992).