Gospel of Luke (Exam 2)

NT Glover - Exam 2

Luke Special Element (@ beginning)

The only gospel that starts with a preface!

• extremely advanced technique

author in the preface

• does NOT claim any authorship in the preface

  • because at the symposium, the patron would introduce him, so there was no need

• not an eyewitness

• (probably a 2nd or 3rd generation Christian)

• an ELITE author (w/his use of the preface)

audience of Luke (mentioned in the preface)

Theophilus and also interested non-Christians/inquirers of the GR world

Who is Theophilus?

• Most likely the patron who paid for the production of the Gospel of Luke (and Acts)

• Luke was written to give him the truth or the basics of the Christian faith

• theos + philos = friend of God

7 common features of prefaces

1. statements about the predecessors (usually listing their inadequacies)

2. the subject matter

3. the author’s qualifications

4. the plan or arrangement

5. the purpose of writing

6. the author’s name

7. the official addresse or patron

Writing and Publishing GR Context

• no copyright or publishing laws

• needed a patron to pay for the work because no money was made after the work was published

• At a symposium, the literature would be recited or an art piece displayed

  • don’t need to reference the author’s name in the text because the patron would introduce them at the symposium

• Listening, audience engages with comments and questions

• from there, they get more customers

symposium

dinner party (means “drink together”) to celebrate the art that the patron commissioned; like getting together to watch a film a friend has made

key theme mentioned in Luke’s preface

“fulfilled”

• used in verse 1

• paints the following narrative as a fulfillment of OT prophecies and promises

Who is Luke?

• the assumed author of Luke and Acts

• name originates from later scribes and NT books 

  • from the “we-sections” in Acts

• one of the most highly educated writers in the NT

  • more than Paul

Jesus’' Inagural Sermon

• introduces Luke as the Gospel for the Poor

• Luke 4:16-18 (Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isa 61)

  • introduces the literal actions Jesus will take, as well as the metaphorical implications

  • References the Year of Jubilee

    • Jesus is bringing that eternally for all people

Year of Jubilee reference

• occurs every 50 years as the ultimate Sabbath year

  • a culmination of 7 sets of 7 years

• during which, all debts wiped away, and ancstral land is returned for free, etc

  • “goes back to the way it is supposed to be”

Luke’s Gospel Characterization

Good news is for the poor!

Luke’s additions to Mark

• infancy narratives

• sayings and parables

  • the Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan, Rich Man, Lazarus, Sermon on the Plain (shorter sermon on the Mount)

• speeches

• intense concern for the marginalized

• resurrection appearances/stories

  • “road to emmaus”

  • appears to disciples and others in Jerusalem

“Road to Emmaus” story

• found only in Luke

• Jesus travels with 2 (disciple and not disciple)

• explains to them how the OT predicted the suffering Messiah

• They have communion with Jesus, only recognizing Him when He breaks the bread