Synoptic Gospels: Luke - Exam 3

When was Luke around?

75-85 AD

Who was Luke?

- a Roman practicing physician

- a partner with Paul → went on 2/3 of his missionary mission

- wrote the book of acts and the Gospel of Luke

Who was the Gospel of Luke addressed to?

Theophilus

What are the theories as to who Theophilus was?

1. he was a bureaucrat

2. it was a group not a person

Why would Luke have written to Theophilus if he were a person?

to say that Jesus and Christianity were not a threat and that it was actually a peaceful movement

Why would Luke have written to Theophilus if it was a group?

- the name "Theophilus" symbolically represented people seeking God

- He was explaining Christianity and its message to them → bringing "outsiders" into the community

What is the story of the naming of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke?

1. Elizabeth was married to a priest → they were old and unable to have children

2. an angel appeared to the priest and told him that Elizabeth would give birth to a son

3. the priest didn't believe the news

4. Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy

5. according to the angel's instructions, the baby was supposed to be named John → however, the family was expecting him to receive a family name

6. Elizabeth insisted that his name would be John

7. the family questioned her decision and asked the priest

8. he confirmed the baby's name was John

What is the message behind the naming of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke?

- Elizabeth demonstrates authority in a society where men held greater religious and social power

- women have authority and important roles in God's plan

What is the story of Mary in the Gospel of Luke?

1. Mary was betrothed to Joseph when an angel appeared to her

2. the angel said to her that she was going to have a baby

3. Mary was confused because she had not had sexual relations

4. the angel explained that the child would be conceived through the Holy Spirit

5. Mary accepted God's plan

What is the message behind the story of Mary in the Gospel of Luke?

God can work through people who lack social power or status, including young women like Mary

What is the birth story in the Gospel of Luke?

1. Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem

2. Jesus was wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger because there was no room for them

3. Jesus is called the Messiah, but was born in humble circumstances → theme of inclusivity

4. an angel appears to shepherds who are watching their flocks at night

5. the angel announces the birth of Jesus, and the shepherds travel to Bethlehem to see him

Why are the shepherds important in the birth story in the Gospel of Luke?

- shepherds were viewed as socially unimportant and were distrusted and disrespected → shepherds' laws

- they were among the first people to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth → meaning the good news is for everyone (inclusivity)

What are shepherds' laws?

- rules intended to hold shepherds accountable for sheep that were lost, stolen, or killed while under their care

- if a sheep was killed by a wild animal, the shepherd might have to provide evidence, such as a piece of the animal's remains

- if the shepherd could not account for the missing sheep, they might be held financially responsible

What miracle stories are in the Gospel of Luke?

1. Jesus heals people with leprosy

2. the woman with continuous bleeding

3. the centurion

4. the dinner at the Pharisee's house

What is the miracle story of the lepers in the Gospel of Luke?

Jesus heals ten men with leprosy, and one returns to thank him

Why is the miracle story of the lepers in the Gospel of Luke important?

- lepers were considered outsiders → they were banished from the community

- Jesus did not treat those individuals differently because of their illness

What is the miracle story of the woman with continuous bleeding in the Gospel of Luke?

1. Jesus encounters a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years

2. the woman approaches Jesus in a crowd

3. she reaches out and touches the edge of his clothing

4. her bleeding immediately stops

5. Jesus notices that someone has touched him and asks who it was

6. the woman comes forward

7. Jesus calls her "daughter" and says, "your faith has made you well"

Why is the miracle story of the woman with continuous bleeding in the Gospel of Luke important?

- under the law, her bleeding would have made her "unclean"

- "unclean" people are outsiders

- Jesus chooses to make her apart of His family when others rejected her

What is the miracle story of the centurion in the Gospel of Luke?

1. a centurion has a servant whom he values

2. the servant is ill and close to death

3. the centurion sends for Jesus' help

4. Jesus goes to the centurion's home

5. the centurion says he is not worthy to have Jesus enter his home

6. Jesus just says the word and the servant is instantaneously healed

Why is the miracle story of the centurion in the Gospel of Luke important?

- the centurion is a Roman military officer and a Gentile

- Jesus does not reject him for his background, but rather praises his faith

What is the miracle story of the dinner at the Pharisee's house in the Gospel of Luke?

1. a Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner

2. while Jesus is eating, a woman known in the community as a sinner enters the house

3. she approaches Jesus and washes his feet with her tears

Why is the miracle story of the dinner at the Pharisee's house in the Gospel of Luke important?

- the woman is considered a sinner and is looked down upon by others

- Jesus offers forgiveness and dignity to someone whom others reject (inclusivity)

What parables are in the Gospel of Luke?

1. the good samaritan

2. the prodigals son

What is the parable of the good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke?

1. a man is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho

2. robbers attack him, steal his belongings, beat him, and leave him severely injured on the road

3. a priest walks by, sees the injured man, and walks past without helping

4. a Levi walks by, sees the injured man, and walks past without helping

5. a Samaritan walks by, sees the injured man, and stops to help

6. the Samaritan treats the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care

Why is the parable of the good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke important?

- the Samaritan would have been viewed as an outsider by many of Jesus' Jewish listeners

- Jesus insulted those who preached good but didn't do good

- Jesus teaches that being a good neighbor means helping people in need, regardless of their background

What is the parable of the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke?

1. a younger son asks his father for his inheritance early

2. he leaves home and wastes his money, eventually becoming poor and desperate

3. he decides to return home and ask his father for forgiveness

4. instead of rejecting him, the father runs to embrace him and celebrates his return

5. the older brother becomes upset because he has remained faithful while his younger brother behaved irresponsibly

6. the father explains that they should celebrate because the younger son was lost and has been found

Why is the parable of the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke important?

- the father represents God's mercy and forgiveness

- the younger son represents someone who has made mistakes and turned away

- the older brother represents the attitude of someone who believes another person does not deserve forgiveness

- God's love is not limited to people who have always behaved correctly