Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

Authorship

• Luke - Companion of Paul, mentioned in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon, Gentile

• Luke the Physician? - inferred by description of things in New Testament

• What do we know about the author? - scholar, diverse vocab, sophisticated knowledge of Greek and Hebrew texts, either a Hellenist Christian or God Fearer, wrote both Luke and Acts, companion with Paul

Context

• Theophilus - a patron funding the gospel or a literary device (“lovers of God”)

• Other Writings - Familiar with other writings, maybe even other gospels

• “Orderly Account” - Other gospels were disorderly

• Gentile Audience - maybe written to Ephesus

• 80 CE - Written in

• Purpose - Answer questions, Has Christianity failed? How do you theologically justify the persecution and destruction?

  • Told in a three-fold drama - Act 1 (The Birth Narrative), Act 2 (The Long Journey and Teachings/Passion Era), Act 3 (Acts)

Style and Writing

• Utilized Mark, Q, and L

• Edits of Mark - Add historical details, along with fixing grammar and details, doesn’t use Mark as much as Matthew

• Style of Septuagint - epic, Old Time--y and regal

• Poetry - Luke 1:42 Ave Maria

• Long Journey - Narrative, Galilee to Jerusalem

• Longest Gospel - Luke

• Unique Stories - many stories are just in Luke

Themes

• Worship and Prayer - Poems become liturgical hymns, Jesus prays more in Luke than any other Gospel

• Food (Banquets) - Important for Greco-Roman World, so Luke uses it; Jesus is even called a drunkard and glutton

• Marginalized - Jesus hangs out with the marginalized; the lesser play a major role; Jesus is for everyone, not just Jews

• Jesus is the Universal Savior - Son of Man (Mark), Son of God (Matthew); Jesus is sent for everyone and portrayed like Greek heroes (Philosopher, Benefactor, Immortal)

• Salvation in Present Tense - People are healed now, liberated now; possibly in response to Jesus not coming as soon as they expected

• Holy Spirit - main character in Luke and Acts