The Gospel of Luke

Introduction

Luke

A physician (Col 4:14) and a colleague of Paul (2 Tim 4:11).

A researcher v1

Wrote 2 NT books.

Theophilus

Hellenists

60-70AD - Likely 60-63AD

Luke was a physician (Col 4:14) and a colleague of Paul (2 Tim 4:11).

Luke compiled his gospel through research. (compile v1, write an orderly account v3)

Luke wrote 2 NT books - The Gospel of Luke and The book of Acts.

These book comprise about 27.5% of the NT.

Luke’s specific audience was Theophilus. (Lover of God) Also Acts 1

Luke wrote 2

A high ranking government official in Greece or Rome

Luke’s general audience was the Hellenist (Greek speaking and culture)

Golden Age of Greece 500BC-300BC

Greece Colonized and Democracy Begins (750-508BC)

Persian Wars (c.500-480BC)

Pericles and the Peloponnesian War (461-404BC)

Greek Philosophers (450-322BC)

NT Timeline

Powers

Greeks - Language

Israel - Hopes

Romans - Roads

Luke was likely written between 60-70AD (I think 60-63AD)

Theological Outline (24 chapters 6 parts)

I.BIRTH STORIES 1–2

II.PREPARATION 3

III.IN GALILEE 4–9

IV.TRAVELING TO JERUSALEM 10–19

V. IN JERUSALEM 20–21

VI.PASSION 22–24

Birth Stories

Luke’s gospel gives us the fullest account of Jesus’ birth.

This speaks to the humanity of Jesus - Luke 2:52

Luke 2:52 ESV

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

The Gospel’s Focus

Matthew - The Messianic King

Mark - The Son of God

Luke - The Son of Man

John - The Fully Divine Son of God

The 1st Council of Nicea 325AD

Arianism is the belief that Christ was somewhat like God, but not fully God.  Instead, he was the highest of all created beings.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Preparation

John the Baptist prepares the way

He quotes the prophet Isaiah in Luke 3:4 - Prepare the way of the Lord.

Jesus Baptism - Luke 3:21-22

Luke 3:21–22 ESV

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

In Galilee

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.

The rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

Luke 4:31 ESV

31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath,

He heals, preaches, calls his disciples, heals, preaches and teaches.

Luke 4:43 ESV

43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Chapter 9 - He sends out his apostles to preach and heal.

Then he announces he will die twice Luke 9:22, 44

Luke 9:22 ESV

22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

He then tells his followers twice they must consider the cost Luke 9:23ff, 53ff

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Traveling To Jerusalem

Luke 10:1 ESV

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

Luke 13:22 ESV

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

More teaching on the cost of following Jesus - Luke 14:25ff

Luke 17:11 ESV

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

Luke 18:15–17 ESV

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Jesus tell about his death a third time Luke 18:31-34

He was near Jerusalem Luke 19:11

Luke 19:11 ESV

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

In Jerusalem

Jesus was teaching and preaching in the temple and the religious officials asked him if he had permission. Luke 20:1-3

Luke 21:37 ESV

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.

Passion

Is used to cover the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus in the Gospels.

Luke 22:2 ESV

2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Luke 23:46 ESV

46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Luke 23:53 ESV

53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.

Luke 24 is about the resurrection.

Why was Jesus able to rise from the dead?

He was sinless

Death had no claim on him.

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death,

But it does have a claim on you.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But Jesus offers you a gift.

Themes

Women are important image bearers.

Luke emphasizes the role of women in a culture that viewed them as unimportant.

Mary the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, and Anna in the birth stories.

The sisters Mary and Martha the sister of Lazarus. (10:38-40)

Mary Magdalene (8:2ff)

An unnamed widow (7:11ff)

An unnamed woman with a disability (13:11)

The poor widow who gave all she had (21:1-4)

Women are in the parables of the lost coin (15:8ff), and the unjust judge (18:1ff)

The Poor

Jesus preached the gospel to the the poor (4:18, 7:22)

Jesus bless the poor (6:20) and pronounces woe on the riche (6:24)

Jesus himself was born poor (2:24)

Salvation for All

Syrian - Luke 4:25-27

Romans - Luke 7:2-10

Samaritans - 9:51-54, 10:30-37, 17:16

All Nations - Luke 24:47

Luke 24:47 ESV

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.