The of Luke (an Overview and Reading Plan)

I. Luke's Gospel begins with an extensive prologue.

1:1-4 Dedication to 1:5-56 Announcement of births (John and ) 1:57-2:21 Birth of John and Jesus 2:22-38 Presentation of Jesus in the Temple 2:41-52 Twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple

II. Note - Luke's “Gospel” was written in two volumes. These volumes were intended to be read together (:1-4; Acts 1:1-5).

III. Luke’s Gospel contains a large amount of material not found anywhere else.

Prologue 1:1-2:52 Infancy Narrative 5:1-11 Miraculous catch of fish 7:11-17 Widow of Nain’s son 13:10-17 Crippled woman 14:1-6 Man with dropsy 17: 11-19 Ten Lepers Parables 10:29-37 Good Samaritan 11:5-8 Friend at midnight 12:13-21 Rich fool 15:11-32 Forgiving father 16:1-12 Unjust steward 16:19-31 18:9-14 Pharisse and publican Also 7:40-43; 13:6-9; 14:28- 30, 31-32; 15:8-10; 17:7-10; 18:1-8 Stories 10:38-42 Mary and 19:1-10 24:13-27 Walk to 24:50-53 The Ascension (cf. Acts 1:6-11)

IV. receives special emphasis in Luke.

2:22-52 Childhood visits to Jerusalem 9:51-19:40 Ten chapter journey to Jerusalem 19:41-44 Jesus weeps over Jerusalem 24:41-43 Resurrection appearances in and around Jerusalem 24:44-49 Jesus tells the disciples, “Stay in Jerusalem.”

V. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes worship and .

Begins (1:8) and ends (24:53) with scenes of worship. Liturgical material: 1:46-55 1:67:79 Benedictus 2:14 Gloria in excelsis 2:29-32 Jesus at prayer: 3:21 at his baptism 6:12 on choosing his disciples 9:28 at the transfiguration

Also: three parables on prayer (11:5-8; 18:1-8, 9-14) and frequent encouragement to pray (18:1; 21:36; 22:40).

Even Jesus’ death is and occasion for glorifying God (23:47).

VI. Luke emphasizes God's salvation story.

A. Jesus is born a Savior (2:11). B. People are saved by faith (7:36-50; 8:42b-48). C. Salvation comes to Zacchaeus' house (19:1-10) D. Jesus' mission is to save.

Luke thinks that there are many things from which people need to be “saved”: demonic influences, disease, hunger, poverty, ostracism, attachment to wealth, etc. Jesus is the great liberator who sets people free from anything that keeps them from the life that God wants them to have…the Kingdom of God.

VII. Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit.

A. Jesus is conceived by the Spirit (1:35) and anointed with the Spirit (3:22; 4:1, 14, 18). B. People are filled with the Spirit (1:15, 41, 67) and inspired by the Spirit (2:25-27). C. God will give the Holy Spirit to all who ask (11:13). D. The disciples will be "clothed with power from on high" (24:49).

VIII. Luke emphasizes Jesus' ministry to the excluded.

A. The poor (1:52-53; 4:18; 6:17-26; 7:22; 12:16-21; 16:19-31; 19:2-10)

1. Mary's Song (1:52-53) The Magnificat comes from the Latin "glorifies." 2. Jesus' mission (4:18; 7:22) 3. The (6:17-26) 4. The rich fool (12:16-21) 5. The dishonest steward (16:1-9) 6. The rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31) 7. The story of Zacchaeus (19:2-10) B. Women The Birth and infancy stories (1-2). Cf. also 7:11-17, 36-50; 8:2, 42b-48; 10:38-42; 21:1-4; 23:27- 31; 23:55-24:11). Women play a more prominent role in Luke's Gospel than they do in all the other . C. Outcasts and sinners 1. Tax collectors (5:27-32; 19:2-10; 18:9-14)

a) Levi (5:27-32) b) Zacchaeus (19:2-10) c) Tax collector and Pharisee (18:9-14)

2. (10:29-37; 17:11-19)

3. Other "lost" people (15:1-32)

a) Lost sheep (15:3-7) b) Lost coin (15:8-10) c) Lost son (15:11-32) VIII. Luke seems to have an unusual interest in food.

Food for the hungry: 1:53; 6:25 Table etiquette: 7:44-46; 14:7-14; 22:27 Banquet parables: 14:7-11, 12-14, 15-24; 15:25-32; 16:19-30 In all, Jesus is present at 19 meals: he is criticized for eating too much and with the wrong people (7:34; cf. 5:30, 33; 15:2; 19:7)

IX. Events reported in Luke are tied to their historical context.

1:5 Herod the king 2:1-2 Caesar Augustus 3:1-2 Caesar

X. An Outline of Luke

A. Prologue (1:1-4). B. Introduction to John & Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God (1:5-4:13) C. Ministry in (4:14-9:50) D. Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:44) (9:51; 13:22; 17:11; 18:31; 19:28) E. Teaching in the Temple (19:45-21:38) F. Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension (22:1-24:53) READING PLAN – TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 15 th As you read, ask yourself some questions:

1 – What is Jesus doing? How is Jesus revealing His kingdom? 2 – What are the disciples doing? What are they learning? 3 – What are you learning? Observing? What stands out to you?

11/15 – Luke 1 11/27 – 12/11 – 11/18 – 12/2 – 12/12 – 11/19 – 12/3 – 12/13 – 11/20 – 12/4 – 12/16 – 11/21 – 12/5 – 12/17 – 11/22 – 12/6 – 12/18 – 11/25 – 12/9 – 12/19 – 11/26 – 12/10 – 12/20 –