Gospel of Luke

GOSPEL OF LUKE Introduction and Chapter 1

Teacher: John M. Brown, Flatwoods church of Christ, Sunday Bible Class, July 2002

A. AUTHOR: Luke (see 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2), the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) who was a companion and fellow-worker with Paul (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16; Philemon 24) and was with Paul during his final imprisonment and martyrdom (2 Timothy 4:11). Of his early life, conversion, and later life we have no further information.

B. DATE: about 60 AD (most likely from Caesarea during Paul’s imprisonment, Acts 24:27).

C. STYLE OF THE BOOK: From reading Luke 1:1-4, it is very interesting and instructive to note that Luke was familiar with other accounts of others of the life of Jesus (1:1), was familiar with eyewitnesses (1:2), carefully arranged his book (1:3), and intended to factually confirm these truths about Jesus to Theophilus (1:4).

D. TO WHOM WRITTEN: Theophilus, whose name means “friend of God.” He was a man of high position (“most excellent…”- compare Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25) to whom Acts is also addressed (Acts 1:1). Though specifically addressed to this individual, the book has a decidedly Gentile tone, indicating an appeal to a wider Gentile audience.

E. THEME: Jesus, the Son of Man (an emphasis on Jesus’ humanity – Jesus as the ideal Man!)

F. WHY FOUR GOSPELS? Sometimes people wonder why there are four gospel accounts, instead of just one – why not just have one written account of the life and teaching of Jesus? There are a couple apparent explanations:

1. TWO OR THREE WITNESSES ESTABLISH A MATTER. An important Bible principle is that “two or three” witnesses were necessary to establish the truthfulness of a matter (see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16), so we would expect the Bible to contain more than one account of the life of Christ. In fact, we have four!

2. DIFFERENT AUDIENCES. Each of the four gospels all relate one central truth: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. But they each teach that truth with a different emphasis, depending on their audience and its culture:

MATTHEW: to the Jews – CHRIST THE KING! MARK: to the Romans – CHRIST THE SERVANT! LUKE: to the Gentiles – CHRIST THE SON OF MAN! JOHN: to all (20:30-31) – CHRIST THE SON OF GOD! G. SOME DISTINCTIVES OF LUKE: 1. The emphasis on wisdom and beauty (being particularly appealing to Greeks).

2. The prominent place given women (see chapters 1-2, 7:11-17, 36-50; 8:1-3, 48; 10:38-42; 13:16; 21:1-4; 23:27-31, 49)

3. An emphasis on prayer (3:21; 5:12-16; 6:12; 9:18, 28-29; 10:21; 11:1-4; 18:1-8; 21:36; 22:39-46; 23:34, 46).

4. A particular regard for the poor (6:20-25; 8:2-3; 12:16-21; 14:12-15; 16:13; 18:25).

5. A unique emphasis on the individual (10:29-37; 15:11-32; 17:11-19; 18:9-14; 19:1- 10; 23:39-43).

CHAPTER 1

I. Introduction, vv. 1-4 A. Luke acknowledges the contributions of others in recording the story of Jesus. B. Luke wrote to Theophilus to assure (verify, validate) him of the events of Jesus’ life in which he had been instructed.

II. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF JOHN’S BIRTH, vv. 5-25

A. The priest Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth.

1. They were righteous people, but childless, and the angel of God promises them a child whose name would be called John. 2. John would turn many of the children of Israel to God, in the spirit and power of Elijah (see Malachi 4:6), to make the people prepared for the Lord. 3. Zacharias would be dumb (unable to speak).

B. Elizabeth conceives, and hides herself five months.

II. THE ANNOUNCMENT OF JESUS’ BIRTH, vv. 26-56

A. The angel Gabriel appears to the virgin Mary to tell her she shall bear a son!

1. Mary had found great favor with God. 2. The description of the child she would bear: Son – Jesus – Great – Son of the Highest – Throne – Reign.

Compare Acts 2:25-36; Hebrews 1:3, 13 B. Mary is told that with God, this event would be possible.

1. She enters the house of Elisabeth – Elisabeth calls her “the mother of my Lord.” 2. Mary rejoices in God her Savior, and acknowledges the great things that God had done toward her. 3. Mary spent three months with Elisabeth, then returned to her own home.

III. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, vv. 57-80

A. Elisabeth’s son is born.

1. He is circumcised the eighth day (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:2-3), and called JOHN. 2. Zacharias’ speech returns, and he praises God!

B. Zacharias prophecies (and his prophecies relate to the work of John and Jesus):

1. God has visited His people, to redeem them and deliver them. 2. God remembered His oath (promise) to Abraham (see Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). 3. What Zacharias says concerning John:

a. He shall be a prophet of God (see Matthew 11:9). b. He shall prepare the way of the Lord (see Matthew 3:1-4). c. He shall give people knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins (see Matthew 3:11). d. He would let people know God had visited them to give light and guide their feet in the way of peace.

4. John grew physically and spiritually, staying in the deserts until his public appearance to Israel.

NOTE ON JOHN THE BAPTIST: See John 1:19-34

a. He was not the Christ (Messiah, Savior). b. He was not Elijah (not literally, but one like Elijah – see Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:12-14; 17:10-13). c. He was a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing people for the Lord (see Isaiah 40:3). d. He calls Jesus “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” e. He had confirmed, and proclaimed, that Jesus is “the Son of God.”