Unique Issues in Luke–Acts
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Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy UNIQUE ISSUES IN LUKE–ACTS 1 The Omissions of Markan Material § 35% of Luke is drawn from Mark § Luke follows Markan order and incorporates large chunks of Mark at a time § However, he omits two Markan sections ü Mark 6:45–8:26 the great omission (after the first multiplication of the loaves through the second) ü Mark 9:41–10:12 the little omission (temptations to sin, teachings on divorce) 2 The Journey Motif § The Acts emphasis on Paul’s journeys influences the presentation of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem Mark’s brief references become The framework for ten to Jesus’ journey chapters in Luke (10:1, 32; 11:1) (9:51–19:27) § The journey in the gospel thus becomes the setting for most of Jesus’ teaching § In Acts, the earliest Christians are called Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the “the Way” (9:1-2) disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for § The narrator appears to join Paul for parts letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found of his journeys (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; any who belonged to the Way, and 27:1–28:16) men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 1 Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles tell us where Jesus’ 11 disciples preached after his death Peter Andrew Philip Thomas John son of Zebedee James bro of Jesus and James son of Zebedee (Jerusalem) Bartholomew/Nathanael and Jude/Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot Matthew (Egypt or Persia), James son of Alphaeus/the Less, and early preaching of Simon the Zealot 4 Luke’s Acts of the Apostles focus almost exclusively on Paul 5 Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy PARABLES IN LUKE 6 2 What Is a Parable? § an oral teaching technique in which the teacher uses a story with a built-in riddle or question to prod his audience to think differently or to change their behavior § parables presume resistance to the message § they are intentionally open-ended to prevent moralizing (drawing one fiXed lesson from them) § they encourage each person to take responsibility to apply them in his/her own life § there are some 33 in the gospels ú 31 of these are only in the synoptics ú 20 of those are in Luke ú and 10 of those are only in Luke ú 15 of Luke’s 20 parables are in the travel narrative 7 What Is a Parable? The literary form “parable” or “similitude” usually has the following structure: § narrative introduction § story § question posed by storyteller § true answer given by audience § storyteller’s conclusion § narrative conclusion 8 The Parable of the Two Creditors Luke 7:36-50 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he § narrative introduction went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. § story And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned § question posed by that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an storyteller alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, § true answer given by weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to audience dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet § storyteller’s conclusion and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the § narrative conclusion Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” 9 3 The Parable of the Two Creditors Luke 7:36-50 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred § narrative introduction denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he § story canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will § question posed by love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for storyteller whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, § true answer given by “You have judged rightly.” audience § storyteller’s conclusion § narrative conclusion 10 The Parable of the Two Creditors Luke 7:36-50 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you § narrative introduction see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water § story for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and § question posed by dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the storyteller time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did § true answer given by not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet audience with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were § storyteller’s conclusion many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. § narrative conclusion But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 11 The Parable of the Lost & Found Luke 15 § narrative introduction § story § § § Now all the taX collectors and sinners were coming near to § listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: 12 4 13 Parables in Luke From Mark From Q Unique to Luke § Two debtors (7:41-43) § Sower (8:5-8) § Allegory of the seeds (8:11-15) § Good Samaritan (10:29-37) § Friend at midnight (11:5-8) § Faithful and wise § Rich fool (12:13-21) servant (12:42-46) § Mustard seed (13:18-19) § Leaven (13:20-21) § Great supper (14:16-24) § Lost sheep (15:4-7) § Lost coin (15:8-10) § Lost son (15:11-32) § Unjust steward (16:1-8) § Rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31) § Widow and Judge (18:1-8) § Talents or pounds § Pharisee & tax collector (18:9-14) § Wicked tenants (20:9-18) (19:11-27) § Fig tree (21:29-31) 14 The Rich Man & Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 § Who is the audience? § How are the Pharisees characterized? § What holds together the material in the larger narrative unit, starting in 16:14? In particular, what is the relation of vvs. 16-18, about the law and divorce, to the teaching of the rich man and Lazarus? § In what ways are the rich man and Lazarus characterized as literary foils for each other? 15 5 Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy LUKE’S ECONOMIC INTEREST & ETHIC 16 Luke’s Material on Wealth What he keeps from Mark Mark Luke 4:19 Parable of the sower ✓ cares if the world, delight in riches, desire for other things, choke out the word 7:22 What defiles a person (debate with Pharisees) ✓ things from the heart, not the outside: e.g., theft, coveting (Luke: extortion) 10:17-31 The rich young man ✓ in Mark, “he went away sorrowful”; in Luke, he (just) “became sad” 11:15-17 Temple scene: overturning the money-changers’ tables “You have made it a den of robbers” ✓ 12:40 Woe to the Pharisees ✓ who devour widows’ houses 12:41-44 The widow’s mite (not in Matthew) ✓ 13:3-9 Anointing at Bethany ✗ “For you always have the poor with you” 17 Luke’s Material on Wealth What he keeps from Q Q Luke 6:20-23 Blessed are the poor, hungry, those who weep ✓ 6:37-38 The measure you give will be the measure ✓ you get back 11:42 Woe to you Pharisees “You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice ✓ and the love of God” 12:21, 31, 33-34 Laying up treasure for self vs. God ✓ 12:22-31 AnXieties about earthly things ✓ 14:16-24 The parable of the great supper “Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in” ✓ 14:16-24 Serving God and mammon Luke adds 3 verses before on same topic ✓ 18 6 Luke’s Material on Wealth Unique Material § Annunciation of Jesus’ birth comes to a young single girl in a small village far from Jerusalem (1:26-38) § She praises God for throwing the mighty down from their thrones and lifting the lowly (1:46-55) § She gives birth far from home, forced to travel there by an imperial taX census (2:1-7) § The baby’s crib is a manger — an animal food trough (2:7) § The visitors who come to pay him homage are shepherds (2:8-20) 19 Luke’s Material on Wealth Unique Material § John the Baptist’s preaching includes three economic commands (3:10-14; cf. §15) ú crowds: share extra clothes, food ú tax collectors: don’t collect more than is due ú soldiers: don’t extort, be satisfied with your wages (4:16-22) § Jesus begins his ministry by reading Isaiah’s promise of redemption, and saying it is fulfilled (4:16-22) 20 Jesus as Prophet Inaugural Words in the Nazareth Synagogue 4:16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.