The Gospel of Luke
Author.
Physician Luke who is a close companion of Apostle of Paul.
.jpg)
External evidences
In the Muratorian canon, the gospel
is attributed to Luke and described as a physician and the companion of Paul.
The title “Gospel acc. To Luke” is also found at the end of the text of the
oldest extend (existing) copy of the Gospel in the mss. p75 coming from around
AD 175.
Irenaeus also spoke of Luke setting
forth in a book the Gospel as preached by Paul and the “we” passages in Acts as
evidence for his claim that Luke wrote the gospel.
Tertullian also says that Luke is
the author and the Gospel is a digest of Paul’s Gospels.
Internal Evidences:
The writer clearly said that he is
not an eye witness but has received the tradition from others. Secondly, the
unity of Luke and the book of the Acts of the Apostles show that it is the work
of a man. Thirdly, where the gospel of Luke ends, the Acts of the Apostles
opens with the same accounts. Acts Ch. 1 mentions that it is the second volume
written to Theophillus. The style, the language, the themes are almost the same
with that of Luke.
In Acts, he presented himself as a
companion of Paul in the “we” sections (Acts 16:16-17; 20:5-15). This narrows
the search for possible authors and from the internal evidences, it appears
that the writer knew Paul and was at least a 2nd Generation
Christian. Many identify the author as Luke who was the personal physician to
Paul (Col. 4:14; II Tim 4:11; Rom. 16:21).
Date:
Some have suggested a date as early
as AD 63, because Paul’s death or execution is not recorded. In Acts 11:28,
Luke reports the prophesy of Agabus as being fulfilled. On the other hand, most
people suggested a time around AD 80-85 on the basis that he uses Mark’s gospel
as one of the source and also the works of Josephus (Jewish writer; antiquities
of the Jews. He is the only writer who talks about the education of Moses).
Acts 7:22, Luke also mentions the education of Moses. Lk. 13:35;21:20 is seen
as a reference to the destruction of the temple. Thirdly, twice in Lk. 8:51 and
9:25 and Acts 1;13, Luke places John before his elder brother James unlike in
Matthew and Mark (which implies that John had attained a prominent place by
then. Probably after the death of his brother James.)
Place
A number of place wee suggested.
Some suggest Rome because Mark’s gospel is used. But most suggest that is was
written in Antioch. Luke 2:4, 4:31 suggest that is was written outside
Palestine.
Literary structure
He follows the framework of Mark,
with two major interpolations (chapter 6:20-8:3).
The preface (1:1-4), accounts of
Jesus’ birth (1:5-2:52), ministry in Galilee (3:1-9:50), ministry in Jerusalem
(20-21), death and resurrection (22:24).
Characteristics of the Gospel
1. Comprehensiveness:
many have attempted to write but Luke wrote it in a chronological order. Luke
annexed his narrative with the history of Syria and of the Roman empire. He
points to an exactitude in regard to time (2:1, 3:1). He gives his own estimate
of the situation as history (2:50, 3:50, 8:30). He alone follows the savior
through the stages, not only his ministry but also his physical and moral
growth (2:40-52; 3:23, 4:13, 22:28) Luke is the only writer who related the
birth of Jesus with John the Baptist. Luke is also the only gospel writing
about the Holy Spirit.
2. Universality:
From the very beginning, Luke emphasizes on the universality appeal on the
gospel. Throughout the gospel there is an emphasis on the outcaste, Samaritans,
Gentiles and sinners (17).
3. Concept
of Salvation:
4. Concern
for women: Anna, Martha and Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene etc. All the gospel
talks about the anointing of Jesus by the woman.
5. Sinners
6. Reversal
of fortunes: 1:16 shows how God changes or reverses the order. 4:18 the Nazareth
Manifesto, Good Samaritan, Lazarus and the rich man, conflict between the rich
and the poor.
7. Emphasis
on prayer: Luke alone records Jesus praying at his baptism (3:21). Jesus
praying before choosing his disciples (4:10, 6:12). Jesus praying at the transfiguration
(9:18-19) and on the cross (23:46). Unlike Matthew 6:7, only under the
disciples’ request, Jesus taught them how to pray.
8. Praise
and worship: Luke gives a lot of prominence to praise and thanksgiving. It
begins and ends with worship in the temple. Luke alone preserves the Gloria in
excelsis (Lk. 2:14) Song of the Angels. The Magnificat – Song of Mary (1:46f),
the Benedictus – Song of Zacharias (1:68f), the Nunc Dimittis (2:29f), the
expression of praising and blessing God almost peculiar in Luke.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)