- How does the date of Luke’s Gospel relate to Acts?
Evangelical Scholars: 60-80 AD
i. Argument hinges on the date of Acts
ii. There are good reasons to think Acts is dated in the mid-60s
iii. Acts seems to end abruptly indicating that was all Luke had.
iv. If Luke preceded Acts then this would put Luke around 60AD, possibly even in the 50’s
- Discuss the opening of Luke’s Gospel and its significance.
4. Purpose/Audience: Luke 1:1-4
** a. Audience: Theophilus (lover of God)**
i. Term “most excellent” (Nobility)
ii. Dedication to one person v. wider reading audience
** b. Source: The Apostles**
i. This material comes from “eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word” with clear reference to the apostles
ii. Formal passing down of Apostolic tradition
iii. Luke 1:1-2, Luke 24:44-48, Apostles are “eyewitnesses,” Apostles are “witnesses,” Apostles testify to things “fulfilled” among them, Apostles testify to what has been “fulfilled” among them
iv. iv. Not just writing history – he is writing salvation history
v. This means that Luke is a student of the apostles
vi. Luke sees himself has speaking with Apostolic voice even though he is not an Apostle.
v. Aware that he is writing scripture (Continuation of O.T.)
** c. Purpose**
i. “Fulfilment” of the NT Narrative
ii. What God has accomplished (salvation history)
iv. Set forth an “orderly” report
v. Give certainty to Theophilus (Assurance of his Catechism teaching)
- What is significant about Luke’s travel narrative?
- Unique Material – not in any other Gospel narrative (Including Q)
- Spends 9 chapters discribing Jesus heading to Jerusalem to die.
- Travel starts more global and narrows to Jerusalem
- Show the ways in which Luke has a Gentile focus in his Gospel.
2. Gentile Focus
a. Luke was a Gentile
b. Begins by talking of Jesus in a Roman world
c. Savior for all men
d. Global genealogy (Global human race)
e. Addressed to a Gentile name, Theophilus
f. Salvation to the Gentiles (e.g., 2:32; 3:4-6; 2:14; 24:47)
g. Samaritans (e.g., 10:25-37; 17:11-19)
- How does Luke have a unique focus on outcasts?
3. Focus on the Outcast
a. Luke noticed that Jesus noticed the outcast of society
b. Samaritans (e.g., 10:25-37; 17:11-19)
c. Women (e.g., 2:25-38; 10:38-42; 8:2-3)
d. Poor (e.g., 2:24; 4:18; 7:22; 12:16-21; 16:19-35)
e. Other outcasts (e.g., 7:37-50; 5:30)
1. Tax Collectors (e.g.,5:30)
2. Sinful woman (e.g., 7)
- Discuss the titles of “Savior” and “Prophet” for Jesus used in Luke’s Gospel.
a. The theme of Savior/Save/Salvation in Luke
i. **Adjustive: ** Among the Synoptics, only Luke uses the Greek word “Savior” for Jesus/God (1:17; 2:11)
ii. Noun: Greek word for “salvation” for the work of Jesus (six times) (e.g., 1:69; 1:77)
iii. The verb “save” has distinctive usage in Luke (17 times) (e.g., 7:50; 8:12; 13:23; 19:10)
What is Luke’s literary structure
Luke
Introduction to Jesus’ ministry (1:1-4:13)
Jesus in Galilee (4:14-9:51)
Jesus’ Journey to and ministry in Jerusalem (9:51-24:53)
Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-18:34)
Jesus in Jerusalem (18:35-21:38)
Death and Resurrection (21:38-24:53)
