PowerPoint Notes – Unit 2 Gospel of Luke
A. Basic Information
1. Author
a. Attributed to Luke, doctor and companion of Paul (Col 4:14)
b. A Greek, Gentile convert
c. He is the only non-Jewish evangelist
d. Accompanied Paul from Troas to Philippi
e. Rejoined Paul in Miletus and went back to Caesarea and then to Rome
f. Excellent command of Greek, well educated
g. Did not know Jesus personally
h. Author of two-volume work, Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles
2. Date
a. 70-85 C.E.
3. Location
a. Greece
4. Audience
a. Christians of Greek, Gentile background
5. Image of Jesus
a. Compassionate savior
b. Lover of the poor, sick and outcast
c. The Good Shepherd
d. Lord
e. Prophet
6. Genealogy
a. Traced back to Adam
b. Jesus is savior of everyone (universal)
7. Theological Themes
a. Prayer is central to faith
b. Holy Spirit is real and powerful
c. Must show concern for and bring good news to the Anawim – the poor,
outcasts, the sick, slaves, tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans, women, and
sinners
d. Role of women is stressed
e. Tries to be more historical, but has poor knowledge of Palestine
f. The second coming, Parousia, is coming soon
8. Symbol of Luke
a. Ox with wings
B. Very Greek
1. Luke uses the term Savior to explain the term Christ/Messiah
2. Very aware of the Greek problems in the text and corrects them
a. E.G. Transfiguration
i. Mt and Mk– = Metamorphosis or Transfigure
ii. Lk – eteron () = Changed
1
, PowerPoint Notes – Unit 2 Gospel of Luke
iii. Luke changes the word transfigured because it was used often with the
Greek gods for when they shape-shifted into humans and animals and
seemed rather Pagan.
C. Innocence
1. Jesus is very Tender in this Gospel
a. Shows pity and care
2. Many proclaim him innocent in the Gospel
a. Women at the cross
b. The people there
c. Thief on the cross
d. Roman centurion
e. Pilate 3 times
3. Luke calls his community to enter into Christ’s passion and carry our own cross
a. Like Jesus, Mary, Apostles, Martha/Mary, the 72 disciples, and Mary
Magdalene, we can choose to follow God or not
D. Lord and Prophet
1. This is the only Gospel to declare Jesus as “Lord”
2. Jesus is a prophet charged to reveal God
3. Jesus is the new Elijah
a. Friend to sinners
b. God’s visit
c. Model of perfect man
4. Luke is passionate about showing proper behavior
a. Disciples should model proper behavior to each other and those who are not
Christian
E. Literary Features and Themes:
1. Theological Geography:
a. Gospel begins and ends in the Temple of Jerusalem
b. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is the key organizing feature of Luke
2. Prominence of the Holy Spirit:
a. Drives all the action throughout this Gospel, especially at the beginning
i. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, John the Baptist
b. Descends on Jesus at his baptism “in bodily form like a dove” (Luke 3:22)
c. Drives Jesus into the wilderness, and then back to Galilee
d. Jesus quotes from Isa 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Luke 4:18-19)
e. Jesus’ dying words: “Father, into your hand I commend my spirit” (23:46)
3. Prominence of Prayer:
a. Not just petitions, but hymns and thanks, joy and praise
b. Prayers of Jesus: more occasions when Jesus is said to be praying
c. Prayers of other characters: including the texts of some prayers
i. Mary, Zechariah, angels, Simeon, Rich fool, Pharisee and publican
d. Jesus’ instructions about prayer: including some new parables
2
A. Basic Information
1. Author
a. Attributed to Luke, doctor and companion of Paul (Col 4:14)
b. A Greek, Gentile convert
c. He is the only non-Jewish evangelist
d. Accompanied Paul from Troas to Philippi
e. Rejoined Paul in Miletus and went back to Caesarea and then to Rome
f. Excellent command of Greek, well educated
g. Did not know Jesus personally
h. Author of two-volume work, Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles
2. Date
a. 70-85 C.E.
3. Location
a. Greece
4. Audience
a. Christians of Greek, Gentile background
5. Image of Jesus
a. Compassionate savior
b. Lover of the poor, sick and outcast
c. The Good Shepherd
d. Lord
e. Prophet
6. Genealogy
a. Traced back to Adam
b. Jesus is savior of everyone (universal)
7. Theological Themes
a. Prayer is central to faith
b. Holy Spirit is real and powerful
c. Must show concern for and bring good news to the Anawim – the poor,
outcasts, the sick, slaves, tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans, women, and
sinners
d. Role of women is stressed
e. Tries to be more historical, but has poor knowledge of Palestine
f. The second coming, Parousia, is coming soon
8. Symbol of Luke
a. Ox with wings
B. Very Greek
1. Luke uses the term Savior to explain the term Christ/Messiah
2. Very aware of the Greek problems in the text and corrects them
a. E.G. Transfiguration
i. Mt and Mk– = Metamorphosis or Transfigure
ii. Lk – eteron () = Changed
1
, PowerPoint Notes – Unit 2 Gospel of Luke
iii. Luke changes the word transfigured because it was used often with the
Greek gods for when they shape-shifted into humans and animals and
seemed rather Pagan.
C. Innocence
1. Jesus is very Tender in this Gospel
a. Shows pity and care
2. Many proclaim him innocent in the Gospel
a. Women at the cross
b. The people there
c. Thief on the cross
d. Roman centurion
e. Pilate 3 times
3. Luke calls his community to enter into Christ’s passion and carry our own cross
a. Like Jesus, Mary, Apostles, Martha/Mary, the 72 disciples, and Mary
Magdalene, we can choose to follow God or not
D. Lord and Prophet
1. This is the only Gospel to declare Jesus as “Lord”
2. Jesus is a prophet charged to reveal God
3. Jesus is the new Elijah
a. Friend to sinners
b. God’s visit
c. Model of perfect man
4. Luke is passionate about showing proper behavior
a. Disciples should model proper behavior to each other and those who are not
Christian
E. Literary Features and Themes:
1. Theological Geography:
a. Gospel begins and ends in the Temple of Jerusalem
b. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is the key organizing feature of Luke
2. Prominence of the Holy Spirit:
a. Drives all the action throughout this Gospel, especially at the beginning
i. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, John the Baptist
b. Descends on Jesus at his baptism “in bodily form like a dove” (Luke 3:22)
c. Drives Jesus into the wilderness, and then back to Galilee
d. Jesus quotes from Isa 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Luke 4:18-19)
e. Jesus’ dying words: “Father, into your hand I commend my spirit” (23:46)
3. Prominence of Prayer:
a. Not just petitions, but hymns and thanks, joy and praise
b. Prayers of Jesus: more occasions when Jesus is said to be praying
c. Prayers of other characters: including the texts of some prayers
i. Mary, Zechariah, angels, Simeon, Rich fool, Pharisee and publican
d. Jesus’ instructions about prayer: including some new parables
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