Year C – The Gospel of Luke
This Gospel, the longest, is only half of the great Lucan writing. It was originally joined to Acts as part of a two-volume work that, in length, constitutes over one quarter of the New Testament. It is a magnificent narrative that blends the story of Jesus and the early church. The following highlights are from Raymond E. Brown’s An Introduction to the New Testament, The Bible Project, and my sage colleague, Rev. Betty.
Who Wrote the Gospel of Luke? Christian tradition holds that Luke, a first-century C.E. historian, physician, and disciple of Jesus, is the author of this compilation of stories and eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus.
Where and when did this take place? – The events described in Luke take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman Empire during the early 1st century, between 10 B.C.E and 40 C.E. Luke was likely composed between 60 and 80 C.E.
What are the Key Themes in this Gospel?
- The upside-down Kingdom of God
- Israel’s freedom and new covenant
- God’s faithfulness to his people seen in his human incarnation
Gospel Structure – Luke is divided into four parts. Chapters 1-2 introduce Jesus and John the Baptist. 3:1-9:50 detail the upside-down Kingdom of God. 9:51-19:27 focus on Jesus’ inclusion of outsiders. And 19:28-24:53 conclude with Jesus’ persecution, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Interesting Musical Notes – (pun intended) Luke incorporates canticles in the story. Canticles are non-metrical songs or hymns that are used in Christian liturgies and are similar in form and content to a psalm. They are taken from a collection of early Jewish hymns and translated into Greek. Note in particular the Magnificat (1:46-55), the Benedictus (1:67-78), the Gloria in Excelsis (2:13-14), and the Nunc dimittis (2:28-32). These canticles express Christology indirectly by proclaiming God has done something decisive. Mary translates this news into a message for the lowly and the hungry. Woe for the powerful and the rich. We see in Luke, Jesus does the same.
Claims to Fame – Some of the best known parables of Jesus’ are found only in Luke’s gospel – for example, the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the rich man and Lazarus. And women are featured in Luke’s gospel more prominently than in any of the others. (Go Luke! )