A Layman's Commentary on the Gospel of Luke - Lesson I, Part 1 of 6

Preface 1:1-4 - Luke’s Preface.Only Luke addresses his readers and relates his reason for writing. This is a style of classical Greek historians and medical writers. His purpose is to record the Gospel story.Up to this time the spoken word of the Apostles and other eyewitnesses was the method of delivering the Gospel message to the Church. As the church reached further distances and as those original witnesses died there became an ever increasing need for the essential and complete Gospel record to be written and circulated. Luke perceived this need. He refers to the fact that others had already set forth such a record. He indicates, however, that he sees a need for a specific record of events that those already written did not fulfill.It is generally accepted that Mark was one of these writers. Luke emphasized that all the writings were based upon accounts related by eyewitnesses, specifically the Apostles. Thus these records are not fables or ritualistic traditions, but the authoritative information of observed fact. Mark is credited as recording the message that Peter taught and preached. Luke, as a companion of Paul had ample opportunities to interview those that were eyewitnesses of the life and ministry of Jesus, both in Jerusalem and in other locations.Verse 3. He states that he has gotten the information from the beginning of the life of Jesus, as well as the promise of the Forerunner, John the Baptist. Luke reports that he looked at all available information to be certain that what he recorded here would be as complete and detailed as necessary. We must assume that, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the most important and necessary data to record the words and events of the Gospel narrative.He also set his task to relating these events in chronological order. Of the four Gospels, Luke’s is the most comprehensive. It includes many things not mentioned in the others.Luke addressed himself to Theophilus, otherwise unknown, but a ‘most excellent’ person, most likely of high official rank, in the Roman Empire. Since ‘Theophilus’ means ‘dear to God’, some have suggested that this was a pseudonym given to a convert to Christianity. It was a not uncommon practice of the time to dedicate a writing to a specific person, and plan it for a wider circulation of readers.Verse 4. Luke stresses the need for Theophilus (and other readers) to have a complete account of what they have already been taught in part to firmly ground their faith.In the original Greek, these 4 verses are written in one sentence. In the rest of his writing he follows the pattern of Hebraizing style of the Greek translation of the Old Testament, both Aramaic idiom, and colloquial style of the time. His object was clear commmunication, not classical or ornate skillful language. He did not want to distract the reader from the message.The uniqueness of Christianity is the recording over many centuries of how God has dealt with man both prophetically, and practically. In the Old Testament, this is shown through the whole sacrificial system, especially the Passover and the Day of Atonement. This was to prepare them for the coming of Jesus. This redemption was completed in and through the Incarnation and finished work of Jesus the Christ. In other words, it tells how God, through His mercy and grace, made a way to save the lost. Luke justly emphasizes the trustworthiness of his Gospel narrative.Luke 1:5-25 - The Birth of John the Baptist Announced.The appearance and ministry of Jesus is the central event of time. Everything that went before led up to it. Everything that has come afterwards is connected with it, or in acceptance or rejection of it.This record has the background of the Baptist, forming the link between the revelation of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The old and new are a continuous movement in the unfolding revelation of God’s plan.The voice of prophecy had been silent for about 400 years. Everything was prepared. Now God was to turn to the whole of humanity. It begins in the temple, with a priest who will father the one to prepare the way.Luke tells the story of John focusing on the way it points to, and identifies Jesus the Christ. This new work begins with the life of a priest in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Holy City. Luke recounts only the aspects of the background of John the Baptist that point to Jesus.Verse 5. The nativity of the Baptist is closely connected with that of Christ, as His forerunner. As John announces the beginning of the New Dispensation, the reign of Herod (king of Judea from 40 to 4 B.C.) reaches its tragic conclusion. He was called Herod ‘the Great’. He was from Dumea, but professed to follow the Jewish faith. His kingship was by favor of the Roman Government.Outwardly he seemed successful, especially because of the many beautiful buildings he had built, which included the new temple. On the other hand, he had also erected pagan temples, and instituted pagan games. He was relentless in his cruelty toward any who opposed him. He distrusted his own family, several of whom he had put to death.When he died in 4 B.C., no one mourned, in his own family nor in the whole Jewish nation. The days of Herod were considered dark and dangerous for Israel. Against this background, Luke begins with the coming of the Forerunner, and then the Christ.Since David’s time, the priests were divided into 24 orders, of which Abijah was the eighth. Zacharias belonged to this order. His wife, Elizabeth, was also of priestly descent. A priest married to a priest’s daughter was considered a special distinction. Any offspring was considered especially blessed.Zacharias means ‘the Lord remembers’ in the sense of His covenant. Elizabeth means ‘My God is the Absolutely Faithful One’. This suggests the working of God’s providence.

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