Deck 9: Jesus, the Savior of the World: the Gospel According to Luke

Question 1

Do a comparative analysis of Matthew's and Luke's Beatitudes. What do these tell us about each author's emphases? (The instructor might provide the passages [Matt 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-26] to the students for analysis.)

Answer 1

Matthew's version of the Beatitudes contains nine blessings. Luke contains four blessings as well as a set of curses ("woes") who do the opposite of what Jesus has instructed. Luke's Beatitudes tend to emphasize themes of poverty and wealth. So whereas Matthew's Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," Luke's Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor," and whereas Jesus in Matthew says, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness," Jesus in Luke says, "Blessed are you who are hungry now." Both declare that those who are hated for Jesus' sake are blessed.

Question 2

Do a comparative analysis of Luke's and Matthew's Passion narratives or a redactional analysis of Mark's and Luke's Passion narratives. How do Luke's differences point to his particular portrayal of Jesus?

Answer 2

There are several important differences between Luke's and Matthew/Mark's Passion narratives. Luke's story focuses on Jesus' innocence and the unjust execution of an innocent man. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the introduction of a trial before Herod. In addition to Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence (three times), Luke offers another verdict of innocence from a different leader, Herod-now both Gentile and Jewish authorities have declared Jesus innocent of charges. Luke also lists the specific charges leveled against Jesus. A careful reader will notice that all of the charges are false. Like other prophets, Jesus knows that he must die and does so willingly. On the cross, Jesus does not cry out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" but, "Into your hands I commend my spirit." After Jesus' death, the centurion does not confess that Jesus was the Son of God (as in Mark and Matthew) but that Jesus was innocent.

Question 3

According to Luke, what is the meaning of Jesus' death? How is Luke's explanation of Jesus' death different from that of Mark and Matthew?

Answer 3

Throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a prophet of God. By comparing Jesus' persecution to that of God's other prophets, Luke focuses on the appropriate response to a prophet's message: repentance. Jesus' death, according to this Gospel, does not itself bring salvation. Salvation comes to the people when they realize the unjustness of Jesus' death and repent.

Question 4

How might the Gospel of Luke be regarded as apologetic literature? What themes and episodes could have an apologetic purpose?

Question 5

Jesus' genealogy in Luke is significantly differenrom the one found in Matthew.

Question 6

Luke puts more emphasis on Jerusalem than the other New Testament Gospels do.

Question 7

The Gospel of Luke emphasizes the atoning power of Jesus' death.

Question 8

The Gospel of Luke puts special emphasis on Jesus' concern for social justice.

Question 9

The Gospel of Luke was probably written between 65-70 C.E.

Question 10

Which of the following is a problem some scholars have with redaction criticism?

A) It must correctly identify a text's sources.
B) The Gospels did not use sources.
C) The method does not produce any important data.
D) The method focuses only on what authors borrow from their sources.

Question 11

An approach that specifically deals with the problem scholars have with redaction criticism is:

A) Genre criticism
B) The comparative method
C) The Four-Source Hypothesis
D) Markan priority

Question 12

The author says that:

A) He is an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry.
B) He used written sources.
C) He used only eyewitness reports.
D) He used Q.

Question 13

In Luke, which of the following characters does not recognize Jesus' importance?

A) Anna
B) Simeon
C) The shepherds
D) Nicodemus