Now we come to the Gospel According to Luke.
I guess we should first establish who this Luke really was. And, what connection did he actually have to the events told in the book that bears his name.
With the help of Wikipedia:
Luke was one of the Four Evangelists, who is accredited with writing the Gospels. The early church fathers ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel according to Luke and the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which would mean Luke, or people writing in his name, contributed over a quarter of the text of the New Testament, more than any other author. When one considers the amount of work contributed by Paul, it turns out that Luke and Paul wrote a lot of the New Testament. These are two People that never knew Jesus, nor witnessed any of the events they described.
The New Testament mentions Luke briefly a few times, and the Pauline epistle to the Colossians
refers to him as a physician (from Greek for 'one who heals'); thus he
is thought to have been both a physician and a disciple of Paul.
Some commentators believe Luke was a gentile. To scholars who study this stuff, they contend that the Gospel of Luke is actually being directed at the Gentiles. Perhaps Paul and Luke came to the conclusion that spreading Christianity among the Jews was a losing proposition and decided that the Gentiles were a more fertile ground. It seems that John came to the same conclusion. It turns out they were right.
The Gospel of Luke does not name its author.
The Gospel was not written and does not claim to be written by direct
witnesses to the reported events.
The earliest manuscript of the Gospel, dated circa AD 200, ascribes the work to Luke; as did Irenaeus, writing circa AD 180, and the Muratorian fragment from AD 170.
Luke at best, was a disciple to Paul, who himself never knew Jesus. Go figure how he became an authority on the birth, life and death of Jesus. Frankly, I think that Luke, or whoever, had a great imagination and a creative mind.
The authors of Luke's tale begins with the birth of John the Baptist. It seems that in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias, had a wife, Elisabeth, who had no children. It says they were stricken in years. I.e. they were old.
While he was burning incense at the temple, there appeared an angel standing on the right side of the incense alter. This shook Zacharias up a bit and he was afraid. Zacharias had been praying for a son and the angel said that his prayers had been heard and that his wife will bear him a son and you will call him John.
Zacharias informed the angel that he and his wife were old. The angel informed Zacharias that he was Gabriel and to believe him, but to be silent until things come to pass.
Of course, Elisabeth conceived and hid herself for five months.
Now, here it gets interesting: On the sixth month the angel, Gabriel, went in the city of Nazareth and came to a young virgin named Mary. She happened to be betrothed to Joseph, of the house of David.
The angel informed her that she had been chosen to bear a son and he should be called Jesus. Of course Mary had a problem with that as she "Knew not a man". Gabriel informed her that this would be no problem for the son will be begotten by God. So she became pregnant as Gabriel had said.
So where did Mary go next? She went into the hill country to the city of Judah and went to see Zacharias and Elisabeth. She entered the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.
(Luke 1:41-42) "And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy spirit; and she lifted up voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit if thy womb". Luke established a link between Jesus and John the Baptist even before they were born.
Now here is where Luke differed significantly from Matthew. A decree came from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. Enrolled for what isn't clear but, the popular notions is that Caesar wanted a census. According to Luke, that compelled Joseph to travel to Bethlehem from Nazareth because he was of the house and family of David. Mary was really pregnant at this time but, Joseph was still betrothed to her. So off to Bethlehem they went. No marriage as of yet. Jesus was due to be born out of wedlock according to Luke. Not sure why he deviated from Matthew so much, but it could be that he wanted to insure the idea that Mary was a virgin, even up to the birth of Jesus. In fact, it isn't clear that Joseph ever married Mary. It could be that the idea of Mary remaining a virgin for her entire life appealed to Luke.
Next follows the most popular version of the tale, where Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was not room for them in the inn.
At this time there were shepherds in the field and angel came to them "the glory of the Lord shone round about them". They were scared out out of their minds. I don't blame them. So, the angel told them not to be afraid, that he brings them great tidings of joy. That this day in the city of David a Saviour (their spelling) is born, who is Christ the lord. He told them where they could find the baby (Luke 2;13-14) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to god in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased".
Luke's version of the birth of Jesus is usually the one portrayed in the plays and pageants put on by religious groups. But, that doesn't make it the more accurate one. It is just a better story. It certainly fits the image of a divine birth better than Matthew.
Sometimes there is an attempt to merge the two stories together, but that is really a farce, as they don't mesh well without sacrificing a lot of authenticity. The other clinker in the pot is, there is no record of the Romans demanding a census at this time. And, that is not the way they conducted a census anyway. The ones they did take were done in place. The Romans were very good record keepers. Luke's tale is highly suspect as it is told.
When Jesus was twelve years old his parents took him, as they did every year, to Jerusalem at the feast for the passover. When they were returning they noticed that Jesus was staying behind and they didn't know where he was. When they found him after three days of searching, he was sitting in the midst of teachers,both hearing them and asking them questions. Can you imagine missing your twelve year old son for three days?
(Luke 2:47-49) "and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?"
The next time Jesus appears on the scene is at his baptism by John. When he was baptized the heaven was opened.
(Luke 3:22) "and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son: in thee I am well pleased".
Then Jesus begin to teach. Luke says he was about thirty years old at the time. Then he goes through of litany of ancestry to establish Joseph's linage all the way back to Adam.
Now Luke relates the tale of trial where Jesus was led into the wilderness where he didn't eat for forty days and was tempted by the devil with all kinds of worldly stuff if he would just switch sides. Of course he didn't fall for it.
Jesus then traveled around doing Jesus things, but mainly preaching.
He starting collecting his twelve disciples. The first was Simon and then James and John.
(Luke 6:12-16) "And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples; and chose from them twelve, whom also he named his apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter and Andrew his brother and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, And Matthew and Thomas and James the som Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor". One should question; what happened to Thaddaeus and where did the other Judas, son of James come from. Luke has a little different set of disciples.
It is noteworthy that a special note is made in Luke 8:22 that women are following Jesus around and that three are mentioned specifically. Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuzas, Herod's steward and Susanna.
Jesus continued roaming the land healing the sick, casting out demons and performing other miracles.
(Luke 10:1) "Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come." Here us where Luke introduced the additional apostles not mentioned in Matthew or Mark. He bestowed upon the them the power to heal the sick, cast out demons, tread upon serpents and scorpions.
Jesus was always in trouble for performing healing on the sabbath. (Luke 13:10-14) "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day. And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up. And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore, come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath." Sounds like a parable in Mark.
In chapter 15 Luke relates the well known parable about the lost sheep and the one concerning the woman who has 10 pieces of silver and having lost one, is rejoiced when she finds it. He couples this parable with the story of the prodigal son.
Jesus talked to a man that was very rich (Luke 18:24-25) "And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Sound familiar?
Jesus came close to Bethphage and Bethany at the mount of Olivet, he sent two of disciples to get him a colt. He said that they will find the colt and for the disciples to just take it. If anyone asks, just say that the Lord needed it. The owners came out and challenged the disciples about stealing his colt. The disciples then informed the owner that the Lord needed it. So, they took it, brought it back to the mount and it says that they threw their garments on it and Jesus set thereon. (Luke 19:29-35).
The famous scene where Jesus cast out the sellers and money lenders upon his entrance to Jerusalem during passover, isn't the only time Jesus got irate about desecrating the temple. (Luke 19:45-46) "And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold, saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of robbers.
Another of the famous sayings by Jesus appears in Luke. He was asked, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? His answer was: (Luke 20:24-25) "Show me a denarius, Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said Caesar's. And he said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's".
The Last Supper varies little among the Gospels. However, how Jesus decided on the place for the feast of Passover is interesting. He told Peter and John to go into the city and they will meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. They are to follow him to his house. (Luke 22:11) "And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?" The owner showed them a large upper room and they made it ready.
Leading up to the execution of Jesus is pretty constant among the tellers. The betrayed of Jesus with a kiss by Judas, the denial by Peter and so forth.
First they took Jesus to the high priests house, (Luke 22:63) "And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.) Then they took him to their council, consisting of chief priests, scribes and elders of the people. They then asked if he was the son of God and he said that he was. That pretty much condemned him. (Luke 22:71) "And they said, What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth."
Then they brought him before Pilate. They then appealed to Pilate saying that this man is perverting our nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar and saying the he himself is Christ the king. After questioning him, Pilate said he found no fault in this man.
They then pleaded urgently saying that he was stirring up the people and teaching throughout Judaea and Galilee. Pilate then said that this was in Herod's jurisdiction and sent him there. Jesus didn't fair much better with Herod and Herod sent him back to Pilate. Jesus was being to feel like a ping-pong ball about this time.
Pilate called together the council again and said again that he found no fault in this man and therefore, I will chastise him and release him.
Not familiar with law at that time I'm not sure what happened next, but (Luke 23:17) "Now he must needs release unto them at the feast one prisoner." (The book of John clears that up a little). They were holding a murderer named Barabbas in prison. The crowd shouted that they release him instead of Jesus. Pilate again wanted to release Jesus, but the crowd wanted him crucified. Pilate then said for the third time he say no cause of death in this man and therefore he will chastise him and release him.
But the crowd wasn't happy and shouted for him to be crucified, so Pilate gave in and passed the sentence they wanted. So he released Barabbas and sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
So they led him away and laid a cross upon Simon of Cyrene to bear it for him. A great multitude of people and of women followed him and "bewailed and lamented " him.
Jesus turned to them and told not to weep for him but rather for themselves and their children. And then they came to the place called The skull, where they crucified him.
On the cross before he died, there were two malefactors that were being executed. One of them spoke, saying (Luke 23:42) "And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. (Luke 23:43) "And he said unto him,verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise". This is a twist to the story not told by Matthew or Mark. It does however, emphasize the power of atonement, which is probably the reason Luke included it.
Luke(23:46) 'And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost."
A man named Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, took it down and wrapped in linen, laid him in a tomb hewn in stone. Little different from the tale told by Matthew.
The women who had come with him from Galilee, followed after and say where they entombed the body. As was the custom, the prepared spices and ointments to use on Jesus's body.
They came to the tomb and found the stone rolled away. They then entered and noticed that the body was missing. (Luke 24:4) "And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: (Luke 24:5-6) and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, then said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee". Luke added an angel to the story.
Luke now identified the women as Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, mother of Jesus and other women. They ran from the tomb and told the eleven, and to all the rest. They disbelieved them. Note, suddenly Luke has Mary the mother of Jesus in the story, something that Matthew and Mark didn't do. I guess it was to enhance the divinity of Mary. Or, he thought it must have been that way.
But, Peter ran to the tomb and saw for himself that the body was missing. This left Peter perplexed.
There were two of the disciples walking and Jesus appeared before them. They didn't recognize him. One of them named Cleopas (one of the seventy?) asked Jesus if he was traveling to Jerusalem alone and did he not know of the things that had been going on these days?
After some discussion they came to where they were going, but Jesus seemed to be going further. They invited him to stay with them for the evening, so he did. He sat down to eat with them, took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it gave it to them. Suddenly they knew who he was. He promptly vanished out of their sight.
They returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven what had happened. While they were relating their tale, Jesus appeared among them and said "Peace be unto you".
At that they were scared and supposed that they were looking at a spirit. He asked them, why are you troubled? Don't you see me?
Then he asked if they had anything to eat. They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he ate it with them.
Then he reminded them of the things he had said and the prophecies. He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
He then blessed them, departed and was carried to heaven.
They worshiped him, and returning to Jerusalem went continually in the temple, blessing God.
So ends the tale of Luke.
