Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF LUKE–ACTS 1 The Gospel of Luke An Outline Prologue 1:1-4 Infancy & Childhood Narrative 1:5–2:52 Preparation for Public Ministry 3:1–4:13 Ministry in Galilee 4:14–9:50 Journey to Jerusalem 9:51–19:27 Ministry in Jerusalem 19:28–21:38 Passion Narrative 22:1–23:56 Resurrection & Ascension 24:1-53 Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament , Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York: Doubleday, 1997. 2 Plotting Comparisons in Luke and Acts LUKE ACTS Prologue (1:1-4) Theophilus Recap of Gospel, reference to Theophilus (1:1-5) Infancy Narrative (1:5–2:52) Arrival/Departure Preparing for the Spirit (1:6-26) of Jesus Preparation for Public Ministry Pentecost and Communal Life in Jerusalem Descent of (3:1–4:13) (2:1-45) Spirit Ministry in Galilee (4:14–9:50) Teaching, Healing, Ministry in Jerusalem (3:1–8:1a) Communal Life Journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:27) The Way Missions in Samaria and Judea (81b–12:25) Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28–21:38) Gentile Mission (Barnabas and Saul; Jerusalem Approves (13:1–15:35) Arrest, Trial Mission of Paul to the ends of the earth Passion Narrative (22:1–23:56) (15:36–28:31) Resurrection Appearances (24:1-53) 3 1
Luke’s Prologue An Overview of His Narrative Style Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. κατεχήθης catechesis 4 How Luke Advances the Prologue’s Themes Orderly Account Mark Luke Jesus goes to Capernaum after his Jesus returns to Nazareth after his temptation, which is not his home; later he temptation, where he reads from Isaiah returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected and is rejected; he moves to Capernaum Jesus calls his disciples right when he Jesus cures a demoniac in Capernaum, as arrives in Capernaum; they drop well as Simon’s mother-in-law and others; everything and follow him he asks Simon to put his nets down after a fish-less night and they catch more than their nets can hold; then Jesus calls Simon and the others, and they leave everything and follow Mark introduces the women followers at Luke introduces them in chapter 8, during the cross, but says they’ve been there the Galilean ministry since Jesus was up in the Galilee 5 How Luke Advances the Prologue’s Themes Certainty of the Teachings God The Community & Ethics Jesus Jesus receives God’s Angel announces that A genealogy that begins with Adam “seal of approval” at Elizabeth and Mary will (instead of Abraham) signals Jesus’ bear sons; they do baptism significance for ALL peoples Mary, Elizabeth and Jesus refuses to be Simeon explicitly praise Satan’s agent and God’s trustworthiness remains faithful to God John the Baptist does The first thing Jesus proclaims is Jesus enacts the jubilee what the angel said he that Isaiah’s prophecy of jubilee is redemption would (1:16-17) fulfilled—and for all peoples God will vindicate him Transfiguration prefigures in the resurrection the promised resurrection Much of Jesus’ teaching about how Jesus journeys to to be a disciple is set ”on the way” Jerusalem to fulfill his to Jerusalem, to his death mission and word 6 2
Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy LUKE’S INFANCY NARRATIVE 7 The Gospel of Luke Literary Characteristics: Infancy Narrative John the Baptist Jesus Before births John’s birth announced Jesus’ birth announced 1:5-25 1:26-38 Mary visits cousin Elizabeth 1:39-56 Birth John is born Jesus is born 1:57-58 2:1-20 John is circumcised and presented Jesus is circumcised and presented 1:59-79 2:21-38 Childhood The child grew… The child grew… 1:80 2:39-40 …and taught in Temple 2:41-52 8 Themes in the Infancy Narrative Before the Births of John and Jesus Themes • Birth of John announced • The relationship of John and Jesus • Birth of Jesus announced • Mary visits Elizabeth • Prayer • The action of the Holy Spirit Births of John and Jesus • The inauguration of • Birth of John the year of favor / the • Circumcision / manifestation of John raising of the lowly / redemption • Birth of Jesus • Temple as center of • Circumcision / manifestation of Jesus holiness • Finding in the Temple 9 3
Differences between Infancy Accounts Matthew Luke Narrative structure emphasizes contrast Narrative structure emphasizes the between two kings of the Jews, Herod and relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist Jesus Dreams conveying angelic messages move Canticles of praise from humans and the plot (Joseph’s 3 dreams, magoi’s angels interpret the key events dream) Mary’s Magnificat Zechariah’s Benedictus angels’ hymn Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis We hear nothing of Jesus’ childhood, Luke tells a story of Jesus at age 12, left except that part of his infancy was spent in behind in the Temple one Passover, where Egypt he is found teaching the teachers Mary and Joseph live in Bethlehem; Jesus Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth; Jesus is is born at home born in his ancestral home because Joseph is required to register there for a Roman census 10 Themes Emerging From Prologue & Infancy Narrative • Concern for history, order • The relationship of John and Jesus • Fulfillment of Jewish prophecy • Prayer, and temple as a place of prayer • Action of the Holy Spirit • Year of favor: redemption and a universalizing of “salvation” • Sharing of goods, justice for poor 11 Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy NARRATIVE & REDACTIONAL THEMES IN LUKE 12 4
Themes Emerging From Narrative Critical Exercises • Concern for history, order These first two are mostly emphasized in Luke 1–2 and the • The relationship of John and Jesus ordering of the plot • Fulfillment of Jewish prophecy • Prayer, and temple as a place of prayer • Action of the Holy Spirit • Year of favor: redemption and a universalizing of “salvation” • Sharing of goods, justice for poor 13 Themes in Luke Redactional Evidence Relationship of John and Jesus Matthew 11:2-4 Luke 7:18-22 Now when John heard in prison The disciples of John told him of all these about the deeds of the Christ, he things. And John, calling to him two of his sent word by his disciples and said disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, to him, “Are you he who is to come, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on And many that were blind he bestowed sight. And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell he answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see….” John what you have seen and heard….” 14 Themes in Luke Redactional Evidence Fulfillment of Jewish prophecy Mark 9:2-4 Luke 9:28-31 And after six days Now about eight days after these Jesus took with him Peter and sayings he took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a John and James, and went up on the high mountain apart by themselves; mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the and he was transfigured before them, appearance of his countenance was and his garments became glistening, altered, and his raiment became intensely white, as no fuller on earth dazzling white. could bleach them. And there And behold, two men appeared to them Elijah with Moses; talked with him, Moses and Elijah, and they were talking who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus, which he was to to Jesus. accomplish in Jerusalem. 15 5
Themes in Luke Redactional Evidence Prayer Mark 3:13-15 Luke 6:12-13 And he went up on the In these days he went out to the mountain, mountain to pray; and all night he and continued in prayer to God. And called to him when it was day, he called his those whom he desired; and they disciples, came to him. And he appointed and chose from them twelve, to be with him, and to be twelve, whom he named sent out to preach and have apostles…. authority to cast out demons…. 16 Themes in Luke Redactional Evidence Prayer Mark 8:27 Luke 9:18 Now it happened that as he was And Jesus praying alone went on with his disciples, the disciples were with him; to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked and he asked his disciples, “Who do men say them, “Who do the people say that I am?” that I am?” 17 Themes in Luke Redactional Evidence Action of the Holy Spirit Mark Luke Mark 1:12-13 Luke 4:1-2 The Spirit And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and drove him out into the was led by the Spirit for forty days wilderness. And he was in the in the wilderness… wilderness forty days… Mark 1:14a Luke 4:14a Now after John was arrested, And Jesus came Jesus returned in the power of the into Galilee… Spirit into Galilee… 18 6
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