T H E
N E W
T E S T A M E N T
COPYRIGHT BY WILLIAM EVANS
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
cf. plural pronoun “we” ) ; author o f the “Acts” (cf. Luke 1-4 with Acts 1:1). Luke’s Gospel is probably based on the preaching and teaching o f Paul, and also whatever data Luke could gather from those who had personally known and seen the Lord (1:1-4). The Holy Spirit guided Luke in the choice and use o f the material gathered—the inspiration o f sélection and direction (cf. 1 :3—“ from the first,” lit. “ from above” ). B. THE DATE Unsettled. Probably before Acts (Acts 1:1, cf. 28:30, 31) About 63 A. D. C. TO WHOM WRITTEN Formally, to Theophilus (lover o f God), an earnest Greek convert to Christianity, but really, as is evident from the struc ture and contents o f the book, to the Greeks, and for universal hqmanity, just as Matthew wrote for the Jews, and Mark for the Romans. D. PURPOSE OF GOSPEL OF'LUKE Formally stated in 1 :l-4 ; to give a thor oughly reliable, orderly, authentic, and authoritative history o f the life o f our Lord. Yet a careful examination o f its con tents leads to the conclusion that it was written for the specific purpose o f set ting forth Jesus Christ as the Son o f Man, the Perfect Man, the Ideal o f humanity. This is also the testimony o f tradition : Origen—“ Luke was written for the sake
O INCE Luke is one o f the three synop- V* tic gospels, it follows that he records many o f the same incidents and much of the same matter given by Matthew and Mark. It is true, o f course, that he empha- sizes different phases o f the same material in order to bring out the unique and par ticular purpose he has in mind in record ing these facts. Inasmuch as we have given quite a full general analysis o f Mat thew, it does not seem necessary to do any thing further than to give a full outline o f Luke. For this reason, then, our treat ment o f Luke is briefer than that o f Mat thew. John, beginning in the next issue, will receive quite a full treatment. The Gospel of Christ’s Humanity, Jesus as the Perfect Son of Man. A . THE AUTHOR Luke, “ The beloved physician” (Colos- sians 4 ;14, cf. medical terms and descrip tions, 4:23, ,35, 38, 39; 8 :6, 43: 11:46; 16:20, 21; Acts 3:1-8; 9:40, 41, e tc.); a Greek (cf. Colossians 4:10-14); probably not a disciple o f Jesus (Luke 1:1-4), yet some think that he was o f the Seventy (10:1) and one o f the two Emmaus disciples (24 :1 3); probably a convert, but certainly a champion and fellow-laborer o f Paul, the Apostle (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24; Acts 16:10-40; 20-28; joins Paul at Philippi, and remains with him until released from imprisonment at Rome
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