Luke Chapter 1

LUKE'S GOSPEL L.H.Brough.

The Assembly Bible School Notes. (1963).

The birth and childhood of the Saviour.     Chapter  1-2.

The beginning of the Messiah's ministry.  Chapter  3-9:50.

The journey to Jerusalem.                       Chapters  9:51-19:28.

The teaching and ministry in Jerusalem.   Chapters  19:29-21:38.

The Exodus at Jerusalem.                      Chapters  22-24.

The. Passion.                                        Chapters  22:1-23:56.

The Resurrection.                                   Chapter  24.

Characteristics. "The most beautiful Book in the world."  Renan.  This Gospel's characteristics have often been noted - the importance assigned to penitence, to prayer, and thanksgiving; its appreciation of the true great-ness of service.  There is a noticeable sympathy with the poor; an awareness of the peril of riches; and women are given an honourable and prominent place.

           

There is in this Gospel a strong note of universalism, which finds its immediate horizon in the Roman Empire.  Thus, whilst Jerusalem assumes great importance as the starting point, Dr.Luke ends his second volume "Christian Beginnings" with Paul in Rome.  The Acts has a noticeable Roman feeling.  Luke's Gospel has been called, "the Gospel of the Roman Empire."

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Luke Chapter 1.

The Preface: 1:1-4.  These verses are distinguished for their beautiful Greek and indicate that Luke can write Greek worthy of the best classical writers.  The Preface states the purpose of the Gospel and probably is to be regarded as a preface to both the Gospel and the Acts.  It also makes known his qualification to write about Christian Beginnings and his method of research.

           

*  Conception.  He delved back into earliest origins from the first - commencing                       with the Nativity stories.

*  Correctness. He place high importance on accuracy, "accurately."

*  Comprehensive.  He was encouraged by the work of others.  He not only made use of such knowledge as they supplied, but he himself raced out all the facts.  What was Luke's sources cannot be much more than a guess. But it is usually considered that he used:

           

a. Palestine, a source for the Birth Stories.  This may have originally been a Hebrew document.

b. Mark's Gospel.

c. Q or Qyelle. -  a German word for source. This may have been composed by the Apostle Levi.

d. Material peculiar to Luke that he may have gathered in Caesarea.

This covers about half of his material. See especially chapters.   9:51-18:14.

           

*  Consecutive.  Luke undertook to supply an orderly - "in order"    - a coherent and consecutive account.

           

The Christ Child.  1:5-2:52.  The announcement to Zachariah, 1:2-5.  The promise of the birth of John the Baptist.  The parents of John 1:5-7. (see Psalm 128).  The vision 1:8-10.  The Promise 1:11-17.  Answered prayer 1:13-14.  The character, greatness and mission of John 1:15-17. (see Malachi 3:1; 4:4-5.).  Zachariah's doubts 1:18-20.  His public appearance 1:21-22.  Returns home 1:23-25.  Zachariah remembered by God. 

Elizabeth, "God is my oath." 

John, "God's gift or God is gracious.

           

The annunciation to Mary.  1:26-33. The appearance and message of the angel v.26-33.  His word of assurance v.30.  The prophetic announcement v.31, this is almost a quotation of Isaiah 7:14, with the name Jesus displacing Immanuel.

           

Mary's response and submission v.34-38. Though perplexed she accepts the will of God and is willing to co-operate with that will.  This co-operation was a path to suffering - the shame of being thought unfaithful to her husband - the sword would pierce her soul as she beholds the sufferings of the son of her womb.

           

Her son, (v.32) shall be distinguished as:

           

Great. - This greatness shall consist in that he shall be called the "Son of the Most Highest."  Note the emphasis on the transcendence of God - so characteristically true of Jewish thought of that time.  Shall be given the greatest throne on earth, the throne of David his father.  Shall reign over God's people for ever.  He shall be king, shepherd Saviour, of all God's people.  Note also the eternal character of His kingdom.

           

The Shekinah.  Exod.40:29.  The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would be overshadowed by the power of the Most High, protecting her, engendering pregnancy and imparting a unique holiness to her child, such as does not belong essentially to the Incarnate Son of God.

           

The angel's knowledge of the pregnancy of Elizabeth and its actual duration would assure Mary of God's power.  Mary had not heard previously that Elizabeth was pregnant.  The case of Elizabeth (like Sarah) was an instance of what God can do.  His word of promise cannot fail.

           

The visitation. 1:39-45.  Mary made this journey, not altogether to verify the words of Gabriel, but to congratulate Elizabeth and to commune with her about the things that concerned them both.

           

Amakarism.  Elizabeth announces the beatitude or felicity of Mary.  Elizabeth is assured by the strong and jubilant movement of her unborn babe that Mary is intended for a special destination.  Bengal guessed that at this moment Mary conceived.  He may have been right.

           

The Magnificat.  Note the movement of Mary's Song.  Mary magnifies (extols, praises) God for His goodness.  His goodness extends to all that fear Him.  God vindicates His goodness in succouring the oppressed against the oppressor and in the fulfilment of His promise.

           

Mary's Song is modelled on Hannah's, 1.Sam.2:1-10.  It is a calm, but joyful and thankful meditation.  It is a noble expression of the finest type of piety found in Israel.  Calm joy, mingled with humility and the fear of God were typical features of such religious piety.  Whilst the mercy, righteousness, power and faithfulness of God are very real convict- ions.  The Hebrew character of this religious piety is very evident. 

           

The birth of John the Baptist.  1:57-66. His birth v.57-58; His circumcision v.59-66.  The song of Zachariah v.67-78.

           

John's early life.  Did John have some contact with the Essenes or the people of the Qumran Caves?  Many scholars are devoting much attention to these people.  They may have had some influence, but Rowley thinks their influence on Christianity is small.

           

The best book to read on this is F.F.Bruce - "Second Thoughts on the Dead Sea Scrolls."  Allegro in the Pelican Series jumps to many hasty conclusions. 

For translations, Gaster: or better still Vermes in Pelican Series.