LECTURE 9
Dr. Eddie Germiquet
Dr. Eddie Germiquet
In order to understand the literary composition of Luke / Acts some important aspects and characteristics of the author (Luke) were looked at:
1. Luke’s contribution to the New Testament is second only to Paul. Paul = 33% to Luke’s 28%. Luke’s significance as a NT writer is generally underestimated.
2. He is the only NT writer of Gentile origin. This enabled him to have a worldview which was much broader than writers of Hebrew origin.
3. He is consequently the only gospel writer who wrote a second book (Acts) indicating the ongoing ministry of Jesus after His resurrection.
Literary structure:
1. Luke structured his 2 volume work in the style of a Journey Narrative.
2. The background to this literary structure is found in Mark 10 but also originates in the OT where it takes on great importance. Abraham was called to pack up his belongings and go to where the Lord would lead him. Moses, likewise, was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (bondage) to Canaan (Promised Land). Also a theme in Graeco-Roman philosophy: eg Peripatetic philosophers.
3. The Gospel of Luke can be divided into three parts:
i) Ministry in Galilee; Lk 4 to 9:50.
ii) Ministry while on the way to Jerusalem; Lk 9:51 to 19:28. NB Note interspersed markers: “While on his way…” “As he approached Jerusalem…” “While passing through…”
iii) Ministry in Jerusalem; Lk 19:29 to 24:13.
4. Acts can likewise be divided into stages of ever increasing distance from Jerusalem, based on the programmatic statement in Acts 1:8 “You will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
5. Ministry in the book of Acts takes place in Jerusalem until Acts 8:1. From there the Journey Narrative theme is evident as a backdrop reaching its climax when Paul attains Rome (capital and “centre” of the Empire).
6. Luke’s entire 2 volume work is of a journey presented in a chiastic structure centered on Jerusalem. Gospel = towards Jerusalem. Acts = away from Jerusalem.
7. The turning point in the Journey Narrative occurs on the day of the resurrection. Unlike the other gospels, in Luke’s work the first people who meet the resurrected Jesus are not at the tomb but while walking away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. For Luke, the resurrection of Jesus is of primary importance and is the turning point in history.
Related matters that raise theological issues
1. Christians in Acts are called “Followers of the Way.”
2. As Christians are “Followers of the Way”, Luke pays special attention to the healing of cripples; loosening people who have their feet bound by chains in prison or demon possessed which renders them incapable of “walking”.
3. Some of the parables unique to Luke focus on a journey theme. Eg Prodigal Son (Lk 15) and Good Samaritan (Lk 10) with a kind of death and resurrection theme at the turning point of the story.
4. While the “Sinful Woman” in Mark ( Mk 14) and Matthew (Mtt 26) anoint Jesus’ head in preparation for His burial, Luke portrays her as anointing his feet in preparation for His journey to Jerusalem (Luke 7: 36ff).
5. The turning point in the Zaccheus account (also unique to Luke) occurs when he “stands up” (Lk 19:8). Before that Zaccheus is like a little animal climbing trees, after that he is reintegrated fully as a human being into his community and also as a son of Abraham.
Theological significance
1. The Journey for Luke is towards and with the Kingdom (reign) of God.
2. For Luke to not be able to walk is to be “bound”. This bondage is broken (released) once and for all on the day of the resurrection when Jesus “rises” and there is a restoration of the upright position.
3. Luke shows interplay between being able to walk and having one’s sins forgiven: “Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?” (Luke 5:23) & “And ought not this woman, who is a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath Day?” (Luke 13:16).
Long term vision
1. The book of Acts is left open ended without recounting Paul’s death at the hands of Nero (20 yrs before Luke wrote) so as to encourage and guide the reader to realize that the journey is not ended but continues, and to take up the challenge of also becoming a “Follower of the Way”.
Evening led by Eddie Germiquet
1. Luke’s contribution to the New Testament is second only to Paul. Paul = 33% to Luke’s 28%. Luke’s significance as a NT writer is generally underestimated.
2. He is the only NT writer of Gentile origin. This enabled him to have a worldview which was much broader than writers of Hebrew origin.
3. He is consequently the only gospel writer who wrote a second book (Acts) indicating the ongoing ministry of Jesus after His resurrection.
Literary structure:
1. Luke structured his 2 volume work in the style of a Journey Narrative.
2. The background to this literary structure is found in Mark 10 but also originates in the OT where it takes on great importance. Abraham was called to pack up his belongings and go to where the Lord would lead him. Moses, likewise, was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (bondage) to Canaan (Promised Land). Also a theme in Graeco-Roman philosophy: eg Peripatetic philosophers.
3. The Gospel of Luke can be divided into three parts:
i) Ministry in Galilee; Lk 4 to 9:50.
ii) Ministry while on the way to Jerusalem; Lk 9:51 to 19:28. NB Note interspersed markers: “While on his way…” “As he approached Jerusalem…” “While passing through…”
iii) Ministry in Jerusalem; Lk 19:29 to 24:13.
4. Acts can likewise be divided into stages of ever increasing distance from Jerusalem, based on the programmatic statement in Acts 1:8 “You will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
5. Ministry in the book of Acts takes place in Jerusalem until Acts 8:1. From there the Journey Narrative theme is evident as a backdrop reaching its climax when Paul attains Rome (capital and “centre” of the Empire).
6. Luke’s entire 2 volume work is of a journey presented in a chiastic structure centered on Jerusalem. Gospel = towards Jerusalem. Acts = away from Jerusalem.
7. The turning point in the Journey Narrative occurs on the day of the resurrection. Unlike the other gospels, in Luke’s work the first people who meet the resurrected Jesus are not at the tomb but while walking away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. For Luke, the resurrection of Jesus is of primary importance and is the turning point in history.
Related matters that raise theological issues
1. Christians in Acts are called “Followers of the Way.”
2. As Christians are “Followers of the Way”, Luke pays special attention to the healing of cripples; loosening people who have their feet bound by chains in prison or demon possessed which renders them incapable of “walking”.
3. Some of the parables unique to Luke focus on a journey theme. Eg Prodigal Son (Lk 15) and Good Samaritan (Lk 10) with a kind of death and resurrection theme at the turning point of the story.
4. While the “Sinful Woman” in Mark ( Mk 14) and Matthew (Mtt 26) anoint Jesus’ head in preparation for His burial, Luke portrays her as anointing his feet in preparation for His journey to Jerusalem (Luke 7: 36ff).
5. The turning point in the Zaccheus account (also unique to Luke) occurs when he “stands up” (Lk 19:8). Before that Zaccheus is like a little animal climbing trees, after that he is reintegrated fully as a human being into his community and also as a son of Abraham.
Theological significance
1. The Journey for Luke is towards and with the Kingdom (reign) of God.
2. For Luke to not be able to walk is to be “bound”. This bondage is broken (released) once and for all on the day of the resurrection when Jesus “rises” and there is a restoration of the upright position.
3. Luke shows interplay between being able to walk and having one’s sins forgiven: “Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?” (Luke 5:23) & “And ought not this woman, who is a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath Day?” (Luke 13:16).
Long term vision
1. The book of Acts is left open ended without recounting Paul’s death at the hands of Nero (20 yrs before Luke wrote) so as to encourage and guide the reader to realize that the journey is not ended but continues, and to take up the challenge of also becoming a “Follower of the Way”.
Evening led by Eddie Germiquet
