A Jewish Bible Companion (Part 10 of 0)

A Reading Plan for the Gospel of Luke(1) – Part eleven

This article is the first of several on the gospel of Luke The series will, Lord willing, list the many parallels between sections of Luke and the weekly Torah readings. It will also list parallels between sections of Luke and the readings from the former prophets (i.e. the histories).

The Forward to Luke’s Gospel

Luke begins his gospel with a formal introduction, “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightiest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Lk. 1:1-4).

In the following discussion, we hope to show that this opening paragraph tells us Luke’s plan and purpose. We feel his plan was to write a gospel that lined up with the readings from the law and the prophets. His purpose was to instruct in the first principles of the truth.

Many have taken in hand

When Luke wrote, “many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things” (Lk. 1:1), did this include Mark and Matthew? Luke almost certainly had them in front of him when he wrote his gospel (see Michael (Goulder, The Evangelists’ Calendar, SPCK, 1978). If so, Luke’s gospel must differ from the gospels of Mark and Matthew or there would be no need to provide it. How did it differ?

Fulfilled among us

“Those things which are most surely believed among us” is translated “those things which have been fulfilled among us” in the Revised Version. Later on Luke records the words of Jesus, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (Lk. 16:17). This set of studies will show that Luke meant exactly what he said: Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets in detail. We suggest Luke’s gospel is a sequence of weekly readings recording these fulfillment’s.

In order

Luke writes, “It seemed good unto me also…to write unto thee in order” (Lk. 1:3). Our first inclination might be to assume that Luke wrote his gospel in chronological order. But that is clearly not the case. Here are two examples out of many (see Harry Whittaker’s Studies in the Gospels, p. 4, for a more complete list). Luke 3:21-22 records the baptism of Jesus, but in the preceding verse, Luke 3:20, John the Baptist is shut up in prison. Luke 4:14-30 records the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth, which happened later in his ministry; in fact, Luke 4:23 refers to the miracles that Jesus had done in Capernaum, but, in Luke’s gospel, Jesus does not go to Capernaum until Luke 4:31.

So, what did Luke mean when he said that he was writing “in order”?

The Greek word translated “in order” means in sequence, but not necessarily in chronological sequence. “And it came to pass afterward (i.e., next)” (Lk. 8:1); “all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after. (in the Hebrew Bible)” (Acts 3:24); and Paul “went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order (i.e., in geographical sequence)” (Acts 18:23).

This last use of the word might be taken as a clue to Luke’s use in Luke 1:3. Indeed, a geographical progression is discernible in Luke’s gospel. In Luke 1:1-­4:30, Nazareth is the family’s home base. This may explain why Luke moves the rejection at Nazareth to this point in his gospel: he puts it in his Nazareth section. In Luke 4:31-7:50, Capernaum seems to be Jesus’ home base. In Luke 8:1-9:50, Jesus is an itinerant preacher, going throughout every city and village, and leaving Galilee for the first time in Luke’s record. From Luke 9:51 to the end, Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, where he is arrested, tried, convicted, crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. The Jews summarize this progression to Pilate, “They were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee to this place (i.e., Jerusalem)” (Lk. 23:5 RV). In Acts, the progression is essentially reversed (Acts 1:8).

But the gospels of Mark and Matthew have similar geographical progressions, so this would not make Luke’s gospel different.

Alternatively, Luke’s words probably indicate that he was writing in the order of weekly readings, to be read alongside the readings for the law and the prophets.

Showing that he does indeed do this is the goal of this sequence of articles.

Furthermore, such a scheme makes Luke’s gospel a perfect complement to the gospels of Matthew and Mark, both of which were centered around the readings for the Jewish holy days. Thus Luke lines up with the sabbath days and Matthew and Mark with the festivals.

Sayings to be known with certainty

Luke explains his purpose in writing, “that thou mightiest know the certainty of those things” (Lk. 1:4). What are “those things”? The Revisers indicate in their margin that the Greek word for “things” means “words”. In fact, the word is logos, which is the word that Paul uses in the pastoral letters in reference to the “faithful sayings”. These “faithful sayings” were probably taken from an early statement of faith. So, Luke is telling us that he is writing that we might know the certainty of the first principles. The gospel of Luke is his set of first principle classes!

Catechism

This conclusion is confirmed by the next clause, “that thou mightiest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Lk. 1:4). The Greek word for “instructed” is katecheo (see also Acts 18:25; Rom. 2:17-18; 1 Cor. 14:19; Gal. 6:6) from which we get the English words “catechize” (to instruct), “catechism” (an instruction manual), and “catechumen” (someone being instructed). We refer to such instruction as first principle classes. So, Luke intended his gospel to be a manual for the instruction of those preparing for baptism. Apparently, Theophilus had been instructed in these first principles, and Luke wrote them down so he would have a more permanent record of them.

Luke’s “Deuteronomy” Section

Recognition of this fact helps us to understand some of the features of Luke’s gospel. For example, consider the section of his gospel which was to be read alongside the book of Deuteronomy.

Three first principle classes per week

As the table of readings given below indicates, we suggest Luke has three lessons for each reading from Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy, with its constant reference to the two ways, one that leads to life, the other to death, was the Jewish catechism. Luke’s three lessons were needed because he gave three classes a week. This pattern would follow the Jewish practice of three public readings each week in addition to the complete reading on Saturday morning. The week’s Torah portion was read in three parts, the first part on Saturday afternoon, the second part on Monday evening, and the third on Thursday evening. The complete Torah portion was then repeated on Saturday morning. Apparently, Luke did something similar for his first principle classes.

Topics of the classes

The topics that Luke covers in his Deuteronomy section are particularly appropriate for someone preparing for baptism. It begins with the three would-be disciples (Lk. 9:57-62); and later exhorts would-be disciples to consider the cost of discipleship (14:25-35). Jesus sends out the seventy into his harvest to preach the coming of the kingdom of God (10:1-24). The lawyer (10:25-37) and the ruler (18:18-30) ask what they must do to inherit eternal life, providing an opportunity for Jesus to expound the two great commandments, love God and love your neighbor, and the ten commandments. There are discussions of prayer (11:1-13; 18:1-14), riches (12:1-34; 16:1-31), and repentance (12:54-13:9; 15:1-32). In Luke 10-13, hypocritical, unrepentant Jews fail to enter into the kingdom. In Luke 14-18, the poor, maimed, blind, publicans and sinners are welcomed in as a result of their repentance.

The key to successful instruction is the willingness of the potential disciple to be instructed. Luke records the words of Jesus, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein” (Lk. 18:17).

The rest of this article gives a table of readings for the gospel of Luke. In the following articles we will outline specific parallels between Luke and the law and the histories.

Table of Readings for the Gospel of Luke

Torah Readings from Genesis

(Assuming accounts of the trial and crucifixion would line up with Passover, we begin by aligning Luke 1 with the fifth Torah reading.)

Gen. 23:1-25:18 The life of Sarah Lk. 1:1-25 Announcement of John
Gen. 25:19-28:9 The generations Lk. 1:26-56 Announcement of Jesus
Gen. 28:10-32:2 And he went out Lk. 1:57-80 Birth of John
Gen. 32:3-36:43 And he sent Lk. 2:1-40 Birth of Jesus
Gen. 37:1-40:23 And he dwelt Lk. 2:41-52 Jesus at twelve years old
Gen. 41:1-44:17 At the end Lk. 3:1-20 Preaching of John
Gen. 44:18-47:27 Then he came near Lk. 3:21-38 Baptism and genealogy
Gen. 47:28-50:26 And he lived  Lk. 4:1-13 Temptations

Torah Readings from Exodus

Ex. 1:1-6:1 The names Lk. 4:14-30 Rejection at Nazareth
Ex. 6:2-9:35 And I appeared  Lk. 4:31-37 Unclean spirit healed
Ex. 10:1-13:16 Go in  Lk. 4:38-44 Mother-in-law healed
Ex. 13:17-17:16 When he let them  Lk. 5:1-11 First apostles called
Ex. 18:1-20:26 Jethro  Lk. 5:12-16 Leper healed
Ex. 21:1-24:18 The judgments Lk. 5:17-26 Paralytic healed
Ex. 25:1-27:19 And offering Lk. 5:27-39 At Levi’s house
Ex. 27:20-30:10 Thou shalt command Lk. 6:1-5 Cornfield
Ex. 30:11-34:35 When thou takest Lk. 6:6-11 Man with withered hand
Ex. 35:1-40:38 He assembled, the sum  Lk. 6:12-19 Call of the twelve

Torah Readings from Leviticus

Lev. 1:1-6:7 And He called Lk. 6:20-49 Sermon on the plain
Lev, 6:8-8:36 Command Lk. 7:1-10 Centurion’s servant healed
Lev. 9:1-11:47 On the eighth day  Lk. 7:11-17 Widow at Nain’s son raised
Lev. 12:1-15:33 If she conceive, leper Lk. 7:18-35 John from prison
Lev. 16:1-20:27 After the death, holy Lk. 7:36-50 Woman forgiven
Lev. 21:1-24:23 Speak Lk. 8:1-18 Parables
Lev. 25:1-26:2 In the mount Lk. 8:19-21 Mothers and brothers
Lev. 26:3-27:34 In my statutes  Lk. 8:22-25 Storm calmed

Torah Readings from Numbers

Num. 1:1-4:20 In the wilderness Lk. 8:26-39 Gadnrene demoniac healed
Num. 4:21-7:89 Take the sum  Lk. 8:40-48 Woman with issue healed
Num. 8:1-12:16 When thou lightest  Lk. 8:49-56 Ruler’s daughter healed
Num. 13:1-15:41 Send thou  Lk. 9:1-9 The twelve sent out
Num. 16:1-18:32 Korah Lk. 9:10-17 5000 fed
Num. 19:1-22:1 The ordinance Lk. 9:18-27 Peter’s confession
Num. 22:2-25:9 Balak Lk. 9:28-36 Transfiguration
Num. 25:10-29:40 Phinehas Lk. 9:37-45 Man’s epileptic boy healed
Num. 30:1-32:42 Tribes  Lk. 9:46-48 Question about greatest
Num. 33:1-36:13 The journies  Lk. 9:49-50 Strange healers

Torah Readings from Deuteronomy

Deut. 1:1-3:22 The words

  1. a. Lk. 9:51-62 Samaritan village, disciples
  2. b. Lk. 10:1-16 Seventy sent out
  3. c. Lk. 10:17-24 Seventy return

Deut. 3:23-7:11 I besought

  1. a. Lk. 10:25-37 Lawyer, good Samaritan
  2. b. Lk. 10:38-42 Mary and Martha
  3. c. Lk. 11:1-13 Prayer

Deut. 7:12-11:25 Because

  1. a. Lk. 11:14-28 Demoniac healed, Beelzebub
  2. b. Lk. 11:29-36 Jonah, light
  3. c. Lk. 11:37-54 Woes

Deut. 11:26-16:17 Behold

  1. a. Lk. 12:1-12 Confession
  2. b. Lk. 12:13-40 Riches
  3. c. Lk. 12:41-13:9 Servants, division, repent

Deut. 16:18-21:9 Judges

  1. a. Lk. 13:10-21 Bowed woman healed
  2. b. Lk. 13:22-35 Israel rejected until it repents
  3. c. Lk. 14:1-24 Pharisee’s dinner

Deut. 21:10-25:19 Going

  1. a. Lk. 14:25-35 Tower, king, salt
  2. b. Lk. 15:1-32 Lost sheep, coin, and son
  3. c. Lk. 16:1-13 Unjust steward

Deut. 26:1-29:8 Coming

  1. a. Lk. 16:14-17:4 Law, divorce, Lazarus
  2. b. Lk. 17:5-10 Merely unprofitable servants
  3. c. Lk. 17:11-19 Ten lepers

Deut. 29:9-30:20 Ye stand

  1. a. Lk. 17:20-37 The day of the Son of Man
  2. b. Lk. 18:1-8 Importunate widow
  3. c. Lk. 18:9-14 Pharisee and publican

Deut. 31:1-31:30 And he went

  1. a. Lk. 18:15-17 Children blessed
  2. b. Lk. 18:18-34 Ruler’s question
  3. c. Lk. 18:35-43 Blind man (Bartimaeus) healed

Deut. 32:1-32:52 Give ear

  1. a. Lk. 19:1-10 Zaccheus
  2. b. Lk. 19:11-28 Parable of the pounds
  3. c. Lk. 19:29-40 The triumphal entry

Deut. 33:1-34:12 Blessing

  1. a. Lk. 19:41-48 Lament for Jerusalem
  2. b. Lk. 20:1-8 By what authority
  3. c. Lk. 20:9-18 Wicked husbandmen

Torah Readings from Genesis

Gen. 1:1-6:8 Beginning

  1. Lk. 20:19-26 Question — tribute to Caesar
  2. Lk. 20:27-44 Question about resurrection
  3. Lk. 20:45-41:4 Widows, widow’s mites

Gen. 6:9-11:32 Noah

  1. Lk. 21:5-38 Olivet prophecy

Passover

6 pm Lk. 22:1-23 Last supper
9 pm Lk. 22:24-39 Conversation at supper
Midnight Lk. 22:40-53 Agony and arrest
3 am Lk. 22:54-65 Peter’s denials
6 am Lk. 22:66-23:12 Trials: Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod
9 am Lk. 23:13-32 Pilate sentences Jesus to death
Noon Lk. 23:33-43 Crucifixion
3 pm Lk. 23:44-56 Death and burial

Gen. 12:1-17:27 Get thee                            Lk. 24:1-12 Resurrection

Gen. 18:1-22:24 And he appeared              Lk. 24:13-53 Resurrection appearances