The Gospel of Luke

Who Is Jesus?

Copyright © 2002-2003 by M. W. Andrews; all rights reserved.

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as the copyright information is included as shown here.

Last revision: 5 June 2003

Go to Lesson 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

^Outline

1	Luke 1:1-2:52	Introducing Jesus
2	Luke 3:1-4:13	Jesus Identifies with People	Galilee (3:1-9:50)
3	Luke 4:14-5:35	Jesus’ Ministry to People	¯
4	Luke 5:36-6:49	Jesus Offers New Wine	¯
5	Luke 7:1-9:36	Who Is Jesus?	¯
6	Luke 9:37-10:42	Who Must We Be?	Journey (9:51-19:44)
7	Luke 11:1-12:12	By Whose Power?	¯
8	Luke 12:13-15:32	Choices	¯
9	Luke 16:1-18:34	Preparing for the Future	¯
10	Luke 18:35-20:44	The King Approaches	Jerusalem (19:44-24:53)
11	Luke 20:45-22:38	The Conflict	¯
12	Luke 22:39-23:56	The Sacrifice	¯
13	Luke 24:1-53	The Victory	¯

^{Explanation of style}

Luke 1:1-4 Red text Blue text Various symbols (some of these symbols may not appear in this study)

There is an abundance of questions and information provided in this study guide – more, in fact, than will fit in typical class periods. The purpose of this “excess” is to provide the teacher with options that best suit the needs and direction of the class. The teacher can trim the material to correspond with the desired length of the class and the interests of the group. Since the colored text helps identify elements that lead to the main themes, the colors can be used as a guide for what to include. Scriptures along the left margin should be read in class before proceeding with the questions and comments. Parentheses indicate that the reading is optional. Major points to emphasize A portion of the questions that emphasize the main themes. These could be distributed before class to help class members prepare their thoughts. [1] Endnote reference; click on the number to see the reference. Ñ “Key” point of explanation or interpretation s Question to ask your discussion group; possible answers or considerations sometimes follow in a list below the question. © Application question – useful for going deeper into each person’s walk with Christ. ( Quote that helps amplify the point or help class members think about it. @ Historical reference. þ Relevant map with link to click on. µ Relevant photo with link to click on. ™ Relevant art work with link to click on. ¥ Text slide with link to click on. A box with an arrow points to a question (and possible answers) that could be listed on a flipchart or similar tool.  This format encourages class members to share more of their thoughts about the question. A box (without an arrow) containing text represents a fundamental principle in the lesson that should be written or projected where all students can see it.  This helps them retain the central message while other supporting points are being discussed.

^{Lesson 1}

Introduction

Col. 4:7-15

s Describe Luke. - Probably not a Jew - Doctor - Beloved s What kind of personality or character traits would you expect to find in a beloved doctor? Ñ Doctors were not held in honor like today. The Greco-Roman respect for doctors vs. teachers was almost the reverse of our attitude toward the same professions. In that time doctors received much lower wages than teachers. s What spiritual qualities do you have that are tailor-made for your profession (or role or vocation)? Ñ If Luke was, in fact, a Gentile, then he is the only known Gentile writer in the New Testament. s Since he was not one of the apostles, Luke did not see first-hand the incidents he reported.  How might he have collected the information?

Introducing Jesus  (Luke 1:1-2:52)

Luke 1:1-4	s Why did Luke write this book? Ñ Luke’s Gospel is the longest book in the New Testament. Ñ It was written in the early 60’s (A.D.)
Luke 1:5-25	s What is the location in which the story is set? s Who are the characters? s What is the situation? Ñ Zacharias, the central character in this scene, was a priest.  Since every direct descendant of Aaron was automatically a priest, there were far too many priests for ordinary purposes. They were therefore divided into twenty-four sections.  Only at the Passover, at Pentecost and at the Feast of Tabernacles did all the priests serve.  For the rest of the year each section served two periods of one week each.  Priests who loved their work looked forward to that week of service above all things; it was the highlight of their lives. [1] s How is John described (v.14-17)? What is the significance of v.17?
Luke 1:26-38	s How would you compare the interaction between Gabriel and Mary with the interaction between Gabriel and Zacharias? s Compare the description of Jesus with the description of John. s Who was Jesus going to be (v.32-33)? - Son of God - Son of David Ñ The image of the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary is the same terminology used when the disciples were surrounded by a cloud in the presence of Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:34). [2]
Luke 1:46-55	Songs of Praise s What hymns would you include in a list of great Christian hymns? What makes them great? Ñ The remainder of chapter 1 includes three great songs: - “Ave Maria” (Luke 1:41-42) - “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55) - “Benedictus”                (Luke 1:67-79) Ñ How does Mary describe God? - Savior (how is this elaborated?) - Compassionate - Holy - Merciful - Active - Just s Stanley Jones said, "the `Magnificat' is the most revolutionary document in the world." [3] What do you think is “revolutionary” about Mary’s words? - Scatters the proud  (moral revolution) - Exalts the humble and casts down the powerful (social revolution) - Sends away empty those who are rich and fills the hungry (economic revolution)
Luke 1:67-79	Ñ “Salvation” is one of Luke’s favorite words; he uses it much more than the other Gospel writers (v.69,71,77). The Greek word SOTERIA means “healing” as well as “deliverance.”  Perhaps Luke the physician liked to view Jesus’ work as the ultimate fulfillment of his own calling. s Who was John going to be (v.76-79)?
Luke 2:1-20 (Luke 2:1-15)	Introducing Jesus s Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? Ñ Inns in the 1^st century were not like our motels today. They were mainly houses in which travelers were given a place to spend the night.  Since many of the people coming to Bethlehem could have been relatives of Mary and Joseph, they may not have been as alone as our popular nativity scenes suggest.
	s What was the significance of the announcement to the shepherds? Ñ Shepherds were despised by the orthodox Jews at that time.  They were unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous hand-washings and rules and regulations.  But it was to simple men of the fields that God's message first came. [4] Ñ These were in all likelihood very special shepherds.  Every morning and evening in the Temple, an unblemished lamb was offered as a sacrifice to God.  To see that the supply of perfect offerings was always available the Temple authorities had their own private sheep flocks; and we know that these flocks were pastured near Bethlehem. It is most likely that these shepherds were in charge of the flocks from which the Temple offerings were chosen.  It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. [5]
Luke 2:21-38 (Luke 2:25-35)	Ñ According to the Law (Lev.12), a mother was ritually unclean for 40 days after bearing a son; on the fortieth day she brought a sacrifice to the Temple. Their sacrifice (v.24) was the smallest permitted (i.e., that of a poor person). Ñ (v.13)  Every firstborn belonged to God; he had to be ransomed with a fee (Exod.13:2,12). s How did Simeon describe Jesus? How does his description summarize Jesus’ work and purpose? s What was Jesus going to be for the Gentiles (v.32)? s What was Jesus going to be for Israel (v.32)? s What gave Anna the prophetess hope (v.36-38)?
Luke 2:39-52	s How much do we know about Jesus as a young boy? s What was His attitude toward the Temple and the teachers? ( “Here we have the story of the day when Jesus discovered who he was. And mark this – the discovery did not make him proud.  It did not make him look down on his humble parents.  He went home and he was obedient to them.  The fact that he was God's Son made him the perfect son of his human parents.  The real man of God does not despise earthly ties but discharges human duties with supreme fidelity.” [6]

ÿ Luke had a purpose in writing this book.

ÿ Jesus is introduced with songs of praise.

ÿ Jesus had a purpose for both the Gentiles and the Jews (2:32).

^{Lesson 2}

Galilee (3:1 – 9:50)

Jesus Identifies with People  (Luke 3:1-4:13)

Luke 3:1-22	Baptism s In what ways does Luke date the coming of John the Baptist? - Tiberius became the 2^nd Roman emperor in A.D. 14. - After Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., his territory was divided among four tetrarchs (literally governors of quarter-parts): 1. Herod Antipas (Galilee & Peraea), 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 2. Herod Philip (Ituraea & Trachonitis) , 4 B.C. to A.D. 33 3. Lysanias (Abilene?) 4. Archelaus (Judaea, Samaria, & Edom), replaced by a Roman procurator, Pilate (A.D. 25-37) after the Jews petitioned for Archelaus’ removal. s Who were Annas and Caiaphas? Ñ The high-priest was at one and the same time the civil and the religious head of the community.  Before they were subject to the Roman Empire, the office of high-priest had been hereditary and for life, but by this time it had become the object of all kinds of intrigue. The result was that between 37 B.C. and A.D. 26 there were no fewer than twenty-eight different high-priests.  Annas was actually high-priest from A.D. 7 until A.D. 14.  He was therefore at this time out of office; but he was succeeded by no fewer than four of his sons and Caiaphas was his son-in-law.  Therefore, although Caiaphas was the reigning high-priest, Annas was the power behind the position.  That is why Jesus was brought first to Annas after his arrest (Jn.18:13) although at that time he was not in office.  Luke associates his name with Caiaphas because, although Caiaphas was the actual high-priest, Annas was still the most influential priestly figure in the land. [7] Ñ In v.2 we are told about an occurrence that had not happened in 400 years!  “The word of God came to John.”
(Luke 3:1-6)	s What did John the Baptist proclaim? - Baptism – a familiar practice for converts to Judaism, but John claimed that Jews needed cleansing, too. John was essentially treating the Jews as pagans who needed to repent and come back to God’s kingdom. - Repentance – What does this mean? METANOIA: literally, “to perceive afterwards” – to change one’s mind or purpose. - Forgiveness – Did you know that the message included this (also in Mark)? APHESIS: literally, “send away, dismiss.” A medical term for the remission (or relaxing) of disease. Compare 4:18, where it is translated “release.”
(Luke 3:15-22)	s Describe the standard of living that John suggests in v.11-14. s John was called to “prepare the way for the Lord” (1:76-77). How do His teachings accomplish that? s Why did people think John might be the Christ (v.15)? s What did John prophesy about Jesus (v.16-17)? s Why do you suppose Jesus was baptized? - He was consecrated (set apart) for ministry - Approval of the Father and the Spirit - Announcement of the Messiah’s arrival and beginning of his ministry (Jn.129-34) - Jesus identified with man’s need to be cleansed from sin (1 Cor.5:21) - Example for Jesus’ followers s Notice how Luke links prayer and Spirit starting in v.21. Luke makes this connection on several occasions (9:29; 23:46).  Luke focuses on Jesus in prayer more than the other Gospels.
Luke 3:23-38	s What are some names that you recognize in Jesus’ genealogy? - David, Abraham, Moses, God
Luke 4:1-13	Temptation Ñ One purpose of Jesus’ baptism was that He might identify fully with mankind.  His temptation fulfills a similar purpose, joining the two events with a common a theme: identifying with mankind. s What are the temptations that Satan uses? - To emphasize material things as a substitute or distraction from focusing on God - To compromise in order to achieve worldly power - To test God rather than trust Him Ñ Satan tried to entice Jesus to grasp by His own power what the Father planned to give in His own time. s How are we tempted in the same ways?
	s What “equipment” did Jesus use to defend Himself against temptation? - Spirit - Scripture s Are these weapons available to us? s Does it help to know that Jesus was full of the Spirit at the same time that He was tempted (v1-2)?

ÿ Jesus identified with our humanity:

Ø in our need to be associated with the Father (through baptism)

Ø in our struggle with temptation

^{Lesson 3}

Jesus’ Ministry to People  (Luke 4:14-5:35)

Luke 4:14-44 Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:16-30)	Mission s In what sense was Isaiah 61:1-2 fulfilled in the hearing of Jesus’ audience (Luke 4:21)? - Perhaps He was assuming His role in their presence (as He also did in the presence of others at other times). - He was “annointed” – the verb from which “Christ” is derived.  Thus He was announcing who He was. Ñ When Jesus sat down after speaking, it was not to indicate that He was finished, but rather that He was ready to begin.  At that time Rabbis taught sitting down. [8] s Did the people understand what Jesus was telling them? - They understood Him to be suggesting something about Himself, because they claimed to know who He “really” was – Joseph’s son. - Jesus anticipated that they would want Him to prove His claim, so they may have connected His statement with Messiahship. Ñ Jesus responded with a common saying, “Physician, heal yourself” (4:23).  We might say it as “charity begins at home.”  He had been performing healing in Capernaum, and the Nazarenes felt they deserved some benefit from one of their own. s Have you ever expected Jesus to do for you what you have heard He has done for other people? s Why did Jesus remind them that Gentiles had been healed in the past? s What is the central point of 4:25-27? - Nobody is privileged in God’s sight s Why did Jesus’ remarks make the people so mad? s How do the events in the rest of the chapter relate to Jesus’ statements in Nazareth? 4:33-35      Demon-possessed man 4:38-39      Sick woman 4:40-41      Various diseases and demons Ñ The central point of this section is Jesus’ mission, amplifying 4:18. Ñ Jesus came to those who were oppressed – those who were the objects of prejudice and rejection.  This would probably come across more clearly to us if we understood the context of the passage Jesus quoted.
	Isaiah 54-66 deals with growing in a relationship with God.  Up through chapter 59, we discover that building a relationship with God means building a relationship with other people – and not necessarily the people we would choose. Isaiah 60-61 presents God’s action: providing strength, comfort, and joy to people – and especially toward the “undesirables.”  And the people in the latter part of this chapter were some of those who were neglected. s In Luke 4:43, Jesus said that He came to “preach the kingdom of God.”  What have you learned about the kingdom of God from this section? Ñ The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs more than 30 times in Luke.
Luke 5:1-11	Disciples s What was Simon’s profession?  - fisherman s What was Jesus’ profession?  - carpenter’s “son” s What might Peter have thought about such a suggestion coming from a carpenter? - Simon knew the best fishing spots.  He also knew the most favorable conditions for making a catch; and this day was one of the worst.  Furthermore, they fished at night, and the likelihood of catching fish diminished as it got later in the day. s How did Simon respond to the outcome (5:8)? - Being an expert fisherman, he knew that this was no coincidence. s What was Jesus’ purpose in doing this – to help them improve their fishing? - No, He wanted to change their profession altogether. s What kind of people was Jesus calling? How did He go about calling them to serve Him? What kind of responsibility was Jesus going to give them? s In fishing for men, who casts the nets?  - Disciples s In fishing for men, who fills the nets?  - Jesus Ñ Note: The disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus – even the fish!  (5:11)
Luke 5:12-16	Ñ Jesus’ mission, as presented in chapter 4, is continued throughout the book, as He ministers to the outcasts of society.  In the remainder of chapter 5 we see some people who were neglected and despised by most of society. Leper Ñ Jesus could have healed the leper from a distance, but instead He touched the man.  Usually no one wants to make contact with a leper, and the disease actually destroys the physical ability to feel what is touched.  So Jesus’ physical contact with the man may have healed him both emotionally and physically.
	s Who are the people today that no one wants to make contact with? How can we help “touch” them?
Luke 5:17-26	Paralytic s Why do you suppose Jesus declared the paralytic’s sins forgiven rather than first healing him physically? s The faith of the paralytic’s friends brought him healing. Are there people whom we should be “carrying” to Jesus? ( “The wonderful thing is that here is a man who was saved by the faith of his friends.  When Jesus saw their faith--the eager faith of those who stopped at nothing to bring their friend to Jesus won his cure.  It still happens.” [9]
Luke 5:27-35	Tax Collectors & Sinners Ñ “Levi” is the same person as “Matthew” – this is simply another name for the same person. Ñ Tax collectors were probably the most hated people in Palestine. Since they represented the Roman government which ruled Palestine, a Jewish tax collector was regarded as a traitor. [10] s How did Levi respond to Jesus? - Left everything - Banquet s What was so bad about Jesus sharing in the meal that Levi provided? s Levi invited anyone that would associate with him. Shouldn’t we do the same? Are we guilty of being too selective about who we invite? s What was different about Jesus and His disciples from other religious people?  What was the reason for this difference? Ñ On more than one occasion Jesus compared the kingdom to a wedding feast.  Joy is an important characteristic of a relationship with Christ.
	Ñ The Greek word for “salvation” (soteria) means “healing” as well as “deliverance.”  Therefore Jesus was a “Savior” to these people physically as well as spiritually because He healed them. Ñ Notice that the spiritual aspect of Jesus’ mission is clarified in 5:31-32.  He brought spiritual healing to those who recognized that they needed it, and the physical healing was almost secondary (as clearly stated in 5:24).

ÿ Jesus had a mission:

Ø To raise those who were lowly  (i.e., neglected or oppressed)

Ø To heal those who were sinners  (i.e., those who could admit it)

^{Lesson 4}

Jesus Offers New Wine  (Luke 5:36-6:49)

Luke 5:36-39	Parable of the Wineskins & the Garment Ñ Wine was kept in goatskin bags.  As the fresh grape juice fermented, the wine would expand, and the new wineskin would stretch.  But a used skin, already stretched, would break.  Similarly, it would be absurd to tear up a brand-new coat in order to patch an old one. s How does this apply to what Jesus was trying to accomplish? s Why do people sometimes prefer to patch their old coats, keep their old wineskins along with the new wine, or simply insist that the “old wine is better” without ever tasting the new?
Luke 6:1-11	Sabbath s What was a good Pharisee’s view of the Sabbath? How did this view miss its true significance? Ñ The first time Jesus healed on the Sabbath (4:31ff), people were so awed by His power that they failed to notice He had worked on the Sabbath. s What was Jesus saying in 6:9 about the Sabbath’s purpose?
Luke 6:12-16	Leaders Ñ After a night of prayer, Jesus chose 12 “apostles” from a larger number of disciples (6:13).  An “apostle” is “one who is sent,” a herald, ambassa-dor, or proxy.  s Why do you suppose Jesus chose twelve? - Perhaps it was symbolic of the chosen nation
Luke 6:17-38	Standards s Why were the people coming to Jesus (6:18-19)? Ñ “Blessed’ means happy, joyful, satisfied, or fulfilled. Ñ “Woe” (or “alas”) expresses compassion rather than an angry threat. s In what ways do Jesus’ admonitions seem illogical? ( “Jesus promised his disciples three things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.” – F. R. Maltby [11] s What attitudes tempt rich and respected people to lose the greatest blessing?
	s In general, what is Jesus’ rule for life in 6:27-36? - Love your enemies ( “Agapan describes an active feeling of benevolence towards the other person; it means that no matter what that person does to us we will never allow ourselves to desire anything but his highest good; and we will deliberately and of set purpose go out of our way to be good and kind to him.  This is most suggestive.  We cannot love our enemies as we love our nearest and dearest.  To do so would be unnatural, impossible and even wrong.  But we can see to it that, no matter what a man does to us, even if he insults, ill-treats and injures us, we will seek nothing but his highest good.  …  What is the reason for this Christian conduct?  The reason is that it makes us like God, for that is the way he acts.” [12] s What do we risk by “turning the other cheek” (6:29-30)? s What do the statements in 6:37-38 make you want to do? s What are some “new” things that have been mentioned in chapter 6? s How do people respond to “new” directions?
Luke 6:39-49	s Jesus encourages His listeners to go beyond mere appearances to understand the real nature of their spiritual walk. How do Jesus’ parables in this section help us look deeper into ourselves? s Any time that rewards are involved, people will look at others to measure their own progress.  What does 6:39-45 say about this? - Look at yourself, not your brother - Measure you own reward by your own heart, which can be measured by your own fruit. Ñ Fruit is a result, a manifestation of the “tree”, not the thing to be judged.  What is to be judged is the heart, which we can’t see.

ÿ Jesus’ teachings are always revolutionary for people who are tied to rules and laws.

ÿ Jesus valued substance more than form, because appearances are limited to what we are capable of understanding.

^{Lesson 5}

Who Is Jesus?  (Luke 7:1-9:36)

Luke 7:1-10	Ñ We’ve already been introduced to the people to whom Jesus came.  Now the focus is on Jesus himself. Authority – Centurion Ñ A centurion was roughly equivalent to a regimental sergeant-major.[13]  He commanded a company of a hundred troops. Ñ Scripture only records two occasions on which Jesus was “amazed” (Mark 6:6; Luke 7:9). s How did the centurion show a “great faith”? s What did the centurion understand about Jesus and His kingdom? - Authority!
Luke 7:11-17	From God – Widow’s Son Ñ Nain was a day's journey from Capernaum and lay between Endor and Shunem, where Elisha raised another mother's son (2 Kings 4:18-37). [14] s No one asked Jesus to raise this young man, so why do you suppose He did it? s What did the people think about Jesus? - Prophet - From God
Luke 7:18-35 (Luke 7:18-23)	Unexpected Fulfillment – John s Where has John the Baptist been since chapter 3 of Luke? - He has been in prison - Therefore, all that John knew about Jesus was what he heard from others. s What did John want to know? s Do you suppose that Jesus was not what John expected? (Luke 3:7-9; 16-18) s How did Jesus answer? - His response echoes his mission from 4:18 s Did Jesus consider John a great man? Was he the greatest (7:28)? s How was baptism a differentiator between the religious experts and many others?
	Ñ 7:31-34 explains the attitude of the people (especially the leaders). John lived strictly and preached warning (i.e., “he sang a dirge”). Jesus lived exuberantly and preached joy (i.e., He “played the flute”). The religious leaders didn’t like the message either way, and thereby rejected god’s purpose for them.
Luke 7:36-50	Power to forgive – Prostitute s What do you think Simon thought about his relationship with God? What do you think the prostitute thought about her relationship with God? s What did the prostitute want? s What was Jesus’ attitude toward this woman? s What should be our attitude toward “sinners” such as prostitutes, homosexuals, etc.? s From a Pharisaic perspective, Jesus contaminated Himself by associating with such people.  Are we sometimes guilty of acting like the Pharisees? ( Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue squad within a yard of hell. – C. T. Studd s What did Jesus claim about Himself in v.47? s How did the people respond? - “Who is this man?”
Luke 8:1-3	Not Bound By Tradition – Women Ñ This passage lists a little group of women who served him out of their resources.  It was always considered to be a pious act to support