Luke

This section will explain the main points within the Gospel of Luke in comparison of the other Gospels, specifically Matthew and Mark.

Table of Contents

 * 1) Who was Luke addressed to?
 * 2) ​Theophilus
 * 3) When was Luke made?
 * 4) Key Locations
 * 5)  Key Differences of Luke, Matthew and  Mark
 * 6) ​Birth of Jesus
 * 7) Jesus, The Prophet
 * 8) The Passion

What is Luke all about?
1) Who was Luke addressed to?

Theophilus: Like in Acts, Luke is addressed to Theophilus, which means “lover of God.” This could be code to actually be addressed to early Christians.

2) When was Luke made?

The Gospel of Luke was written sometime between 85-90 CE (Galambush) or 80s-90s CE (Borg).

3) Key Locations

Bethlehem, Nazareth, or Galilee?; Between each of the authors and Gospels, the location of Jesus’ birth is unclear. See "Birth of Jesus."

4) Key Differences of Luke, Matthew, and Mark

Birth of Jesus:

Mark begins with Jesus as adult whereas both Luke and Matthew include the birth of Jesus.

Both Matthew and Luke say: Jesus was born in Bethlehem by the virgin Mary who is betrothed to Joseph. However, the hometowns of Mary and Joseph are different in both Gospels. In Luke, they leave Nazareth to Bethlehem and register there for the census. In Matthew, they do not register and they left from Galilee. Moreover, Matthew asserts they were already in Bethlehem.

There is also a difference in genealogies. In Matthew, Joseph is a direct descendant of David’s son Solomon and Jesus as a descendant of Abraham. In Luke, Joseph is descended by David’s other son Nathan and Jesus from Adam, the original Son of God. This difference demonstrated that Jesus belonged to the Jews through Matthew’s interpretation. In contrast, for Luke’s interpretation of the genealogy, Jesus belonged to all (to the Jews and Gentiles).

The Prophet Jesus:

In Mark, authoritative leader, teacher, and healer. In Matthew, Jesus as the new Moses bringing the God’s law (Beatitudes). In Luke, during Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue, he talks about the prophets (Elijah and Elisha) sent by God to Gentiles (versus to the Jews). This message was met with contempt by the Jews in the synagogue. Ultimately, this fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah and makes Jesus to be a prophet of God.

In Mark and Matthew, Jesus is also a prophet, speaks the Word, predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and his own death by his enemies. In Luke, Jesus is also predicted to be rejected by his own people.

The Passion:

Luke places Jesus in the same prophetical line as previous Jewish prophets (ie. being rejected by other Jews to the point of martyrdom). In comparison to Mark, Jesus becomes uncertain once death is inevitable but in luke Jesus shows no doubts.