Analytical Gospel Review: The Gospel Of Luke

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Analytical Gospel Review
The Gospel of Luke was written by a man bearing the same name, “a physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul” who was considered “well-educated, fluent in Greek, and possessed a keen sense of literary style” (Mellowes, n.d.). Luke is the only Gentile author of a Gospel, he is credited to have also written the book of Acts, and is considered “The Gospel of the Savior of All Sorts of People” (Rhodes, 2000, p. 235).
When and where the Gospel of Luke was written remains unknown. Rhodes (2003) suggests that “it was about 80 C.E. though it may have been a little earlier” (p. 235). Attridge (n.d.) simply states that “Luke was probably writing in the later decades of the first century.” When it comes to where Luke …show more content…

236). Attridge (n.d.) wrote that “In Luke, Jesus emerges primarily as a teacher, a teacher or ethical wisdom, someone who’s confident and serene in the ethical teaching. Someone who is very interested in inculcating the virtues of compassion and forgiveness among his followers.” Perhaps Luke’s passion to ethical teaching explains why the majority of original content are parables, for example: parable of two debtors, parable of the friend at midnight, parable of the rich fool, parable of punishment, parable of the lost coin, parable of the shrewd manager, parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and many more (The Jesus File Projects, 2017). Mellowes (n.d.) explained that “According to some interpreters, Luke’s Jesus is not only a king but also resembles a Greek philosopher. Others suggest that Luke’s Jesus more closely resembles a semi-divine hero, such as those portrayed in popular storied and celebrated in Greek song.”
There are eight other distinguishing features of Luke’s Gospel according to Rhodes (2000): (1) The gospel is for all people, (2) The Samaritans are objects of Jesus’ concern and commendation, (3) Jesus came to save the outcasts of society too, (4) Jesus champions the cause of the poor, (5) Women have a prominent place in Luke’s Gospel, (6) Joy is a recurring theme in the Gospel of Luke, (7) Luke gives special …show more content…

The sense of abandonment that characterizes Mark’s ending is reduced to a brief interlude in Luke’s story. As Luke’s gospel ends, Jesus has departed in body. But at the beginning of Acts, his Spirit returns, guiding the disciples to the successful completion of their mission. Luke is my personal favorite gospel. He was a storyteller. Through the parables and words of Jesus, Luke teaches us how to live in a way pleasing to God and to love one another. Luke 6:27-31 gives us Jesus’ words:
But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shift. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if one takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
The Gospel of Luke also speaks of judgment and forgiveness; “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37-38). Even as he dies on the cross, Jesus still sets the example of forgiveness; “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke

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