Christian Quest
Study 26
Luke's Parables of Jesus - Who Shall Be Justified

Reading:
Luke chapters 16 and 17

Commentary

Although Luke is not known to have ever personally met Jesus, his gospel is exceptional for the fact of it being written from a definite research historian's perspective. As such, his account is the most comprehensive, the longest, and most literary of the four evangelists. Indications are that he was not a Jew, but a Greek Christian convert, in which case he would also be the only Gentile contributor to the Bible canon. He was a close companion and traveled extensively with the Apostle Paul for bringing the message of salvation to Gentiles, even when Paul was imprisoned by the Romans.

Luke carefully placed Jesus within his time setting of world history. For example he identified the Roman Emperor and the Syrian governor at Jesus' birth (Lk 2:1-2) as well as relevant rulers when John the Baptist began his ministry (the emperor, Judean governor, minor Jewish kings, and the Jewish high priests--Luke 3:1-2). He provided more details (though scant) of Jesus' youth than the other gospel writers. Being a physician, he writes with the warmth and compassion of a family doctor, to which Paul while in prison fondly referred to him as "the beloved physician" (Col.4:14). As such, Luke's account gives more insight into these personal qualities and characteristics of Jesus and the other gospel writers. The parables in Luke emphasize the Jesus who came to find what was lost, and defends the plight of the poor, admonishing his followers to share what they have with the unfortunate and handicapped rather than the aristocrats who have their own means. Being himself a convert in Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, Luke is also the most focused on the commission for "all peoples" and "the Gentiles"; the commission that comes near to the end with its focus on bringing the good news to "all nations" (Lk 24:47) In his account of Jesus' ministry, we see growing belief and growing opposition developing concurrently.

Women in the book of Luke
As mentioned, Luke who was likely a Greek, educated, a doctor who never married, nevertheless placed women in higher regard than was commonly held in the Jewish tradition, and he portrays Jesus with that view. It is Luke who writes going back to the the angel's visits to Mary and Elizabeth to announce the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, and the temple prophetess Anna's testimony, and the genealogy of Christ through Mary (Gen. 5:1-32; 11:10-26; Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Chr.1:1-4, 24-27, 34; 2:1-15; Matt. 1:2-6). He reveals more about the women who traveled with Jesus and supported him in his ministry ( for examples, Joanna, Susanna, Mary Magdalene--Lk 8:1-3) and the story of Mary and Martha among others. Luke reveals women to be the last to leave the cross (Lk 23:55) and the first at the tomb (Lk 24:1), and Jesus' first appearance to a woman after His resurrection (Lk 24:5-8).

As we continue our lessons in the book of Luke, seeing Jesus and His disciples here in the final journey to His eventual fate in Jerusalem, we learn more from His parables about the reward for faithfulness and sacrifice in this life, and get a first glimpse of his teaching about His "second coming."

Synopsis

Luke chapter 16

16:1-13: Parable of the unjust servant (or the shrewd manager).
In this parable, Jesus commends a dishonest manager, not for his dishonesty, but for his provident foresight. The point of the story is not only to teach prudence with money, but rebuke for wrong use of it by the self-serving Pharisees.

16:14-17: Christ admonishes the Pharisees.

16:18: Christ's teaching on divorce.

16:19-31: Parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Taken in context, this parable is directed at the rich Pharisees who were scoffing at Jesus' teachings about the providential use of money, although its application extends to anyone about God's disdain for greed and indifference to the pain and suffering of others in unfortunate circumstances.

Luke chapter 17

17:1-10: Christ teaches about the seriousness of stumbling others by neglecting responsibility. To do what we should do is not something to be given commendation for doing.

17:11-19: Christ heals ten lepers. Of the ten, only the foreigner, a despised Samaritan, turned about to give praise to God.

17:20-37: Christ reveals about His second coming in the Kingdom of God, but first He must suffer greatly. The Kingdom will come at a time not expected. At a time when the world is preoccupied with business as usual, destruction will strike. The righteous will be sifted from the destruction.

Optional research:

• What evidence is there to the authenticity of Luke's writings and what evidence it was written prior to Jerusalem's destruction in 70 CE?
• What is the evidence for Luke's probable nationality?

Review questions:

• What are some of the unique characteristics of Luke in his writing?
• What other Bible book is Luke credited with writing?
• What was Luke's profession and how might this have influenced the tone of his writing?
• What are some things that make the book of Luke longer and more comprehensive than the other gospels.
• What was the lesson to be learned in Jesus' parable of the "shrewd manager"?
• Who was Jesus addressing with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus?
• To what did Jesus liken the consequence of stumbling others?
• What credit should we expect for doing what is expected of us?
• Which of the ten lepers that Jesus healed returned to praise God? Why was this significant?
• What did Jesus tell about His second coming in the Kingdom?
• What most impressed you in this lesson?

Optional discussion:

Did the Apostle Paul and Luke share the same view about women? Why?