On Line Bible Study - For the week January 11 - 17, 2010
Lesson 422
Luke 3: 1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Scholar Darrell Bock points to the power of the opening verses of the chapter - somewhat reminiscent of the opening of Chapter 2 - that Luke wants to situate Jesus' ministry "in the midst of world history," and John's ministry "in the midst of Old Testament hope." We have a lot of material in this chapter that is unique to Luke's gospel. Matthew introduces John's ministry with the simple words: In those days ... In Mark, John simply "appears". Luke, on the other hand, gives us a litany of names telling us who is governor, tetrarch and high priest.
Is there any true "hope" apart from history? Isn't the Incarnation an indication that God intends to do the divine work in history, not separate from it or in some other world? Isn't it our history - that is, our everyday experience of injustice, grief, suffering - that is in need of redemption?
Luke 3: 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
Only Luke adds the language contained in verses 5 & 6 (Isaiah 40:4-5). In this gospel, John the baptist presents a message that is for "all mankind", thus paving the way for the good news to be brought to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Every valley is going to be filled in. Immediately after this, we read what John is teaching:
Luke 3: 7... "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance..."
As you look at this, what is missing? There is no mention of John's clothing, appearance or diet. (Contrast this with Matthew 3:4.) In Luke, John the baptist is more approachable. This becomes obvious in the response of the crowds to his teaching:
Luke 3: 10"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
Tax collectors and soldiers also engage John in conversation with regard to how they should respond to his message. In his commentary on Luke, Darrell Bock presents the various layers of taxes and collectors. It is, as he explains, a very complicated situation, with each layer of collection given free reign to charge whatever they wished in order to cover their expenses. Abuses were rampant, thus the disdain with which Jews held those who chose the profession. It is likely that there was a connection between the tax collectors and the "soldiers", with the latter offering protection to the former.
Next time we will consider John's response to the question: What should we do?
Is there any true "hope" apart from history? Isn't the Incarnation an indication that God intends to do the divine work in history, not separate from it or in some other world? Isn't it our history - that is, our everyday experience of injustice, grief, suffering - that is in need of redemption?
Luke 3: 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
Only Luke adds the language contained in verses 5 & 6 (Isaiah 40:4-5). In this gospel, John the baptist presents a message that is for "all mankind", thus paving the way for the good news to be brought to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Every valley is going to be filled in. Immediately after this, we read what John is teaching:
Luke 3: 7... "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance..."
As you look at this, what is missing? There is no mention of John's clothing, appearance or diet. (Contrast this with Matthew 3:4.) In Luke, John the baptist is more approachable. This becomes obvious in the response of the crowds to his teaching:
Luke 3: 10"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
Tax collectors and soldiers also engage John in conversation with regard to how they should respond to his message. In his commentary on Luke, Darrell Bock presents the various layers of taxes and collectors. It is, as he explains, a very complicated situation, with each layer of collection given free reign to charge whatever they wished in order to cover their expenses. Abuses were rampant, thus the disdain with which Jews held those who chose the profession. It is likely that there was a connection between the tax collectors and the "soldiers", with the latter offering protection to the former.
Next time we will consider John's response to the question: What should we do?
posted by Mark D at 12:52 PM
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