On Line Bible Study - For the Week July 22-28, 213

Lesson 568

As we point to what is distinctive between Mark/Matthew, Luke and John in their telling of the Passion story, it might be helpful to turn to the Gospel Parallels.  Scroll down on the third column - Luke - to "Jesus in Gethsemane" (Luke 22:40), then click on the red, blue and purple bibles next to the heading.  This will bring the other gospels in line with Luke.

Luke gives us much less information regarding Jesus' struggle in the garden than do Mark and Matthew.  If you do go to the link provided, you will notice it omits Luke 22:43-44.  Look in your own Bible and you may find a note indicating that these verses are missing from the early manuscripts.  With or without these verses, Luke makes less of Jesus suffering in the garden and more of God's angels providing him strength (if the verses are included).  Note that Jesus' final words on the cross in Luke are not words of abandonment as in Mark and Matthew; rather, Jesus commits his spirit into the hands of his Father.

Jesus is more gentle with his disciples in Luke.  Note, for example, Luke 22:  28  You are those who have continued with me in my trials; 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Jesus' prayer for Peter is also specific to Luke's Gospel: Luke 22:.31 " Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren."

Forgiveness is central to Luke's understanding of the Passion.  Note these words of Jesus, found only in Luke 22: 34"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Remember the story in Acts, also written by Luke, where Stephen is killed?  Here is what is recorded: Acts 7: ⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  

Stephen's words are an echo of Jesus' words.  Luke's Passion theology is his theology for us all - radical forgiveness, and absolute and complete trust in God.

Only in the Gospel of Luke does Jesus come before Herod.

And only in Luke does Jesus engage the "daughters of Jerusalem", indicating to them the news of pending suffering for all.  For Luke, Jesus is prophet, martyr, forgiver, always trusting completely in God.  What Jesus was he calls his followers to be willing to become.