Unique Features of Luke
1. Birth narrative: Comparison to Matthew
|
Luke |
Matthew |
| Travel: Nazareth to Judea and back | Travel: Born in Bethlem; flight to Egypt, then move to Nazareth |
| Shepherds | Magi |
| Jesus born in a manger | Jesus born at home |
| Gabriel announces birth to Mary | Angel speaks to Joseph in a dream |
| Rulers: Caesar Augustus and Herod, Quirinius, governor of Syria | Rulers: Herod |
| Jesus is savior, Christ the Lord | Jesus is King of the Jews |
| Joseph is betrothed to Mary | Joseph is Mary's husband |
| Mary is related to Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother | John's parents not mentioned |
| Jesus as a child | From birth, switches to adulthood |
| Jesus and his parents are observant Jews, often in the Temple | |
| Jesus born of a divine-mortal union (Roman) | Birth fulfills scripture (Hebrew) |
| Gospel begins and ends in the Temple | Temple less prominent |
| Genealogy: back to Adam: Joseph related through Nathan | Genealogy: back to Abraham: Joseph related to Solomon |
2. The Prominence of Women in Luke's narrative: pairing women's stories with men's
|
Men |
Women |
| Centurion's Servant: 7:2-10 | Widow of Nain: 7:11-17 |
| Good Samaritan: 10:29-37 | Mary and Martha: 10:38-42 |
| Man with the lost sheep: 15:3-7 | Woman with the lost coin: 15:8-10 |
| Man with Dropsy: 14:2-6 | Crippled woman: 13:10-16 |
| Pharisee and the tax collector: 18: 9-14 | Widow and the unjust judge: 18: 1-8 |
3. Companionship in Luke: examples
Elizabeth and Zechariah
Mary and Joseph
Anna and Simeon
Herod and Herodias
Mary and Martha
James and John