Luke and John
As you have discovered, it is impossible to read the Gospels without being deeply impressed by the man Jesus—His words, His miracles, His unselfish love. You have seen how Matthew traced His ancestry and proved His right to claim the throne of David. You have seen how Mark
showed His life of active, dedicated service. You have also considered aspects of the special relationship that exists among the Synoptic Gospels, of which Matthew and Mark are two.
We will take a closer look at Luke, the third Synoptic Gospel, and John, the Gospel written by the disciple whom Jesus loved. These two Gospels are also distinctive. Luke appealed to the Gentile mind, John to the philosophical. Luke told about the earthly circumstances of Jesus’ birth; John portrayed Him as the eternal Word, the One who existed from the beginning.
Yet both Luke and John showed Jesus to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. They left no doubt that His main purpose was to provide salvation for everyone in the world. As you study the special insights they had into Jesus’ person and ministry, you will be inspired to worship and love Him more.
Luke: Gospel of the Savior
The Gospel of Luke was written by the man whom the apostle Paul called “our dear friend Luke, the doctor” (Colossians 4:14). Luke described his Gospel account as a record of “all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven” (Acts 1:1–2). As we examine the Gospel that bears Luke’s name, we will become better acquainted with the Savior whom he loved and served and about whom he so eloquently wrote.
Author
From the evidence given in the New Testament, we can conclude that Luke was a highly-educated Gentile. He was well-versed in the medical knowledge of his day. It is probable that he was a native of Antioch. He also wrote the book of Acts, in which he recorded the events surrounding the church’s formation and expansion. For this reason, the Gospel he wrote can be described more accurately as the first part of a two-volume history of Christianity’s beginnings (the second part being the book of Acts). He was a close friend of the apostle Paul and went with him on several of his missionary journeys, including the last one, which took Paul to Rome.
Emphasis
In writing his account of Jesus’ life, Luke emphasized its human, historical, and theological aspects. The humanity of Jesus is an important fact that Luke presented. Many Bible students have described the Gospel of Luke as the Gospel of Jesus’ manhood. Luke showed that Jesus was one of us and that He shared completely in the common experiences of human life.
Luke also stressed the historical nature of the life of Christ. He made a careful study of all the important facts so that he could write an accurate account (1:3). He referred to specific events that happened in Palestine at the same time Jesus was born (2:1, 3). He also named the rulers and the high priests who were in power when John the Baptist began his ministry (3:1–3). These details make it possible to relate Jesus’ life to a certain time in the region’s political history. They establish that Jesus was a historical person who carried out His mission amid the very real circumstances and turmoil of first-century Palestine.
Luke also highlighted certain theological aspects of Jesus’ ministry that had to do with His identity and the meaning of His work of salvation. For example, Luke recorded that Jesus often referred to himself as the “Son of Man.” This term was the name the prophet Daniel gave to the person he saw in a vision as described in Daniel 7:13–14. For Daniel, it meant that the one he saw looked like a man, a member of the human race.
By using the name “Son of Man,” Jesus identified himself with the person Daniel saw in his prophetic vision. But He did more than that. He said that as the Son of Man, He would suffer, die, and be resurrected (Luke 9:22). The disciples could not understand this statement (9:44–45). It showed that the Son of Man who would come in great power and glory would first be rejected.
Besides emphasizing Jesus’ identity as the Son of Man, Luke also stressed His work of salvation and His role as Redeemer. He recorded that Anna, the prophetess, spoke about the child Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (2:38). He told how the disciples on the road to Emmaus said they had expected Jesus to be the one who would redeem Israel (24:21).
The process of redemption was established by God and well-known among the Jews. It meant that something (or someone) that was sold could be bought back by a close relative or kinsman of the one who sold it. In this way, it could be restored to its original owner. (The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a beautiful illustration of this process.) A “redeemer” had to be a relative or kinsman of the one needing help.
Special Features
In addition to the aspects of Jesus’ life that Luke emphasized, there are many special features in his Gospel account. For example, it gives attention to the part played by certain groups of people such as women, children, and the poor. In addition, the words used and the details included show that the author was acquainted with the medical profession. Luke is the most literary of the Gospels; it contains several songs and poems and has rich vocabulary. Its pages also reveal an interest in the worldwide importance of the message of Christ and in the work of the Holy Spirit. All of these features give the Gospel of Luke a special character. Let us look at some examples of each one.
The Role of Women, Children, and the Poor
Luke often gave a fuller description than Mark or Matthew of the women and children who were involved in Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke also recorded several stories and parables that deal specifically with poverty and wealth; most of these do not appear in any of the other Gospels.
The parables about poverty and wealth that are unique to Luke include the striking one about the rich fool (12:13–34).
A Physician’s Perspective
Many Bible scholars have felt that Luke’s Gospel shows evidence of having been written by a physician. Luke’s account often shows more interest in the sick person than is shown in the accounts of Mark and Matthew. Note, for example, the fuller description Luke gave as compared to Mark of the malady or disease that Jesus healed in the following instances:
Mark 1:30 “in bed with a fever”
Luke 4:38 “suffering from a high fever”
Mark 1:40 “a man with leprosy”
Luke 5:12 “a men . . . covered with leprosy”
Mark 3:1 “a man with a shriveled hand”
Luke 6:6 “a man . . . whose right hand was shriveled”
Mark 14:47 A man’s ear was cut off.
Luke 22:50–51 Jesus healed the man whose ear was cut off.
Worldwide Focus
Luke’s Gospel shows that he wanted to make evident the worldwide importance of Jesus’ life and work. In his writings Jesus is revealed not only as a living figure of Jewish history, but also as the Savior of all humanity. Many times His miracles and teachings were directed toward people from Gentile nations. In the following exercise, you will read some of the passages that illustrate this truth. Several of them appear only in Luke’s Gospel account.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Among the three Synoptics, Luke has the most references to the work of the Holy Spirit. He showed how the Holy Spirit was involved in every aspect of the life of Christ. He also highlighted aspects of His ministry in the lives of other significant people.
Literary Beauty
Luke included four magnificent songs or poems in his Gospel account. These are the songs of Mary (1:46–55), Zechariah (1:67–79), the angels (2:13–14), and the prayer of Simeon (2:29– 32). Each one is a masterpiece of expression and praise. They give Luke’s book a special beauty. In addition, Luke’s literary ability is also seen in the way he wrote about the events of Jesus’ life and expressed the parables and teachings the Master gave. Notice, for example, the vivid descriptions of the lost son and his jealous brother (15:11–32) and of the pompous Pharisee and the sorrowful publican (18:9–14). Luke’s skillful recording of these teachings of Jesus makes the characters come alive for us.
Luke’s aptitude for narrating events is no less impressive. How profoundly moved and cheered we feel when we read his simple description of Jesus’ appearance to the downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus (24:13–32)! Truly, Luke was a literary artist, and we are the ones who benefit from his talent.
Content
The sequence of events in Luke follows the general pattern of that in Matthew and Mark. There is also a considerable amount of information that only Luke includes. Luke’s main goal was to present Jesus as the perfect man empowered by the Spirit and the Savior of all people; his Gospel is the only one among the Synoptics in which the specific title “Savior” is used for Jesus (2:11).
In reading Luke’s record of Jesus’ life, we see how He fulfilled the mission He announced. (See 4:18–19.) The Spirit of the Lord came upon Him; He preached good news to the poor, proclaimed freedom for the prisoners, gave recovery of sight to the blind, released the oppressed, and announced the year of the Lord’s favor. What a Savior!
John: Gospel of The Son of God
For many, the Gospel of John is the most beloved book of the Bible. It has unique spiritual depth and beauty; its message arrests the mind and challenges the heart in a powerful, compelling way. Written by the apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” it draws the reader into that intimate fellowship with the Master that was experienced by those who were nearest to Him. As we study the truths it presents, may our fellowship with Jesus become closer and richer as a result.
Author
Most Bible scholars agree that John was the author of the fourth Gospel. He was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Along with Peter and James, he was in the “inner circle” of the Lord’s closest associates (Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33). He was “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). James was his brother, and they both were the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21). He was an eyewitness of the events he recorded (John 1:14; 19:35; 21:24).
Emphasis
John himself clearly stated the purpose he had for writing his account of the life of Christ.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30–31)
Thus, John carefully selected his material with one specific goal: to lead people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. The material John chose emphasized Jesus’ works and words. Together, these form convincing evidence that Jesus was who He claimed to be. John also showed how people reacted to Christ; their responses illustrated his main theme of belief.
John gave attention to the works that Jesus did. The accounts of seven miracles are included in his Gospel. He called them signs, for together they demonstrated Jesus’ complete authority as the Son of God and pointed unmistakably to His deity.
In addition to these seven signs is the greatest sign of them all: Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (chapters 20 and 21). In the words of Paul the apostle, Jesus was “declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). This event was the crowning proof of His divine Sonship.
John also stressed the words of Jesus. Most of the discourses he recorded are those in which Jesus discussed aspects of His own person. Among these are the seven major “I am” passages:
1. “I am the bread of life.” …………………………………………..6:35
2. “I am the light of the world.” …………………………….8:12; 9:5
3. “Before Abraham was born, I am!” …………………………..8:58
4. “I am the good shepherd.” …………………………………….. 10:11
5. “I am the resurrection and the life.” ……………………….. 11:25
6. “I am the way and the truth and the life.” ………………….14:6
7. “I am the true vine” ………………………………………………..15:1
Many Bible scholars have seen these sayings as an expansion of Exodus 3:14, in which God told Moses that His name was “I am.” They not only assert the deity of Christ (see 8:58) but also show how He revealed the Father.
Besides these passages, John included many other important teachings such as those about the new birth (ch. 3), the living water (ch. 4), the authority of the Son (ch. 5), and the work of the Holy Spirit (ch. 7, 14–16). He also recorded Jesus’ prayer regarding himself and His disciples (ch. 17). This prayer illuminated even more of His nature, His oneness with the Father, and His ultimate plan for all those who would believe in Him.
Along with his emphasis on Jesus’ words and works, John highlighted the personal interviews Jesus had with certain people. He showed how Jesus challenged them to believe in Him. The encounters John described are vivid illustrations of the main theme of John’s Gospel—belief in Jesus Christ.
As one examines John’s record of Jesus’ words, works, and personal encounters, there can be no doubt why he wrote his testimony: to present the truth that belief in Jesus, the Son of God, is the only and essential key to life itself. (See John 3:36.)
Special Features
The Gospel of John has many special features. We will examine three of the most notable: its relationship to the Synoptics, its vocabulary, and its distinctive view of Christ.
Relationship to the Synoptics
In comparing the Gospel of John to the three Synoptics, one is struck by the contrast. With all the distinctions they have among themselves, the Synoptics are still much more like each other than any one of them is like John. For example, Jesus’ ministry in Galilee generally occupies the Synoptics, while the Lord’s ministry in Judea receives most of John’s attention. With the exception of the two miracles recorded in John 6:1–24 and the account of Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection, none of John’s content appears elsewhere.
Though these contrasts exist, there are some important links between John and the Synoptics. While most of John’s material is different from theirs, none of it contradicts what they give. Instead, it often supplements and provides the background for the events they describe. For example, from a study of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, one might conclude that Jesus’ ministry lasted somewhat over a year. But John mentioned three Passovers (and possibly four), feasts that occurred once a year. Thus, we know that Jesus’ ministry occupied at least three years. John’s information illuminates the synoptic view of Jesus’ life in other ways as well.
We have seen that John had a certain goal in mind when he wrote his account. It is possible that the three Synoptics were already in circulation among Christians at the time. If they were, however, he did not duplicate them. As the Holy Spirit directed him, he drew upon his extensive and rich experience as the disciple whom Jesus loved and presented his own unique perception of Him and His mission. Today, we benefit from the deep insights and truths God gave him to share with us.
Vocabulary
Certain terms are used much more frequently in the Gospel of John than in the Synoptics. Among these are the following: Abide and remain, believe, feast, Jew, light, live and life, love (both the noun and verb), truth and true, witness, and world. These terms have special significance and meaning. They need to be carefully studied, for they often provide the key to the thoughts John expressed.
Distinctive View of Christ
All of the Gospels presented Christ as the Son of God. But it was John, perhaps, who declared in the most plain language that Jesus was God and had always existed (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 17:5). John started the gospel story not from the beginning but in the beginning. For John, Bethlehem and the manger did not mark the origin of Christ’s existence, but the time when He became “flesh.”
The Gospel of John also revealed another truth about the person of Christ. John saw that He was the Word. Among the Gospel writers, John was the only one who used this term to refer to Jesus. As his readers understood it, the term “word” had several associations. In its ordinary use, it pointed to the means by which people communicate with each other. To the Jews, “the Word of God” was a familiar expression, found often in the Old Testament (see Psalm 33:6 for example). Some of them applied it to the Messiah who was to come. To the Greeks, it signified the manifestation of divine reason. John spoke to all these meanings when he boldly asserted that Jesus was the Word. In this way, he showed the Greeks as well as the Jews that Jesus was God communicating with humans, the full expression of His reason, will, and purpose given in a way that people could understand.
Content
As you read the Gospel of John, notice how the main theme of belief is followed throughout. Notice also how it describes the kind of relationship Jesus had with His Father. As you have already discovered, this Gospel is unique in many ways. In it, Jesus stands forth in His glory as the one and only Son of God (1:14), the one who offers eternal life to all who will believe in Him (3:16).
The Gospel of John shows the unique relationship Jesus had with the Father throughout His life on earth. When He was praying before Lazarus’ tomb, He looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41–42). What great confidence He had in His Father! And through Him, we can have a relationship with the Father, too. John tells us that those who receive Jesus and believe in His name have been given “the right to become children of God” (1:12). What a glorious privilege!