Expert: Marilyn - 1/11/2010

Question
What are the distinctive emphases of Luke`s gospel? I`ve struggled with this and find it really hard to narrow it down a few pointers would be of great help.

Cheers Kevin

Answer
Hello Kevin;

Compared to the other three gospels, Luke has a more human taste to it. Matthew seems to focus on Jesus' kingship; Mark seems very blunt and forceful, like a soldier; John seems dreamier and more spiritual.

Luke seems to focus more on the humanity of Jesus, he gives the longest account of Jesus birth and the events surrounding that--which is why the nativity story from Luke is a favorite to read aloud at Christmas. I think he's the only one who tells us anything about Jesus' childhood. He tells us more about Jesus' prayer life than the others. As a doctor he adds more details about Jesus' miracles than the others.

Luke emphasizes Jesus' compassion for hurting humanity: the brokenhearted, the sick, the mistreated and the grieving. Luke is the only one who tells us the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (15:3-32) and of Jesus sending out the seventy-two ministers. He tells us more about Jesus' relationship with women than the others.

In Luke we meet the very human and very God Jesus.

What do you think?

Marilyn