Read Barr, pp. 338-59 first. Then read the gospel using the following Reading Guide for Luke and the associated passages in Barr. Finally, return to Barr and read pp. 369-375.

Luke 1:1 - 4:25 

Luke 1:1-4 - Proem or Introduction of Luke. Compare this to Acts 1:1-5. What is the evidence in these passages that lead scholars to call Luke-Acts a single work in two volumes?

Luke 1:5-80 contains John the Baptist’s birth story and the announcement of Jesus’ birth. Note: this story appears only in Luke. What is John’s mission---see 1:14-17 and 1:68-80? Read also 3:3-20 and 16:16. Note the imprisonment of the Baptist in 3:19-20, absent at this point from Mark and Matthew. Luke has John shut up in prison before the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in 3:21. Luke also writes in 16:16: "The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed." Would you agree with Barr that Luke associates the birth and fates of John and Jesus, but carefully separates their missions? What might motivate such a picture?

Compare the birth story of Jesus in 2:1-52 to that in Matthew 1:18 - 2:23. What are the similarities and differences? How does Luke see Jesus? What do the birth stories reveal about his theology? What roles do the human characters and the angels play? Why might Luke locate Jesus in relation to a Roman time frame in 2:1f?

Jesus’ ministry begins in Luke 3:23. Why do you suppose Luke places his genealogy here (Matthew’s is at the beginning of his book)? Why does he trace Jesus’ ancestry back to Adam rather than Abraham? What are the theological implications?

Compare the baptism scene in Luke (3:20-23) to the baptism scene in Mark 1:9-11. Then compare Luke’s version of Jesus’ baptism with Acts 2:1-4 and 1:14. When does Jesus experience the divine voice in the accounts of Luke and Mark? What about the Jesus’ baptism in Luke foreshadows the story in Acts?

Trace the motifs of Temple, Holy Spirit, prayer and Gentiles throughout Luke 1:1-4:13.

Read the synagogue scene in 4:16-25. The parallel scenes in Mark 6:1-6 and Matthew 13:53-58 emphasizing the rejection of Jesus by "his own" are placed later in their gospels. They lack the scroll reading. What does Luke’s version do for the reader? How does it help him or her to understand who Jesus is and what he is about? Could it serve as a frontispiece for the whole gospel?

Overall, what kind of identification is made—what kind of image of Jesus is presented in Luke 1:1 - 4:25?

Luke 7:1 - 9:50 

As in Mt, the centurion’s faith exceeds that even in Israel (7:1-10). The Widow of Nain shows concern for a woman. What is the people’s reaction? What are the various reactions to Jesus’ words about John in vs. 29? What is the point of the woman with the ointment (7:36-50)? Who is it who knows forgiveness and has faith? Who does not? Compare this story to the anointing at Bethany in Mt 26:6-13 and Mk 14:3-9 absent at the equivalent place in Luke. Also, compare to Jn 12:1-8. Note the different audiences and characters. Luke has skillfully intercalated the parable of the two debtors. What is the significance of this story in Luke? Compare Lk 8:2f to 23:49, 55 and 24:10. Luke gives a prominent role to these women followers. What do these women do for Jesus according to Chapter 8: 1-3? Compare the portrait of "the Twelve" in Luke 8:22 - 9:50 to that of the disciples in the related passages in Mark and Matthew. The parallel passages are indicated in the annotations at the bottom of the page. Especially compare Lk 9:23-27 to Mark 8:34-9:1 and Matthew 16:24-28. How does the addition of the word "daily" change the injunction to take up the cross? 

Luke 9:51 - 19:27 

Luke 9:51: In 9:51 Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem. Luke begins an extended travel narrative here (ending at 18:14 or 19:27). There is a parallel travel narrative in Acts. Paul turns his face toward Rome and ends up preaching there "openly and unhindered."

Luke 10:25-41. Verses 25-28 seem to form an introduction for both the Good Samaritan and for the story of Mary and Martha. What Hebrew Bible command does the Good Samaritan illustrate (see verse 27)? Note how vs. 25-28 form an introduction for the good Samaritan and Mary, and Martha. What question does it answer (vs. 29)? Why would the parable be a shock to the audience? Might they have expected the third passerby to be a Jewish layperson? If that had been the case, what would the point of the parable have been? Why is it important that the third is a Samaritan? If you were to retell the story in a modern setting, where would it take place? Who would the characters be? Mary and Martha. This story illustrates Deut 6:5 (see Lk 10:27). It is representative of the Gospel’s concern for women. Which woman do you identify with in the story? Why? What is the one thing most needful? (Keep in mind 10:27) Read what Barr has to say about women in Luke-Acts on pp. 326-327.

Luke 15. There are three parables in this chapter which concern lost things. Who is Jesus speaking to? How does Luke link these parables together? What is the point of each parable?

Luke 16:16: "The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed." Again, consider the following question: Would you agree with Barr that Luke associates the birth and fates of John and Jesus, but carefully separates their missions? What might motivate such a picture?

Luke 17: 20-37. Compare Luke 17: 20-37 to Matthew 24: 26-28, 37-41. What is Luke’s understanding of the Kingdom of God and how does this compare to Matthew?

Luke 19:28 - 24:53 

In general compare Luke 19: 28-24:53 to Mark 11:1-16:8. What are the major ways Luke and Mark differ? What are the key similarities?

Luke 22:14-46. Compare Luke 22:24-27 to Mk 10:35-46, especially Lk 22:27 to Mk 10:45. Some scholars suggest that the cross for Luke is an act of service rather than a ransom for many. In Mark Jesus tells James and John he cannot promise the places to his right and left. What does Jesus promise the disciples in Lk 22:28-30? How does Luke soften the prediction of Peter’s denial in 22:31-34? How is Luke’s account of the prayer period in 22:39-46 different from Mt 26:36f and Mk 14:26f? How is Jesus portrayed in Luke? How are the disciples pictured?

Luke 23. Compare Lk 23:26-49 to Mk 15:21-41. List the similarities and differences. How would you describe the differing perspectives on the crucifixion?

Luke 24. Note the women tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. What is their reaction? See 24:11.

24:13-35. Is the reader led to identify with the disciples? How do they "know" Jesus (24:30, 35)? What might this indicate about how Lk’s readers may "know" the risen Lord?

24:36-43. What does this passage emphasize about the resurrected Jesus?