The Established Facts of the Gospel

Curtis Vaughan  |  Southwestern Journal of Theology Vol. 10 - Fall 1967

An Outline of Luke

These verses, which constitute a historical introduction to Luke’s Gospel, suggest a number of things that are of special interest:

(1) Luke was not the first to write a narrative of the words and works of Jesus.

(2) Luke had special qualifications for writing this Gospel. He had traced all things accurately from the beginning.

(3) Luke’s plan was to write a narrative “in order”.

(4) Luke’s purpose was to give Theophilus certainty concerning the things wherein he had been instructed.

I. The Dawn of the New Age (1:5-4:13)
This section may be developed around three notes of time found in it:

  1. “In the days of Herod” (1:5-2:40)
    1. The announcement of the birth of John the Baptist (1:5-25)
      Three scenes:

      1. The home (5-7)
      2. The temple (8-22)
        In announcing the birth of John, Gabriel made five startling revelations to Zacharias:

        1. Zacharias and Elizabeth, in spite of their advanced ages, were to have a child (13).
        2. The child’s birth was to be the occasion of great joy (14).
        3. The child was to become a great man of God, living an austere and disciplined life (15).
        4. The child was to be the forerunner of the Messiah (17).
        5. He was to be the means of a great moral and spiritual awakening (16, 17).
      3. The home (23-25)
    2. The announcement of the birth of Jesus (1:26-56)
      1. Mary (26-27)
      2. Mary and the angel (28-38)
        1. The angel’s greeting (28-29)
        2. The angel’s announcement (30-33) The angel spoke of the greatness of Mary’s son (32a), his deity (32b), his messiahship (32c), and the nature of his rule (33).
        3. The angel’s explanation (34-38)
          1. He made clear that he was speaking of a miraculous conception (35).
          2. He called attention to Elizabeth’s experience (36).
          3. He assured Mary that God’s word would be performed (37).
      3. Mary and Elizabeth (39-56)
        1. Elizabeth’s reaction to Mary’s visit (39- 45)
        2. Mary’s song (46-50)
          1. She praised God for the extraordinary favor he had shown her (46-50).
          2. She praised God for resisting the proud, etc., and for aiding the poor and lowly (51-53).
          3. She praised God for fulfilling his promises (54-55).
        3. Mary’s return to her home (56)
    3. The birth of John (1:57-80)
      1. The joy of the neighbors and relatives (57-58)
      2. The circumcision of the child (59-66)
      3. The prophecy of Zacharias (67-79)
        1. He praised God for the Messiah and the blessings he brings (68-75). The coming of the Messiah is spoken of as a divine visit, a working of redemption, and the raising up of a horn of salvation.
        2. He prophecied of the forerunner and the role he was to have in the work of redemption (76-79).
      4. A summary of John’s development and growth (80)
    4. The birth of Jesus (2:1-40)
      1. The time and place (1-7)
      2. The angelic announcement (8-14)
      3. The visit of the shepherds (15-20)
      4. The circumcision and naming (21)
      5. The presentation in the temple (22-40)
        1. The ceremony (22-24)
        2. The words of Simeon (25-35)
          1. Blessed God for permitting him to see the Messiah (28-30)
          2. Spoke prophetically of the Messiah’s mission (31-33)
          3. Spoke of the reception the Messiah was to have (34-35)
        3. The response of Anna (36-38)
        4. The return to Nazareth (39)
        5. A summary statement (40)
  2. When Jesus “was twelve years old” (2:41-52)
    1. The visit to Jerusalem (41-51)
    2. Summary of Jesus’ growth to manhood (52)
      Two things are stressed:

      1. Jesus’ submission to his parents (51)
      2. Jesus’ perfect development (52)
  3. “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius” (3:1- 4:13)
    1. The ministry of John (3:1-20)
      1. The time of his appearance (1-2)
      2. The nature of his work (3-7a)
        1. It was a work of preaching (3).
        2. It was in fulfillment of O. T. prophecy, and thus part of a divine plan (4a).
        3. It was preparatory (4b-6).
        4. It produced a great awakening (7a).
      3. The content of his message (7b-17)
        1. Repentance (7b-9)
        2. The fruits of repentance (10-14)
        3. The coming of the Messiah (15-17)
      4. The response of the people (10-20)
        1. The multitudes (10-11)
        2. The publicans (12-13)
        3. The soldiers (14)
        4. Herod (18-20)
    2. The baptism of Jesus (3:21-22)
    3. The genealogy of Jesus (3:23-38)
    4. The temptation of Jesus (4: 1-13)
      1. The circumstances (1-2)
      2. The three climactic temptations (3-13)

II. The ministry of the Son of Man (4:14-22:38)

  1. The ministry in Galilee (4: 14-9: 50)
    It is not easy to discern the plan of this section of Luke. It appears to be a continuous account without any distinct breaks. Godet (followed by others) finds the principle of division in the association of the disciples with Jesus. Using this as a basis of division, the Galilean ministry may be seen as made up of four cycles or periods.

    1. The first period of the Galilean ministry (4:14-44) This period was one in which Jesus appears not to have had any disciples who attended his ministry regularly and continually. The period closes just before the call of the first disciples.
      1. A summary statement of the work in Galilee (14-15)
        Three things characterized this stage of Christ’s work:

        1. The power of the Spirit (14a)
        2. The spread of Christ’s fame (14b)
        3. Christ’s use of the Jewish synagogues (15)
      2. The visit to Nazareth (16-30)
        1. The ministry of Jesus (16-27)
          1. Reading the scriptures (16-19)
          2. Proclaiming the fulfillment (20-22)
          3. Rebuking the unbelief of the people (23-27)
        2. The reaction of the people (28-30)
      3. The ministry at Capernaum (31-43)
        1. In the synagogue (31-37)
        2. In Simon’s house (38-41)
        3. In a desert place (42-43)
      4. A summary statement (44)
    2. The second period of the Galilean ministry (5:1-6:11)
      This section begins with the call of the first disciples; it closes just before the appointment of the twelve apostles. Incidents are recorded which reveal Jesus’ power and authority, the nature of his mission, and the opposition of the religious leaders of the nation.

      1. The call of the first disciples and the miraculous draught of fish (5:1-11)
      2. The cleansing of a leper (5:12-16)
      3. Controversies with the religious leaders (5:17-6:11)
        The religious leaders are here seen challenging Jesus at four points:

        1. His right to forgive sins (5:17-26)
        2. His association with sinners (5:27-32)
        3. His attitude toward fasting (5:33-39)
        4. His observance of the Sabbath (6: 1-11)
          There were two occasions for this:

          1. The plucking of grain on the Sabbath (1-5)
          2. The healing of a man with a withered hand (6-11)
    3. The third period of the Galilean ministry (6:12-8:56)
      This phase of the Galilean ministry begins with the appointment of the twelve apostles and closes just before they are sent out on their first mission. In this period there are further evidences of Christ’s power and compassion and of the growing intensity of his opposition.

      1. The appointment of the twelve apostles (6:12-16)
      2. The “Sermon on the Plain” (6:17-49)
        1. The setting (17-19)
        2. The sermon (20-49)
          1. The people of the kingdom (20-26)
          2. The law of the kingdom (27-45)
          3. The basis of participation in the kingdom (46-49)
      3. Works of power and compassion (7:1-17 )
        1. Healing of the centurion’s servant (1-10)
        2. Raising of the widow’s son (11-17)
      4. Discourses (7:18-50)
        1. Concerning John the Baptist (18-35)
          1. John’s question (18-20)
          2. Jesus’ response to the messengers (21-23)
          3. Jesus’ address to the multitudes (24-35)
        2. Concerning forgiveness and gratitude (36- 50)
          1. The setting of the narrative (36)
          2. The principal characters (36-40)
          3. The lesson (41-50)
      5. Itinerant ministry (8:1-56)
        1. The support of Jesus’ ministry (1-3)
        2. Parabolic teaching (4-18)
        3. The visit of Jesus’ mother and brothers (19-21)
        4. Works of power (22-56)
          1. Stilling the storm (22-25)
          2. Delivering the Gerasene demoniac (26-39)
          3. Healing the woman with an issue of blood (43-48)
          4. Raising the daughter of Jairus (40-42; 49-56)
    4. The fourth period of the Galilean ministry
      This phase of the Galilean ministry begins with the first mission of the twelve and ends just before the departure of Jesus for Jerusalem.

      1. The mission of the twelve (1-9)
        1. The purpose of the mission (1-2)
        2. The instructions for the mission (3-6)
        3. The results of the mission (7-9)
      2. The feeding of the five thousand (10-17)
      3. The great confession (18-27)
        Three significant lessons were given in connection with this event. These concerned:

        1. The person of Christ (18-20)
        2. The mission of Christ (21-22)
        3. The cost of discipleship (23-27)
      4. The transfiguration (28-36)
        1. The setting (28-29)
        2. The incident (30-36)
      5. Deliverance of the demon-possessed boy (37-43a)
      6. A second lesson on the death of Jesus (43b-45)
      7. Lessons on humility and tolerance (46-50)
        1. Humility (46-48)
        2. Tolerance (49-50)
  2. The ministry on the way to Jerusalem (9:15-19:28) Scholars disagree as to whether this section of Luke describes one journey or several. The latter is probably correct. We call it “the ministry on the way to Jerusalem” because throughout this section Jesus is portrayed as moving toward the city where he was to meet death (cf. 9:51; 13:22; 17:11; 19:28). In this part of the Gospel Jesus is seen as the great Teacher. Some of the material appears to be arranged topically rather than chronologically. Many of the things recorded here are not found in the other Gospels.
    1. The first stage of the “journey” to Jerusalem (9:51-13:21)
      Some interpreters think the journey referred to in 9:51was Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem; thus they see Luke’s record here as parallel to Matthew 19: 1ff and Mark 10:1ff. Others understand Luke 9:51 to refer to the journey of Jesus to the Feast of Tabernacles mentioned in John 7:10.

      1. The encounter with the Samaritans (9:51-56)
      2. A lesson on discipleship (9:57-62)
      3. The mission of the Seventy (10:1-24)
        1. Instructions to the missionaries (2-12)
        2. A warning to the cities of Galilee (13-16)
        3. The return of the Seventy (17-24)
          1. Their report (17)
          2. Jesus’ reaction (18-24)
            1. An explanation (18-20)
            2. A prayer of gratitude (21-22)
            3. A pronouncement of blessing (23-24)
        4. The parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37)
          1. The occasion (25-29)
          2. The parable (30-37)
        5. The visit in the home of Mary and Martha (10:38-42)
        6. A lesson on prayer (11:1-13)
          1. The occasion for it (1)
          2. The substance of it (2-13)
            1. A model prayer (2-4)
            2. A parable of prayer (5-13)
        7. Encounters with the religious leaders of the Jews (11:14-54)
          1. In a public place (14-36)
            1. The charge that Jesus was in league with Beelzebub (14-28)
              1. The accusation (14-15)
              2. Jesus’ answer (17-26)
              3. Effect of Jesus’ answer (27-28)
            2. The demand for a sign (16, 29-36)
          2. In the house of a Pharisee (37-52)
          3. Outside the Pharisee’s house (53-54)
        8. A series of discourses (12: 1-13:9)
          All of Chapter 12 was spoken on one occasion; 13:1-9 was perhaps spoken on the same occasion. If so, this section represents one discourse interrupted from time to time by various responses from the audience. Part of this material was addressed to the disciples, part to the multitudes.

          1. Teaching against hypocrisy and pretense (12: 1-12)
          2. Teaching against covetousness (12: 13-21)
          3. Teaching against anxiety (12:22-32)
          4. Teaching on the need for almsgiving (12:33-34)
          5. Teaching on the need for watchfulness (12:35-48)
          6. Teaching on the divisive effect of Christ’s work (12:49-53)
          7. Teaching on the urgency of reconciliation (12:54-59)
          8. Teaching on the need for repentance (13:1-9)
        9. The healing of the crippled woman (13:10-17)
        10. Parabolic teaching (13: 18-21)
          1. Parable of the mustard seed (18-19)
          2. Parable of the leaven (20-21)
    2. The second stage of the “journey” to Jerusalem (13:22-17: 10)
      It is felt by many that this section describes a ministry of Jesus in Perea (cf. Robertson’s Harmony).

      1. A warning on the danger of exclusion from the kingdom (13:22-30)
      2. A lament over the doom of Jerusalem (13:31- 35)
      3. A visit to a Pharisee’s house (14: 1-24)
        1. A miracle of healing (1-6)
        2. A lesson on humility (7-11)
        3. A lesson on unselfish hospitality (12-14)
        4. Parable of the great banquet (15-24)
      4. Conditions of discipleship (14:25-35)
        1. To give Christ our deepest devotion (26)
        2. To live a crucified life (27)
        3. To put all we have and are at Christ’s disposal (33)
      5. A series of parables (15:1-16:31)
        1. Parables on the seeking love of God (15:1- 32)
          1. The occasion (1-2)
          2. The parables (3-32)
            1. The lost sheep (3-7)
            2. The lost coin (8-10)
            3. The lost son (11-32)
        2. Parables on the use of wealth (16:1-31)
          1. Parable of the unjust (prudent) steward (1-13)
          2. Parable of the rich man and Lazarus (14-31)
            1. Occasion for the parable (14- 18)
            2. The parable (19-31)
      6. Instructions for the disciples (17: 1-10)
        1. Concerning offences (1-2 )
        2. Concerning forgiveness (3-4)
        3. Concerning faith (5-6)
        4. Concerning service (7-10)
    3. The third stage of the “journey” (17: 11-19:28)
      1. The healing of the ten lepers (17: 11-19)
      2. Teachings concerning the kingdom (17:20-37)
        1. The inauguration of the kingdom (20-21)
        2. The coming glory of the kingdom (22-37)
      3. Parables about prayer (18: 1-14)
        1. Parable of the unrighteous judge (1-8)
        2. Parable of the publican and the Pharisee (9-14)
      4. Jesus and the little children (18:15-17)
      5. Jesus and the rich young ruler (18:18-30)
      6. Another prediction of Jesus’ death (18:31-34) (For other predictions of Christ’s death see 9:22, 44; 13:33; and 17:25.)
      7. Events at Jericho (18:35-19:28)
        1. The healing of a blind man (18:35-42)
        2. The conversion of Zacchaeus (19:1-10)
        3. The parable of the pounds (19:11-28)
  3. The closing ministry in Jerusalem (19:29-21:38)
    1. The royal entry (19:29-44)
      1. The preparation (29-35)
      2. The procession (36-40)
      3. The lamentation (41-44)
    2. The ministry in the temple (19:45-21:4)
      1. The cleansing of the temple (19:45-46)
      2. The controversy in the temple (19:47-20:44)
        1. Summary statement (19:47-48)
        2. Controversy concerning the source of Jesus’ authority (20:1-18)
        3. Controversy concerning tribute to Caesar (20:19-26)
        4. Controversy concerning the resurrection of the dead (20:27-44)
        5. Controversy concerning the person of the Messiah (20:41-44)
      3. A warning to the scribes and Pharisees (20:45-47)
      4. The commendation of the widow’s giving (21:1-4)
    3. The Olivet discourse (21:5-36)
      1. The occasion for the discourse (5-7)
      2. The substance of the discourse (8-36)
        1. A warning against being led astray (8-9)
        2. Conditions that will characterize the age (or perhaps the period up to the destruction of Jerusalem) (10-19)
          1. Conditions in the world (10-11)
          2. Things that will happen to Christians (12-19)
        3. The destruction of Jerusalem (20-24)
        4. The end of the age (25-28)
        5. A final warning to the disciples (29-36)
    4. Summary statement (21:37-38)

III. The Tragedy and Triumph of Calvary (22:1-24:53)

  1. The treachery of Judas (22: 1-6)
  2. The preparation for the Passover (22:7-13)
  3. The upper room (22: 14-38)
    1. The observance of the Passover (14-18)
    2. The institution of the Lord’s Supper (19-23)
    3. The argument about greatness (24-30)
    4. The prediction of Peter’s denials (31-34)
    5. Final instructions about perils to come (35-38)
  4. The agony in Gethsemane (22:39-46)
  5. The arrest (22:47-54)
  6. Peter’s denials (22:55-62)
  7. The trials of Jesus (22:63-23:25)
    1. Before the Council (22:63-71)
    2. Before Pilate (23:1-7)
    3. Before Herod (23:8-12)
    4. Before Pilate a second time (23:13-25)
  8. The crucifixion (23:26-49)
  9. The burial (23: 50-56)
  10. The empty tomb (24:1-12)
  11. The appearance (24:13-49)
  12. The ascension (24:50-53)

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