The Gospel of Luke is the third and last of the Synoptic Gospels. It is usually dated to 80-90 CE. Like the other Synoptic Gospels, it was written anonymously, but later tradition gives the name Luke to its author. Luke may have been a Hellenized Jew living outside of Palestine. More probably he was a Gentile Christian who was somewhat familiar with Jewish religion and tradition. Luke set out to write an historical work outlining the significance of Jesus. In his account of Jesus’ ministry, Luke is particularly concerned with social ethics, the poor, women and other oppressed groups in Palestine. Modern biblical scholarship understands that Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles (ca. 95 CE) as the second volume of a two-volume work.
My name is Ciarán O'Callaghan CSsR. Since 1990 I have been teaching the Bible to university students as well as to priests, religious and laity. This short course offers a brief introduction to the Gospel of Luke, paying particular attention to the Old Testament and Graeco-Roman images used in the Gospel along with an overview of its major theological themes. The course will also explore the Gospel’s connection between Jesus’ meals and the Eucharist. Four key “Eucharistic” texts will be studied: The Banquet at Levi’s House (Luke 5:27-39); Hospitality at the House of Martha (Luke 10:38-42); The Last Supper (Luke 22:14-38) and The Breaking of the Bread at Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). I am happy to make my class notes available for download and printing. Unfortunately, for copyright reasons, I cannot make the text and images available for copying. Please report any errors or problems in using these resources to me at: delegate@proclaim.ie.
Books
Eugene La Verdiere
Dining in the Kingdom of God: The Origins of the Eucharist in the Gospel of Luke
Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994
ISBN 1568540221
Preview this book
More books by Eugene LaVerdiere
Nathan Mitchell
Real Presence: The Work of the Eucharist
Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2000
ISBN 1568544073
Preview this book
More books by Nathan Mitchell
Francis J. Moloney
A Body Broken for a Broken People: Eucharist in the New Testament
Peabody: Harper Collins, 1997
ISBN 1565632583
Preview this book
More books by Francis J. Moloney
Mark Allan Powell
Fortress Introduction to the Gospels
Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998
ISBN 0800630750
Notes
Complete Notes Just click the icon for the complete set of notes which includes an introduction to Luke's Gospel along with a study of Jesus, meals and table-fellowship.
Websites
New Testament Gateway is the award winning web directory of internet resources on the New Testament.
Resource Pages for Biblical Studies is a website which focuses on the early Christian writings and their social world.