Reading for September 29th

 THE INAGURATION OF THE KINGDOM 

In 3.1-9.50: After the extended overture provided in the first two chapters, the body of the story now begins, from this point, close parallel with the Gospel according to Mark probably indicate Luke use of Mark as a source (see 1.1-2). Luke also shares smaller and larger blocks of material with Matthew, especially sayings (see Lk 66-7). This has suggested to scholars that both Luke and Matthew used a common sayings source, known as the "Q" document (the German word for "source" is Quelle). Luke's composition of this "orderly account" from these sources displays the literary art of Luke's witness to truth "truth" in which the reader has already been instructed (1.3-4) 

Read Luke 3.1-20: In 3.1-20: The voice in the wilderness. In verses 1-2: These verses establish a "synchronism" in the mode of ancient historians, fixing the date of something by multiple associations with other dates of public record. Tiberius ruled the Roman empire from about 14-37 CE, and Pontius Pilate enforced Roman rule in Judea. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, but ruled only as a minor tetrarch of Galilee in the north, although he asked the Romans to name him "king of the Jews" like his father (see 23.1-12). The Romans also controlled who was appointed to the high priesthood since this was the most powerful religious, cultural and financial role of the subjugated province (see 23.13-16). The word of God came to John in the midst of political realities as happened before with the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1.1-2). In verse 3: The baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is a cleansing ritual to return a purified people, restored in the land by God as ancient Israel was led through the Jordan (Josh 3; Lk 7.29; 20.4-8; Acts 13.24). In verses 4-6: Luke's story lacks details about John's hair shirt, leather girdle, and diet (Mk 1.5-6) but emphasizes his role in announcing the Isaiah prophecy of israel's return and restoration. In verses 7-9: A brood (Gk., offspring) of vipers depicts John's hearers as under judgment (see Gen 3.14), not as worthy heirs of the promises to Abraham (see Lk1.55). In verse 10: What then shall we do? is one of Luke's masterful questions emphasizing that repentance is more than a change of heart (see also vv. 12, 14; 10.25; 18.18; Acts 2.37; 16.30; 22.10). In verses 15-17: The Gospel according to John (Jn 1.19-34) is even more insistent that John disclaimed being the Messiah. The Holy Spirit and fire anticipates Pentecost, where the fire of judgment is again announced (Acts 2.1-4, 19). In verses 18-19: The Jewish historian Josephus also reports John's baptism and preaching of righteousness and that Herod Antipas put John to death (Ant. 18.116-119). Comments or Questions..