St. Paul’s Studies the New Testament: Evolution of the Word
Gospel of Luke – Chapters 10-18
 The author of the Gospel of Luke is considered to be a Greek, a Gentile, the only Gentile writer of scripture,
and a second-generation Christian. Luke is the longest of the four gospels. It is written for Gentiles new to the
Christian faith throughout the Roman Empire.
 The middle section of Luke is rich with parables that illustrate new kinds of social relationships. These simple
stories provide moral or spiritual truths related to such matters as the marginalized of society, the value of
wealth and possessions, the importance of prayer, and the possibilities of conversion.
 The stories come out of the everyday life experiences of Jesus and those who heard him speak. Then and now,
those who “have eyes to see and ears to hear” the messages of the stories come to understand the value of
changed attitudes and behavior and the adoption of a different way of seeing God and the world.
 For Luke, to be a disciple one has to let go of everything—not just money and other external idols, but inner
idols and ego concerns as well.. “The first will be last and the last will be first” (Luke 13:30). Luke shows that
what impresses people does not impress God, that people who think they are at the top are often, in God’s
eyes, at the bottom; and that people who think they are at the bottom are, in God’s eyes, often at the top.
 Eleven of the parables in Luke are found only in Luke. What does each of these gospels say about people?
Jesus? God? And you?
o [Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43)]
o Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
o Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10)
o Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
o Barren Fig-tree (Luke 13:6-9)
o Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
o Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)
o Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-9)
o Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
o Widow and Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8)
o Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
 Considerations
 Re-tell any of the parables in modern lingo. Who today might play the various roles in the story? Do you see
yourself in any of the stories?
 What details do you wish had been included in a particular parable?
 How does Luke characterize the Jewish leaders and the Jewish people in general? In what ways is Luke
resentful? Angry? Cynical? Compassionate?
 What does Luke’s gospel say about wealth? Offer a "Lukan interpretation" of the Markets or Business sections
of the Wall Street Journal or New York Times?
 Is the arrival of God's kingdom expected soon, in the far or near future, or is it already a reality in the
present? What is supposed to happen when Jesus returns?
 Why do you think some people refer to Luke Chapter 15 as ‘the gospel within the gospel’?
 A modern poet observes, “Parables are imaginary gardens with real toads in them. They create an imaginary
world that reflects reality.” Explain this observation.