Kris Gholson

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Gospel According to Luke Bible Study

Chapter 1

Infancy Narrative

Questions / Notes

  1. (2) Luke has this on good authority … “from the beginning were eyewitnesses”. Based on the content in Chapter 1 it likely includes the Blessed Virgin Mary. Apostolic tradition.
  2. (5) “In the days of Herod” … this is not just a fable. Luke places this at a point in verifiable history.
  3. (5) “Zechariah” === “Yahweh has remembered” (Hebrew), “Elizabeth” === “My God’s oath” (Greek form of Hebrew name with that meaning)
  4. (8-9) Since most priests were honored to burn incense only once in their lifetime, this was the crowning moment of Zechariah’s ministry.
  5. (18) Zechariah doubts Gabriel.
  6. (26-38) Gabriel foretold the Messiah’s coming in the OT and now delivers the message about John and Jesus’ coming in the NT. Dan 9:21-27
  7. (28) Nowhere else in the Bible does an angel address a person with a title … “Hail, full of grace”.
  8. (31) Jesus === “Yahweh saves” (Hebrew)
  9. (32-33) Jesus is the Messiah that has long been foretold. 2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps 89:26-29, Ps 132:11, Is 9:6-7 Following Jewish custom, Joseph’s legal fatherhood was equivalent to natural fatherhood in matters of inheritance. Thus, Joseph (and likely Mary too) makes Jesus a Davidic descendant.
  10. (34) Mary (unlike Zechariah) is not doubting Gabriel, but is asking HOW the plan will unfold since she has made a vow of virginity (“how will this be, since I do not know man”). Her question makes NO sense if she had not already taken a vow of virginity; she knows where babies (usually) come from.
  11. (35) The Trinity is referenced here … “Holy Spirit” … “power of the Most High” … “the Son of God”. “overshadow you” - this is similar language to how Yahweh overshadowed the Temple in Ex 40:35
  12. (38) Mary’s fiat - her “yes” to God. She ALWAYS does the will of God and leads us to it when we honor her and look to her example.
  13. (39-56) The “Visitation” of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Luke is communicating to us that Mary is the NEW Ark of the Covenant. Mary, Ark of the Covenant, Rev 11:19-12:2
  14. (46-55) The Magnificat. Resembles the Song of Hannah in 1 Sam 2:1-10. Other OT passages that illumine the background: Ps 89:10, Ps 89:13, Ps 98:3, Ps 111:9, Sir 33:12, Hab 3:18
  15. (63) Zechariah no longer doubts but rejoices. Faithful to the message of Gabriel, he names his son “John”.
  16. (68-79) The Benedictus. Praises God for his faithfulness to Israel and his careful orchestration of salvation history. (1) establish David’s throne forever 2 Sam 7:12-16, Ps 89:1-4, Ps 89:26-37 and (2) bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants Gen 22:16-18

Primary Resources

Secondary Resources

The Bible in a Year Podcast (Fr. Mike)

Logical Daily Gospel Exegesis (Hayden)