3 The Gospel of Luke: chapter 9
The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

The Journey to Jerusalem: Lk 9,51-19,44

In 9,51, Luke makes a formal statement which begins Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. This journey is an important feature of the Gospel, Jesus gives much of his teaching "on the way" (9,57). This teaching is either special to Luke or shared with Matthew, the so called Q source. But compare Luke 18,15-19,27 with Mark 10,1-52.

We can look at the various reminders provided about this journey during Jesus' travelling, sometimes in general, sometimes with a specific place mentioned, usually Jerusalem. Here are the references; it's useful to glance at them as it helps to give us the journey framework: 9, 51, 52.56.57; 10,38; 13.22.33; 17,11; 18,31.35; 19,1.11.28. Then look at 19,28-44 to see the ending of the journey. What happens in 19,45?

The importance of this journey is clear from its length. What do you think might be Luke's purpose in using a journey as the framework of so much of Jesus' teaching? (Think of the Acts of the Apostles.)

There is no readily discernable pattern about the overall organisation of the material in these chapters. Sometimes we can make connections between two or three successive stories, as we will see. For each episode, it is important that we are aware of the audience. Changes of audience (disciples, Pharisees, crowds...) will often be our best guide as we read.

Now have a look at my response.

The Journey begins: Lk 9,51-62

Note the new beginning in 10,1. These opening verses of the journey have a unity.

Read through 9,51-62. What units are here? What themes do you think are being raised? One has come up already. With one exception, this whole passage is unique to Luke.

9,51 is a formal statement with maybe an echo of 9,31. There is a strong sense of destiny - see also 24,26. Consider the similarity to 2 Kings 2,1. "Set his face" is an expression used by Ezekiel - see Ezk 21,7-8.

Messengers in 9,52: see Exodus 23,20.

Attitudes towards Samaritans in 9,52 can be seen in the Gospel of John (Jn 4,9). What is happening at the beginning of the journey?

Fire falling from heaven (9,54) - see 2 Kings 1,10.

Which two disciples are rebuked and why?

Compare 9,57-62 with 2 Kings 2,1-6. See also 1 Kings 19,19-21.

9,57-62 has some similarity to Matthew, Mt 8,18-22. What does a comparison indicate about Luke's interests?

The importance of burying the dead can be seen in Tobit 4,3-4.

For 9,61-62, look at 1 Kings 19,19-21 as the background.

What conclusions can we take from these verses?

Then go to my response.

The Sunday Gospel

Luke 9,51-62 is read on the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

The Old Testament reading chosen to accompany this Gospel comes from the first book of Kings (1 Kings 19,16.19-21). We have looked at this already as a background to our passage. It's useful now to read this passage in its context, preferably the whole of chapter 19.


We now continue the journey with an overview of chapter 10 and then a reading of the sending out of missionaries (10,1-24).