The bull of St Luke

The Gospel of Luke

Chapter 18: Overview

The beginning of the chapter we read with chapter 17 because there is the conclusion at 18,8.
At the end of the chapter, we have the first Jericho incident. A second follows in chapter 19 so that Jesus is in the village from 18,35-19,10. As we will see, it is best to read the two episodes together in chapter 19.

In the middle of the chapter, we begin with a second parable, 18,9-14, which is unique to Luke. Here Jesus is speaking to a notably specfic audience.

Then at 18,15 with the little children being brought to Jesus, Luke rejoins Mark's sequence of events, from Mk 10,13 onwards. The lengthy teaching journey of Jesus is drawing to its close.
The question asked by the rich ruler follows. From 18,15-30, the kingdom of God is mentioned five times, no less. This is the theme therefore which binds these verses together.

Jesus follows this by predicting his fate for the third time, 18,31-34. As it is addressed to the tweleve, we can read this as a follow up to Jesus' saying to the disciples in 18,29-30.
Luke omits the exchange in Mark concerning the ambition of James and John (Mk 10,35-45). Luke is generally kinder to the disciples than Mark.

18,34 is unique to Luke and acts as a major conclusion. We will need to investigate just what it is concluding.

This is followed by verse 35 where Luke has edited Mark 10,46 so that it clearly opens a new section. Furthermore, it takes place in a specific place, Jericho.
As Jesus enters Jericho he heals a blind beggar, 18,35-43; this is told also by both Matthew and Mark (Mk 10,43-52). Then in the next chapter but still in Jericho, there is the encounter with Zacchaeus which is unique to Luke. The two encounters look like a pairing typical of Luke: a poor man with one who is rich. Together they are best read with chapter 19 and the arrival in Jerusalem.

Reading Plan

Having thus topped and tailed the chapter, we are left with just two pages for our reading of this chapter:

We can now return to the main page and continue with our reading.