The Gospel of Luke
Accepting the Kingdom of God Lk 18,15-34
Overview
It is important that we see this chapter unfolding rather than keeping its parts too separate. We have already noted how the two parables in the first part of this chapter are linked though given to different audiences.
Now we can see that the teaching about the children in 18,15-17 provides a foil to the preceeding parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, 18,9-14. In one sense it brings that episode to its conclusion.
At the same time, the teaching about the children looks forward, especially with the references about the kingdom of God in verses 16 and 17 being picked up in the third part in verses 24,25,30. This theme binds the whole together. We can note also that in the first and third parts of this passage, Jesus is speaking to the disciples.
The second part is an encounter with a ruler, 18,18-23, though the disciples would have overheard what was being said. This second part is joined to the third part because there is a bracket around them with the reference to "eternal life" in verses 18 and 30.
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Reading
In verse 15, Luke speaks of infants rather than children; this would highlight their vulnerability. Luke as usual is kinder to the disciples than Mark so he removes Mark's comment about Jesus being indignant with them. He has also taken out Mark's comment about Jesus blessing the children. In light of the comments I made above, this gives the children episode a clearer place as a transition story.
The next change Luke makes is in following story which concerns a ruler. The story is often known as the rich young man which comes from Matthew (Mt 19,22). Mark says nothing about his age (Mk 10,22). Luke makes a bigger change with by speaking of a ruler.
Looking back to the lawyer who asked about his neighbour in 10,25, the lawyer thee correctly answered Jesus that to inherit eternal life he must love God and neighbour (10,27). That then develops into the question of just who is my neighbour and the story of the Good Samaritan.
Here, in reply to the ruler, Jesus quotes those of the ten commandments which speak of relations with the neighbour. The New Testament does not quote those commandments which speak of relations with God because there is now a new relation with God in Jesus his Son. St Paul writing to the Romans neatly brings together the two comments about neighbour in Luke.
It is typical of Luke to add "all" to the possessions in verse 22, that would be consistent with his rich and poor reversal (the rich man and Lazarus, for example). Jesus turns upside down the values of an age where possessions where a sign of being blessed by God. This is a demanding reply by Jesus because it is addressed to the man. The reply to the disciples is yet to come.
The man now becomes sad but unlike Mark's man he stays around. So in verse 24 Jesus is looking at him although his reply is now spoken to the disciples. We could say the ruler now becomes a teaching aid for them.
Most commentators prefer the full force of Jesus' image in verse 25: a very large animal and a very small hole.
Thus the astonished response of Peter on behalf of the disciples in verse 28 is a reminder that all is possible for God.
Peter then concludes by saying he has done what Jesus required in verse 22. There Jesus spoke about treasure in heaven, now he spells out what that means.
Jesus' demands therefore are total but so too will the reward of eternal life in verse 30.
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Handed over to the Gentiles Lk 18,31-34
It is notable that this third prediction is the fullest account of the fate of Jesus. It is also notable that it is made clear that Jesus is being handed over to the Gentiles, the Roman occupiers. Luke has added the note of the disciples' failure to understand in verse 34 as he did in 9,45. This sort of comment is more typical of Mark than Luke. It is best taken as preparing for chapter 24, the resurrection chapter, when all will be revealed.
The first two predictions came close to the beginning of the journey. Now the third comes right at the end and gives us an indication of where the story is going. Before Jesus actually arrives in Jerusalem, Luke tells two encounters with Jesus which take place in Jericho.
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