The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Jesus in Jericho: Lk 18,35-19,10

The Blind Beggar: 18,35-43

We have noted that Jesus in this Gospel has a second encounter in Jericho, unlike Mark and Matthew (whose version is different in other ways). Have a look forward into chapters 20-21 and see if you can spot what is especially important about these two encounters with Jesus.

It's notable that the blind beggar is named in Mark's account but he is not named by Luke. Then in the second story the tax collector is given a name by Luke. Names for those who make minor appearances in the Gospels are unusual. Can you suggest any reason for Mark and Luke naming these two characters?

Now compare the story of the blind man in Luke with the story of Bartimaeus in Mark (Mk 10,46-52). How has Luke adapted the story for his purposes? What has he kept from the original story? How do the conclusions differ?

The ministry to the blind has been announced earlier in the story, see 4,18 and 7,22. Recall too those invited to the banquet: 14,13,21.

As we have noted, the blind man asks what is happening. Note how Luke has altered Mark (Mk 10,47) in verses 36-38. Can you think of an alternative word to "told" which might bring out a different emphasis in the story (see 7,22)?
The blind man then shouts out his need for God's mercy (see 17,13 and, in a different way, 18,13). See how the cry "Son of David" recalls the stories of the birth of Jesus (1,27.32; 2,4.11).

What then happens in verses 39-40? Have a look at the healing in Acts 3,1-10. Notice what the beggar now calls Jesus in verse 41.

"Your faith has saved you" occurs four times in this Gospel: check out the references: 7,50; 8,48; 17,19; 18,42.

Glorifying God is a typical response to a healing - 13,13 or 17,15 for example. As is praise by those who are present: 13,17.

Go now to my response.

Zacchaeus the Tax collector: 19,1-10

Passing through Jericho, Jesus has a second and very different encounter.

Read through the story and note one word in particular which is repeated - see 2,11 and 4,21 and also Ps 95,7.

What are we told about Zacchaeus? See 5,27, 18,13 and 18,23.

What is Jesus' response to Zacchaeus in verse 5? See again 5,29. Look too at 10,7. Note also "I must" which comes up frequently in this Gospel - 2,49, for example.

The addition of "joy" in verse 6 is also typical of Luke - see 15,7.10, for example as well as 2,10-11.

And so too is the grumbling in verse 7 - again we can look back to the call of Levi, 5,30, as well as 15,2.

The background to Zacchaeus' response in verse 8 can be found in a number of places in the Old Testament: Numbers 5,6-7 and 2 Samuel 12,6 for example. What do these tell us about Zacchaeus?

Jesus' response in verse 9 echoes and develops verse 5. Jesus adds that Zacchaeus too is a son of Abraham, see 16,19-31.

Finally, Luke adds a saying in verse 10 which echoes the shepherd teaching given in Ezekiel (Ezk 34,16)

Now consider further what we have already touched on: the place and purpose of this encounter with Zacchaeus in the overall unfolding of the Gospel.

Go now to my response.

The Sunday Gospel

The encounter of Zacchaeus with Jesus is read as the Gospel for the 31st Sunday of the Year. This story is also one of the Church's favourite Gospel passages, read for example when celebrating the dedication of a Church. Why do you think it might be so important for the Church? (The story of the blind beggar is read from Mark in cycle B, 30th Sunday.)

The reading accompanying the Gospel comes from the Wisdom of Solomon, Wis 11,22-12,2. As usual it is as well to read the passage in its context. Whilst Wis 12,2 does conclude the section, begin your reading from Wis 11,15 if not earlier.

Then take a look at my response.

We now continue on to the parable of the coins, Lk 19,11-28.