HIGHLIGHTS OF LUKE

 
  Luke’s account of the life of Jesus, written to confirm the certainty of events surrounding the life of Christ and in a manner that would appeal to people of all nations
 
  The second Gospel written; it was likely recorded between 56 and 58 C.E.
 
Events preceding Jesus’ public ministry (1:1–4:13)
 
  Gabriel announces in advance to Mary that she is to bear the Son of God; at Jesus’ birth angels identify him as “Christ the Lord”
 
  At 12 years of age, Jesus questions the teachers at the temple
 
  At his baptism by John, holy spirit comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven identifies Jesus as God’s Son
 
  Satan fails in repeated efforts to tempt Jesus
 
Jesus’ early ministry, largely in Galilee (4:14–9:62)
 
  In a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus reads his commission from the scroll of Isaiah; hearers attempt to kill him
 
  He teaches in a synagogue in Capernaum, expels a demon, and cures many who are sick
 
  He is challenged on issues such as the forgiveness of sins and healing on the Sabbath
 
  After praying all night, Jesus chooses his 12 apostles
 
  He delivers the Sermon on the Mount
 
  He heals an army officer’s slave and resurrects a widow’s son
 
  Jesus tells the parables of the two debtors and the sower; he performs more miracles, including the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter
 
  The apostles are sent out to preach the Kingdom of God
 
  Peter identifies Jesus as the Christ; soon after, he and two other apostles witness the transfiguration
Jesus’ later ministry, largely in Judea and Perea (10:1–19:27)
 
  Jesus sends out the 70 to preach
 
  He tells the parable of the neighborly Samaritan
 
  He teaches his disciples how to pray, then refutes the charge that he expels demons by means of Beelzebub
 
  Jesus warns against materialism and urges disciples to seek God’s Kingdom; he speaks of the little flock and the faithful steward
 
  He heals a woman who is bent double and answers objections because this is done on the Sabbath
 
  He shows that those who would be disciples must face up to what it involves
 
  He relates parables, including the ones about the prodigal son and the rich man and Lazarus
 
  Jesus warns his disciples about stumbling others; he illustrates the need for humility
 
  He heals ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank him
 
  Jesus compares “the days of the Son of man” to the days of Noah and of Lot
 
  He again stresses the need for humility—especially for the rich—then travels to Jericho, where Zacchaeus is converted
 
  Using the parable of the minas, he shows that the Kingdom is not going to come at that time
Jesus’ final public ministry, in and around Jerusalem (19:28–24:53)
  
Jesus rides into Jerusalem and is hailed by the people, but he weeps over the city and foretells its desolation
 
  He ejects the money changers from the temple; then he is confronted with tricky questions about taxes and the resurrection
 
  Foretelling the destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem, Jesus speaks also of the end of the appointed times of the nations
 
  He institutes the Memorial of his death, and afterward he is betrayed; when Peter strikes off the ear of the high priest’s slave, Jesus heals the man
 
  Arrested, Jesus is led to the house of the high priest, to the Sanhedrin, and to Pilate; then he is sent to Herod and finally returned to Pilate
 
  Jesus is impaled; on the stake he speaks about Paradise to an evildoer hung with him; as he dies, darkness falls over the earth and the curtain of the sanctuary is rent down the middle
 
His body is buried, but within three days the resurrected Jesus appears to his followers
  Finally, Jesus starts his ascent to heaven before their eyes