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by John Thomas Wylie (Author)
This publication, "A Commentary on The Gospel of Luke," is what Luke renders as the most complete account of the life of Jesus that has survived from the apostolic age. The Gospel of Luke was designed to be a full presentation of the profession or career of the Savior from his birth to his ascension, and was part of a larger work including the book of Acts, which carried the history forward into the missionary activity of the church to the extent that the foundation of the Christian community in Rome.
The message of Luke's Gospel can be summed up in Jesus' words to Zacchaeus as Luke records them: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (19:10). The character and purpose of Jesus as Savior are the main theme of the Gospel of Luke. The activity and teaching of Jesus in Luke are centered on lifting men out of their sins and bringing them back to life and hope. The miracles, the parables, the teachings, and the acts of Jesus exemplify his redemptive power and will.
The concept of Jesus as Son of man emphasizes his humanity and his caring inclination (compassionate feeling) for all men. He was to be "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of ... Israel" (2:32). Luke writes as a Gentile Christian, with profound appreciation for God's revelation through the Hebrew people, but with a warm sympathy toward those who are not included in the first covenant of the Law. His Gospel is truly and genuinely widespread in scope.
The structure of Luke follows the same general order as that of Matthew and Mark, since that is determined by the life of Christ itself. The introduction of the realities is much full in some respects, but is less topical than Matthew and is more flowing than Mark's.
