Christian Bible and the Gospel of Luke

Bergant (2000), Boyon (2002), Fitzmyer (1981) and Johnson (1991) all offer commentary, analysis, and correspondences for Luke 4:14-30. Boyon (2002) calls this section an “apocalyptic turning point,” a critical moment in which Jesus not only recognizes himself as the fulfillment of a prophesy but communicates that awareness to a Jewish congregation during the Sabbath service in a synagogue in Nazareth. All four of these commentaries present similar context and literary deconstruction of the text, allowing insight into the original Greek. A few authors, like Boyon and Fitzmeyer, spend a considerable amount of time comparing Luke’s version of the story of Jesus’s “inauguration” as a prophecy-fulfilling messiah with that of Mark. As Boyon (2002) points out, Luke’s version is almost twice as long, raising questions about its “source and function,” (p. 526). All four of these authors also offer extensive notes and correspondences that can enhance a sermon.
The most helpful elements in all the commentaries include explaining why this section is so important, as it establishes Jesus as a prophetic messiah while also showing how his public declaration led to a pivotal historical moment. This moment was also written in prophesy: the fact that the messiah would not be welcome in his own home and would be cast away. Bergant’s (2000) analysis is perhaps the least instructive as it is less about correspondences and more a modern interpretation replete with more value-laden judgments than are necessary. For example, Bergant (2000) goes beyond the content of scripture by that Jesus’s presence “filled the people in the synagogue with fury,” (p. 238). The use of the word fury twice in the analysis adds an unnecessarily emotional content related to the prophesy of Jesus’s rejection by his people. Granted, all four correspondences must mention the important fact that the purpose of Luke’s passage is to discuss the role of Jesus as the fulfillment of prophesy—including his rejection. Theologically speaking, no one of these commentaries is any more instructive than any other. All show how Luke takes pains to describe the incident and anchor Jesus as the messiah.
Boyon’s commentary is most useful for providing insight into the historical and social context of the events described in Luke. For one, Boyon (2000) shows how Luke’s passage exemplifies the literary tradition of biography, as Luke uses tropes that would have been familiar to his audience such as establishing the renown or reputation of Jesus and thereby elevating the position of Jesus’s birthplace—Nazareth—to greater importance. Also, Boyon (2000) talks about how Luke refers to the Jews as others, such as mentioning “their” synagogues—almost as if Luke wants the audience to believe that from this point onward, Jesus distances himself from the Jewish community from which he came and establishes clearly a new path for those who follow and believe in him.
Both Fitzmyer and Johnson also offer extensive notes and correspondences that help with interpretation and expository analysis. The notes especially help with the transition into the pastoral application because they illuminate different ways of reading and interpreting the text. For example, Boyon (2000) differentiates between the pride that would be like arrogance or hubris versus the honor that Jesus takes in fulfilling the prophesy and in proclaiming his status. This commentary helps pastors to clarify the difference between the noble and humbly proud sense of confidence and esteem in fulfilling one’s duty and the arrogance or false pride that often comes from abusing positions of power. Another approach a pastor might take would be to focus more fully on the “fury” theme that Bergant discusses. All the commentaries talk about the theme of rejection, and the fact that Jesus’s universal message did not fit in with the Jewish worldview of the time; it may be important to show how the schism that emerged in the small community of Nazareth at this point in time evolved into the creation of the Christian faith, a pivotal moment in history.






References

Bergant, Diane with Richard Fragomeni. Preaching the New Lectionary, Year C. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2000.
Bovon, François. Luke I, A Commentary on the Gospel of Luke 1:1 - 9:50. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002. 1-12.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Gospel According to Luke. AB. Volume 28. New York: Doubleday, 1981.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Gospel of Luke. SP. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991.