The Gospel of Luke

Sacra Pagina #3

by Luke Timothy Johnson

Presented by an internat'l team of Catholic biblical scholars, Sacra Pagina is a series of translations & expositions of the New Testament books. The volumes provide basic information as well as sound, critical analysis in a highly readable manner--yet remain sensitive to religious meaning. Each author has adopted a specific methodology while focusing on the issues raised by the compositions themselves. The expression "Sacra Pagina" refers to the text of Scripture. In the Middle Ages it also described the study of Scripture to which the interpreter brought the tools of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic & philosophy. Thus, Sacra Pagina encompasses both the text & the act of interpretation. The "very soul of sacred theology" (Dei Verbum 24) is how the 2nd Vatican Council described the study of the sacred page. These volumes open up the riches of the New Testament & invite all to study seriously the "sacred page".
What makes this commentary on Luke stand apart from others is that this is a literary analysis. Because it focuses solely on the Gospel as it appears & not on its source or origin, this commentary explores just what Luke is saying & how he says it.

Genres: Reference, Scripture, Religion, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Christianity, Theology

488 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Luke Timothy Johnson is an American New Testament scholar and historian of early Christianity. He is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology and a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University.

Johnson's research interests encompass the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of early Christianity (particularly moral discourse), Luke-Acts, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Epistle of James.

Reviews

[Daniel Garon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great literary analysis of Luke. All the major themes and most all of the nuances are captured. I come from a Protestant background not Catholic, but I found the interpretation, literary theme explanations, and synthesis with other scripture and ancient works very helpful.

Some comments the author makes are a bit nebulous and vague. He sometimes devotes one or two sentences to each of his points which feels like not enough. I cannot fault the author too much on this since the commentary is indeed 400 pages long.

I have such a richer understanding and appreciation for the gospel of Luke and more importantly Jesus love and heart for the lowly, the marginalized, those without power, and those who respond to him in faith.

“Stay with us Lord, for the evening is near”

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this entire series is an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the Bible more fully.

[Henry]

Very helpful on some passages and not at all on others. Does a great job though on hammering home that Luke and Acts should be read together as a single work, with passages in the former clearly intended to foreshadow the latter. Thus emphasizes the connection between the earthly ministry of Christ and the experience of the Church.

[Jill M Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke Timothy Johnson always presents a good explanation of the Gospels, and this is very good at explaining what some of us have read countless times and need a different explanation of what it truly means.

[Damian North · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion for the liturgical year c of the lectionary. I really love reading the interpretation sections for the reflections in preparation for the Sunday Liturgy. A must have for every catholic library or anyone looking to study the scriptures more.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing flashy, just a thorough, competent exposition of the third gospel's text from a literary perspective. It was employed as one of the texts for a class on the gospel during the first semester of 1993/94 at Loyola University Chicago's Institute for Pastoral Studies.

[Lynne Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a regular go-to for my sermon prep. Especially find the Luke commentary to be very comprehensive and like the attention to the Greek. Also like how the concise verse by verse notes lead up to the interpretation of the pericope.

[Fr. Peter Calabrese]

Excellent commentary all the way around. Technically sound but not overly dependent on that aspect for presenting the Gospel of Luke.

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some helpful themes and passages for preaching but otherwise too exegetical.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable commentary but still sensitive to technical issues.