3. the breakdown
Luke
• John the Baptist is Born
• Mary & Elizabeth
• Census
• No Room in the Inn
• Manger
• Shepherds & Angels
Matthew
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Angel visits Joseph
• The Virgin Birth
• Wise Men
• Herod & the Massacre of
the Infants
4. The Gospel According to Luke
The writer of Luke…
is writing to someone specific with a specific goal in mind:
1Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events
that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed on to us by
those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the
word, 3I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very
first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so
that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have
been instructed.
Some believe “Theophilus” is a specific person and others that the name represents a
community of Gentile believers
– this Gospel focuses less on Jewish tradition or law
– it seems to be written into more secular history than a Jewish one
– the “orderly account” is intended as a sermon to help this community understand
theology better thus he writes in a coherent, intentionally narrative-driven way
5. The Gospel According to Matthew
The Writer of Matthew…
• writing to “Matthew’s Church,” i.e. to Jewish people, to address
a particular issue in that church – “the Gentile question”
“much about the Gospel is aimed at helping Matthew’s
church define its distinct Christian character in a confusing world
of rival claims” (Long 3)
was probably “male, Jewish, steeped in the Hebrew
scriptures, and an accomplished writer in Greek” (Long 3)
• is trying to help people answer the questions, “Who is Jesus?”
“Where is his authority derived?” and “What does he want us to
do as his church?”
6. the breakdown
Luke
• John the Baptist is Born
• Mary & Elizabeth
• Census
• No Room in the Inn
• Manger
• Shepherds & Angels
Matthew
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Angel visits Joseph
• The Virgin Birth
• Wise Men
• Herod & the Massacre of
the Infants
7. the breakdown
Luke
• John the Baptist is Born
• Mary & Elizabeth
• Census
• No Room in the Inn
• Manger
• Shepherds & Angels
Matthew
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Angel visits Joseph
• The Virgin Birth
• Wise Men
• Herod & the Massacre
of the Infants
8. What we know about…
Luke
He writes to Theophilus, which
may have represented a
community of Gentile
believers.
He tries to tell a coherent,
“orderly” story.
Matthew
He writes to “Matthew’s
Church,” i.e. to Jewish
people, to address a
particular issue in that church
– “the Gentile question”
“much about the Gospel is
aimed at helping Matthew’s
church define its distinct
Christian character in a
confusing world of rival
claims” (Long 3)
9. the breakdown
Luke
• John the Baptist is Born
• Mary & Elizabeth
• Census
• No Room in the Inn
• Manger
• Shepherds & Angels
Matthew
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Angel visits Joseph
• The Virgin Birth
• Wise Men
• Herod & the Massacre
of the Infants
10. the breakdown
Luke
• John the Baptist is Born
• Mary & Elizabeth
• Census
• No Room in the Inn
• Manger
• Shepherds & Angels
Matthew
• Genealogy of Jesus
• Angel visits Joseph
• The Virgin Birth
• Wise Men
• Herod & the Massacre
of the Infants
