《Box’s Commentary on Luke》(Charles Box)
Commentator
Charles has served the congregation of Walnut Street Church of Christ in Greenville, Alabama faithfully since November 16, 1986. He is a graduate of Alabama Christian College (Now Faulkner University), and he has a Master's degree in Bible from Alabama Christian School of Religion (now Southern Christian University).
Charles has been and is still actively involved in mission work. He has helped to establish and/or strengthen congregations of the church of Christ on the island of Aruba, and in Guyana, South America. He has also traveled to India and other parts of the world spreading the word of Christ.
He has helped developed simple Bible study lessons to be used in personal evangelism. One series of lessons is titled "Back to the Bible." This is a great study, and teaches one how to become a Christian and how to live a Christian life, doing so God's way.
Note: While there are commentaries on 26 books of the Bible, not all chapters and verses have comments.
00 Introduction
Special Information About Jesus
- Luke One -
Luke is the inspired writer of both Luke and Acts. He provided detailed information about Christ and His church to a man named Theophilus. Luke was a physician. (Colossians 4:14) He was a co-worker with Paul. The person to whom these things were written was Theophilus. "Theophilus" means "lover of God." Luke"s purpose in writing was clearly stated, "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." (Luke 1:3-4) Luke could write with such certainty because he was an inspired eyewitness of the things he wrote. Luke points us to Jesus as the true Savior of all humanity. "Savior" is Luke"s distinctive title for Jesus. Luke proves beyond doubt that the gospel is for all. He emphasizes the equality of women with men in God"s kingdom. He often shows the relationship of the Samaritans with God and in His service. Luke shows us God's love for both the rich and the poor. The gospel is for all! Luke 19:10 provides a one verse summary of the work of Jesus. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
01 Chapter 1
Verses 1-4
Luke"s inspired preface for this gospel -- Luke 1:1-4 : Many people had taken it upon themselves to try to write a narrative of what God had done among the Jews and during the days of the early church. The gospel of Luke was written around 59 to 62 AD. Others wrote their accounts based on information passed on to them. Luke had a "perfect understanding of all things from the very first." He was inspired by God. He wrote to Theophilus to tell him exactly what took place. Luke wanted Theophilus to understand with certainty the things that had taken place.
Verses 5-25
The birth of John was announced -- Luke 1:5-25 : The birth of both John and Jesus took place while Herod was king of Judea. During this time there was a good man names named Zacharias. He was a priest of the course of Abia. His wife was a descendent of Aaron. Her name was Elisabeth. Both Zacharias and Elizabeth were loving toward God and obedient to Him. They were old and had not been able to have children. On an occasion when Zacharias was fulfilling his priestly duties of burning incense in the temple an angel appeared to him and told him that he and his wife would have a son. The angel also said "you must name him John." It was predicted that John would grow up to be a great servant of the Lord. The angel said, "He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother"s womb." His work would be to go before the Lord in the power and spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah. Zacharias asked Gabriel how he could know these things were true. He again said that he and Elizabeth were very old. The proof was that Zacharias would not be able to speak until John was born. When Zacharias exited the Temple the people knew that he had seen a vision. Shortly after this he went home and soon Elizabeth was expecting a baby. She hid herself five months. She felt that God had taken away her reproach among the people.
Verses 26-56
The birth of Jesus was announced -- Luke 1:26-56 : A month after the announcement of John"s birth God sent Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. They were both from the house or family of David. The angel greeted Mary saying, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." The angel told Mary that God was pleased with her and that she would have a male child. He said, "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33) Mary reminded the angel that she was not even married. She was told, "The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God"s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God." As proof the angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was expecting a child and that "Nothing is impossible for God!" Mary simply yielded to God as His humble servant. Soon Mary made a visit to Elizabeth. Mary received additional confirmation from her. "When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" God blessed Mary, Her child Jesus and the entire world through Him. Mary was blessed because she believed that God would keep His promises. In Luke 1:46-55 we have a great song of praise for God from Mary. "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." (Luke 1:46-55)
Verses 57-80
The birth and early life of John -- Luke 1:57-80 : When Elizabeth"s son was born her relatives and neighbors came on the eighth day to circumcise him. They called him Zacharias after the name of his father. They were surprised when Elizabeth said "No, he shall be called John." The people argued that no one in the family was named John. They motioned to Zacharias to find out what he wanted to name his son. He wrote, "His name is John." Immediately after this Zacharias started speaking and praising God. When others heard of this they knew the Lord was with this child. They wondered what he would grow up to be. Immediately when Zacharias began to speak he praised the God of Israel! He understood that these things were related to God giving the world a mighty Savior from the family of David. The coming of the Savior was the fulfillment of the covenant that God had made with Abraham. Our goal must be to serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. John was to be a prophet of God who would prepare the way for the Messiah. John would make known to the people that they could be saved when their sins were forgiven through Jesus. As we look at Jesus God"s mercy and grace shines forth like the brightness of the sun. As John grew up, God"s Spirit gave him great power. He lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel.
The point of Luke"s gospel is that no one is a lost cause to Jesus. No matter how sinful you have been, Jesus loves you. He is willing to forgive you. He can then use you to share His love with others. Do you believe in Jesus as Savior? You can enjoy redemption in the blood of the Lamb and also forgiveness and hope because of the Savior preached by John. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithfulto God. (Revelation 2:10) Life on earth is always better when we have Jesus as Savior and the hereafter with Jesus will be very far better!
02 Chapter 2
03 Chapter 3
04 Chapter 4
05 Chapter 5
06 Chapter 6
07 Chapter 7
08 Chapter 8
09 Chapter 9
Introduction
What Do You Think Of Jesus?
- Luke Nine -
Jesus called His twelve disciples and commissioned them to "proclaim the kingdom of God." He also gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases." He told them, "Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece." He wanted them to learn that God would provide for their daily needs. Herod heard about Jesus and "He desired to see Him." He had heard what others were saying about Jesus but He was unsure what to believe about Him. Luke offered many proof that Jesus is the Christ. Here Luke records the great miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with "five loaves and the two fishes." While others were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elias or one of the old prophets who was raised again Peter and the other apostles said He is "The Christ of God."
If Jesus is the Christ as He claims He has the right to demand total self denial. Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer, be rejected and killed, but that He would rise the third day. He wanted it understood that His followers must be willing to suffer for Him. He said, "You must take up your cross each day and follow me." Those who follow Jesus must forget about themselves and give up their lives for Jesus. The greatest waste would be to gain the entire world and then lose your own soul. As additional proof that Jesus is the Son of God He was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elias. That however was not God"s desire. He said of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son: hear him."
As Jesus came down from the transfiguration He met a man who had a demon possessed son. The demon did terrible things to the boy. Jesus" apostles had been unable to cast him out. Jesus called them a faithless and perverse generation and asked that the boy be brought to him. Jesus Then healed the boy and gave him back to his father. Jesus again told the disciples that the "Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men." The disciples did not understand that this meant that He would die for the sins of the world. Jesus must have been amazed as the disciples argued about who was the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. He taught them that the most humble servant of God is the greatest in the kingdom. Those who act in the name of the Lord do so by His authority. Jesus said, "He that is not against us is for us." It was necessary for Jesus to rebuke the apostles for their mistaken zeal in wanting to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans. Jesus wanted it understood that our focus must be on Jesus and we must never look back!
Verses 1-9
Who is this Jesus? -- Luke 9:1-9 : The apostles had been witnesses as Jesus calmed a storm; they saw Him cast the demons into the swine that ran into the sea; they saw the woman that Jesus healed of the issue of blood; they saw Jairus" daughter who was raised from the dead. This evidence served as the background for Him sending them forth the twelve to preach the kingdom of God, to heal the sick and to have authority over all devils. They were called upon to leave their possessions and to depend upon God to provide for them. Reliance on God and trusting His ability to provide is truly one characteristic of the child of God. We could accomplish great things for God if we would commit ourselves to the work of God like the apostles did. Herod the tetrarch was perplexed as to who Jesus was. Some said Jesus was John risen from the dead. Herod knew that he had beheaded John. Others said that Jesus was Elijah or one of the old prophets who was risen again. Herod desired to see Jesus and to know who He was.
Verses 10-20
The miracle of feeding the five thousand -- Luke 9:10-20 : The apostles returned and gave a report of the work that had been done through them. A multitude followed the apostles and Jesus. He "spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing." He did not try to help a few and then send others away with no help saying they lacked faith. He helped all that needed help. The twelve asked Jesus to send the multitude away so they could get food. Jesus told the apostles to feed them. They have now been given power. They could heal the sick and they could provide for the multitude"s physical needs. With five loaves and the two fishes Jesus fed the multitude and there were twelve baskets of fragments that remained after the people had eaten. When we observe our lives and our resources we remember that the Lord has promised to provide for us if we put Him first in our life. Jesus asked the apostles, "Whom say ye that I am?" It only made sense that Peter would answer, "The Christ of God."
Verses 21-36
Gaining life by giving our life to Jesus -- Luke 9:21-36 : A great evidence of Christian character is the spirit and practice of self-denial. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) Jesus" own mission centered around self-denial and the cross. Our life must also center around self denial and bearing our cross daily. Self sacrifice means that there is nothing too dear not to be given to Christ. There is nothing too great not to be cheerfully sacrificed for the promotion of His glory. Jesus said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Let us never put our comfort, pleasure, wealth or even our own life before Jesus. The more you forget yourselves and focus on God"s glory, the more will you advance your own interest both in this world and that which is to come. God"s desire is that we hear Jesus and honor Him. Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. Peter desired to build three tabernacles. Jesus did not even rebuke Peter for what he said. God simply overshadowed them with a bright cloud and, "there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." These apostles had seen Jesus in His glory and heard the voice of God. They no longer doubt; they just believe.
Verses 37-62
Put your hand to the plough and do not look back -- Luke 9:37-62 : Our faith in the Christ will grow if we have faith in His power. His power was seen as He healed a severely demon possessed boy and gave him back to his father. (Luke 9:37-43) Our faith in the Christ will grow if we come to understand the purpose of His mission. He came to be delivered up for our sins. (Luke 9:44-45) Our faith in the Christ will keep us from competing for greatness in our relationship with one another. (Luke 9:46-48) Our faith in the Christ will help us in our relationship with others who are serving Him. The apostles said, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." These were people who could have been one of the seventy (Luke 10) or at least it must be someone commissioned by Christ. Our faith in the Christ will help us relate properly to those who may oppose us. When we understand Jesus we will not want to call down fire from heaven to destroy others. Our faith in the Christ will cause us to understand and accept the cost of discipleship. (Luke 9:57-62) Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."