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A Study In The Gospel Of Luke
Notes to aid personal Bible Study
7. Chapter 5.27-6.11
An invitation to Matthew to become a disciple:
Capernaum is on the north shore of Lake Galilee. A main trade route from Damascus to Acre on the coast passes through the town and may account for the site of the tax office. There was a tax on traders using a Roman road; as well as poll and land taxes. Tax Collectors were hated because they served Rome and because they could make extortionate demands. Matthew Levi was rich and to surrender his life to Christ was a sacrifice. Why did he invite his erstwhile colleagues? Why were Pharisees in the house? Large houses were often built round a courtyard where uninvited guests gathered. Jesus' outreach to the unwanted folk of society was something quite new and He offered a fresh start. Matthew's record (9.13) of this story tells us that Jesus quoted Hosea 6.6. What did Jesus, mean and how important is that quotation to us? Barclay has some interesting things to say about this.
Questions about fasting: has fasting any significance for Christians? Is Jesus saying that unlike religious people, His disciples do not practice asceticism? Note Jesus' contrast in Luke 7.32. He doesn't comment on the need for prayer. Does His comment link with other scriptural references to bride and bridegroom? What did He mean by being 'taken away'; the Greek word used could infer violence
(1). Do traditions uphold or circumvent God's principles? What did the parables of the 'wineskins and patches' teach? How are they relevant to our experience? Are we afraid of change? Jesus' teachings are ever new and are distinct from religion. Modem translations use 'rend' or 'tear' not 'putteth' as in AV v.36 for the Greek word 'schisma'. Why can't the 'old skins' of tradition contain the new wine of the Kingdom'?Chapter 6 Opposition - about the Sabbath.
The Sabbath teaching was important but had they missed the point of its value? Was their criticism valid? Was 'legalism' hindering a wholesome life and 'obedience' developing into formalism ? Laws were made for our benefit; to save us from selfishness; to save us from hurting others and most of all, from forgetting God. The Jewish definition of work bore no resemblance to the Law and Barclay's commentary has an interesting note. Deut 23.25 encourages gleaning. Why did Jesus refer to David's visit to the Tabernacle? How was it relevant to the Sabbath? Mark 2.26 refers to Abiathar but 1 Sam. 21.1 refers to Ahimelech; where did the change occur? Jesus' healing of the man's withered hand shows up the Pharisees' weakness. They lived to destroy; Jesus lives to give life. The Greek word for 'save' (6.9) means "everything conducive to true life and happiness"
(2) The Greek word (psuche) refers to the whole person, physical and spiritual. The word translated 'wither' is often used to describe decaying plant material (3). The word 'madness' in v.11 is translated in the NIV and NRSV as furious or fury and means 'insane anger (4) or "phrensy or loss of reason" (5). 'Trouble was brewing'.(1) Moms (2)Geldenhuys (3) Moms (4) Barclay (5) Geidenhuys from Plummer
DN
Barclay on Luke 6. 1-5
"Why did the Pharisees miss the meaning — and why do we so often miss it?
(i) They did not bring to scripture an open mind. They came to scripture not to learn God's will, but to find proof texts to buttress up their own ideas. Far too often men have taken a theology to the Bible instead of finding their theology in the Bible. When we read scripture we must come saying, not, "Listen, Lord, for Thy servant is speaking," but "Speak, Lord for Thy servant is listening."
(ii) They did not bring a needy heart. The man who comes with no sense of need always misses the deepest meaning of scripture. When need awakens, the Bible is a new book. "
William Barclay -. The Gospel of Luke, p.68 Saint Andrew Press (1967)
