Crucifixion Narrative – Fulfils Old Testament Prophecy Crucifixion Narrative – Brings Salvation for All
Luke wants to assert that Jesus’ death was not an accident, Luke shows that Jesus’ death has the power to bring salvation to Resurrection Narrative – Fulfils Old Testament
but all part of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity, all, through characters who symbolise the theme of universalism.
Prophecy
fulfilling prophecies in Isiah 53 and Psalms 22. Jesus is Pilate and Herod, as Romans and half-Jews, recognise Jesus’
Luke builds on the theme of fulfilling Old Testament
reckoned amongst transgressors, ‘they crucified him there, innocence, bringing reconciliation and salvation. Simon of
prophecy in the resurrection narrative. He does not
along with the criminals’, fulfilling Isiah 53, which stated that Cyrene, a black Jew from North Africa, is chosen to carry the
specify which Old Testament prophecies the resurrection
the righteous one would be ‘numbered with the cross, showing the broad ethnic nature of salvation. The criminal
has fulfilled, but Isiah 53 and Psalms 22 prophesise these
transgressors’. Lots are cast for Jesus’ clothes, ‘they divided on the cross repents and is saved, ‘today you will be with me in
events. The prophet Hosea specifically prophesised the
up his clothes by casting lots’, fulfilling Psalms 22, ‘they paradise’, showing that salvation is available to sinners. The
resurrection on the third day, so clearly Jesus’
divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they weeping women remain faithful to Jesus throughout, showing
resurrection would fulfil this, ‘on the third day he will
cast lots’. Jesus is offered sour wine, ‘they offered him wine that all who have faith receive salvation, regardless of gender.
raise us up’. The angels tell the women that ‘the Son of
vinegar’, fulfilling Psalm 69, ‘they gave me vinegar to drink’. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolises that the barrier
Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and
The falling of the curtain symbolises that Jesus bears the sins between God and humanity is removed, removing the barrier of
be crucified on the third day and later rise’, clearing
of many, ‘the curtain of the temple was torn in two’, fulfilling sin and allowing sinners to receive salvation. The Roman
referring to the prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection. The risen
Isiah 53, which states that the righteous one would ‘bear their centurion realises that Jesus is innocent, showing that salvation
Jesus tells the two disciples ‘how foolish you are, and
iniquities’. Jesus makes intercessions for transgressors, ‘truly I is available to gentiles. The women followers accompany his
how slow to believe all that the prophecies have spoken!
tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’, fulfilling Isiah body to the tomb, foreshadowing that it is the women who will
Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then
53, ‘he makes intercessions for transgressors’. There is be rewarded. Joseph of Arimathea says that Jesus is innocent,
enter his glory?’, referencing that the crucifixion and
darkness over the land, ‘darkness came over the whole land’, showing that the rich can be saved. All the crowds go home
resurrection were predetermined in scripture. The risen
fulfilling Joel 2, ‘the sun shall be turned into darkness’. Jesus is ‘beating their breasts’, so Jesus’ death has the power to bring all
Jesus tells the disciples ‘everything about me in the Law
buried in a rich man’s tomb, fulfilling Isiah 53, ‘they made his people to repentance.
of Moses and in the prophecies and psalms must be
grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death’.
fulfilled’, referencing that he must ascend in order to
The Crucifixion and Resurrection fulfil the prophecy.
Crucifixion Narrative – Jesus as the Innocent and Obedient Son of God Narratives in Luke
Luke asserts that Jesus was wholly innocent of the charges brought against him,
and that he allowed the events to take place because he was obedient to his
Resurrection Narrative – Brings Salvation for All
Father’s will. Pilate and Herod find Jesus innocent, and are reconciled with each
Luke builds on his message of universal salvation from the crucifixion narrative in the
other after their joint verdict, ‘that same day, Herod and Pilate became friends’.
resurrection narrative. It is significant that the first witnesses to the resurrection are the
The weeping women encounter Jesus and he asserts that he is innocent of any
women who discover the empty tomb and are given the good news by the angels, not the
charges, ‘if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen
male disciples, signifying that people of all genders will be saved. The two disciples from
when it is dry?’. Jesus is taunted to save himself, ‘if you are the king of the Jews,
outside the inner group of apostles are the first to actually see Jesus, suggesting that all
save yourself’, however he refuses because he is obedient in God’s plan. The
people, regardless of their relation to Jesus, are able to receive salvation. Jesus does appear
criminal recognises Jesus’ innocence, ‘this man has done nothing wrong’,
to the Jewish male disciples, but delivers a message of universal salvation, ‘repentance for the
showing Jesus to be innocent. Jesus prays to God, ‘Father, into your hands I
forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem’, so
commit my spirit’, showing that he is obedient in God’s plan for him. The Roman
the disciples are to preach salvation to all, starting with the Jewish people, and then take that
centurion recognises Jesus’ innocence, ‘truly this was a righteous man’,
message to the whole world, implying that salvation is available to both Jewish people and
emphasising Jesus’ innocence. The crowds go home ‘beating their breasts’,
gentiles.
showing that they acknowledge that Jesus didn’t deserve to die.
Resurrection Narrative – Jesus Rose Physically from the Dead
Luke is keen to assert that Jesus rose not just spiritually, but physically too. Talbert suggests that Luke wrote this gospel to combat Gnosticism and docetic ideas, which
proposed that Jesus only had the appearance of a human being, and wasn’t actually human, only a divine being who didn’t really suffer and die. So, Luke forcefully asserts that
Jesus was both truly God and truly man, and that he actually suffered and died, and then physically rose. There is no body at the tomb, only the clothes he was laid in, showing
that he was a physical being. Jesus breaks bread with the disciples, suggesting that he is able to feel and hold, showing that he is a human being. Finally, Jesus shows the
disciples the wounds in his hands and feet, says that he is not a spirit when the disciples believe that he is, and eats fish to prove that he is a real human being.
