The Gospel of Luke: Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem: Part II

– Requirements. Students who wish to take the course are required to possess a good knowledge of Biblical Greek, as well as the ability to offer an idiomatic translation of the Greek text into a modern language. At least a general knowledge of narrative method is required. Students who are unfamiliar with the method should consult one of the manuals on the narrative criticism.

– Goal and methodology. The course aims to familiarize the students with Jesus’ teaching in its narrative context. The methodology used in this course is the narrative criticism.

The great journey of Jesus to Jerusalem constitutes one of the most distinctive aspects of the Gospel of Luke. It occupies ten chapters 9:51—19:46, whereas Mark dedicates only one chapter (Mk 10) and Matthew no more than two (Matt 19–20). The central part of Luke’s Gospel is composed of material taken from the Gospel of Mark, the hypothetical source “Q” and Luke’s own traditions gathered after diligent research. The journey to Jerusalem is a hallmark of Luke’s Gospel, but it is also one of the most disconcerting aspects of the Gospel. For example, the material collected in this central section of the Gospel is of different nature and types. Although Luke presents this section as a journey, there are relatively few geographical indications that suggest real progress towards the holy city. After a brief discussion of the limits of Luke’s journey section (9:51–19:46) and its subdivisions (9:51–13:21; 13:22–17:10; 17:11–18:30; 18:31–19:27; 19:28–19:46), the course focuses on the second part of that section, i.e., Luke 13:22–17:10 and applies the narrative criticism to elucidate some of its passages (among them, the healing of the Man with Dropsy on the Sabbath 14:1-7; the Parable of the Great Feast 14:15-24; the Parable of the Dishonest Steward 16:1-8; the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 16:19-31).

Oral exam.

Students are encouraged to choose one of the best commentaries in their own language. These may be accompanied by:
• G.C. Bottini, Introduzione all’opera di Luca (Analecta 35), Jerusalem 1992
• F. Bovon, Luke the Theologian: Fifty-Five Years of Research (1950-2005), Waco TX 2006
• L.D. Chrupcała, Il Vangelo di Luca: Analisi sintattica (Analecta 86), Milano 2018
• M.A. Powell, What is Narrative Criticism?, Minneapolis MN 1990
• J. Resseguie, Narrative Criticism of the New Testament. An Introduction, Grand Rapids MI 2005
• J.B. Green (ed.), Methods for Luke (Methods in Biblical Interpretation), Cambridge UK 2014
• J.A. Fitzmyer, The Gospel according to Luke (AB 28-28A), New York NY 1981-1985
• F. Bovon, Das Evangelium nach Lukas (EKKNT III), Neukirchen 1989-2009
• J. Nolland, Luke 9:21–18:34 (WBC 35B), Dallas TX 1993
• J.B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, Grand Rapids MI 1997
• D.L. Bock, Luke 9:51–24:53 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New 53 Testament), Grand Rapids MI 1998
• F. Mickiewicz, Ewangelia według świętego Łukasza. Rozdziały 12–24 (Nowy Komentarz Biblijny. Nowy Testament), Częstochowa, 2011
• M.C. Parsons, Luke (Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament), Grand Rapids MI 2015
• J.R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke (The Pillar New Testament Commentary), Nottingham 2015
• M. Crimella, Luca: Introduzione, traduzione e commento (Nuovissima versione della Bibbia dai testi originali 39), Cinisello Balsamo 2015
• B.E. Reid – S. Matthews, Luke 10–24 (Wisdom Commentary Series 43B), Collegeville MN 2021
• M. Patella, “Luke”, in J.J. Collins – G. Hens-Piazza – B.E. Reid – D. Senior (ed.), The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century, London et alii 2022, 1289-1362
• P. Blajer, “The Limit of the Lukan Journey Section Reconsidered,” LA 64 (2014) 255-271
• P. Blajer, “Function and Purpose of the Five Major Travel Notices in Luke: The Structure of the Lukan Journey Section Reconsidered,” LA 71 (2021) 211-228.

The rest of the bibliography, articles and monographs will be presented at the beginning of the course.