An Outline of St. Luke’s Presentation of Jesus’ Teaching

Chapters 1-3 are introductory; Luke records the presentation of the Christ to the world; Jesus is heralded by angels, He is the fulfillment of prophecy, and He is recognized by the Father and the Spirit as the Son.

Jesus is Messiah

Chapter 4 Jesus demonstrates great faith in His Father and obedience to His word in a contest against satan. Jesus proclaims Himself Messiah and the

fulfillment of Scripture.

o Jesus stands firm against the at-temptation of satan.o Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth.

Jesus Brings Forgiveness

Chapter 5 Jesus proclaims Himself the Son of Man and proves His claim by healing the sick and forgiving sin. Jesus brings a new and better covenant

for His children.

o Jesus heals the man with leprosy and news of His work begins to spread.o Jesus heals the man who was paralyzed and forgives the man’s sins.o Jesus begins to engage the Pharisees; first over His authority to forgive sin and then over His

eating with sinners.

The Word of Love Transcends the Word of Law

Chapter 6 Jesus teaches the intent of God’s Law by expounding it as a law of love for God and others. He teaches His followers to obey His word.

o Jesus presents blessings and woes; He introduces the concepts of ‘the last will be first’ and the ‘least, greatest.’

o Jesus teaches His followers to love their enemies, to pray for others, to turn the other cheek when wronged, to give, to love others as themselves, and to not judge others.

o Jesus teaches His followers to look first to their own sin and become clean before they attempt to make another person clean.

o Jesus teaches His followers to build upon the solid ground of His word.

Jesus has the Authority to Forgive Sin

Chapter 7 Jesus proclaims Himself the fulfillment of Scripture. He demonstrates His authority to forgive sin. He teaches the importance of faith in the

Son of Man for forgiveness.

o Jesus responds to questions from the disciples of John the Baptist.o Jesus praises John the Baptist.o Jesus forgives the woman who washed His feet with her tears.

Chapter 8 Jesus teaches that one must hear the word of God and obey it before faith can grow. He teaches that faith must be protected against both

demonic, spiritual interference and personal sin. He teaches the importance of faith in the Son of Man for forgiveness.

o Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Lampo Jesus demonstrates His power over the forces of nature by stilling the sea.

o Jesus demonstrates His power over the spiritual realm by casting out Legion.

Followers of Jesus Must Prepare for a Life of Discipleship

Chapter 9-10 Jesus declares Himself the Christ of God. He teaches His followers and those who would follow him to consider the cost of discipleship

and to prepare for such a life. He teaches His followers to proclaim the kingdom of God. He teaches His followers to love their

neighbors.

o Jesus sends out the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. Jesus instructs them to enter only the cities and houses that receive them and to turn away

from those who would reject them. Jesus teaches them to deny themselves, pick up their crosses, and to follow their Lord.

o Jesus feeds the five thousand.o Jesus introduces His crucifixion.o Jesus sends out the seventy to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God.

Jesus instructs them to enter only the cities and houses that receive them and to turn away from those who would reject them.

Jesus tells them that their work has caused the work of satan to crumble before His eyes.

Followers of Jesus Must Stand Ready for the Kingdom

Chapter 11-13 Jesus unequivocally teaches that He is a higher authority than the religion of men. He admonishes His followers to prepare themselves and

remain ready for His return. He warns against assuming a place in the kingdom; that it is the last who will be first in His kingdom.

o Jesus teaches His followers to pray.o Jesus teaches about the seriousness of the blasphemy of the Pharisees against the Holy Spirit.o Jesus proclaims ‘Woe!’ to the Pharisee and the hypocrite.o Jesus warns His followers to guard their hearts and faith against darkness, to work to obey the

commands of God, to prepare for the coming judgment day, and to repent before it is too late. o Jesus teaches His followers to revere God and to depend on Him fully for all their needs,

God Invites All Men into His Kingdom

Chapter 14-19 Jesus teaches His followers what the Father in heaven is like. He teaches His followers how to practice their faith in His kingdom. He shows

them exactly who will be invited and welcomed to stay in the Father’s kingdom. He teaches them to obey His commands.

o Jesus teaches through the Parables of the Guests and Dinner that all men will be invited but only a few will be chosen and will accept His invitation.

o Jesus teaches through the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son that God rejoices over the repentance and return of His wayward children.

o Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward that His followers are to be faithful in all they do for God.

o Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus that His followers must guard themselves against storing up treasure on earth and not preparing a place for themselves in heaven.

o Jesus teaches through parables the nature of prayer.o Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler that with God all things are possible to

the man who has faith.o Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Minas that His followers are to be diligent in using the

gifts God has given them to glorify God in heaven.

Chapter 17 Jesus proclaims that He will suffer and die at the hands of men but that He will return to gather up those who are His own.

Jesus is King

Chapter 19 Jesus is exalted as He approaches Jerusalem and exerts His authority in God’s chosen city by clearing His temple of the irreligious works of

the temple rulers. Jesus teaches that the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed.

Followers of Jesus Must Guard their Faith and Look for His Return

Chapter 20-21 Jesus teaches His followers of His death, resurrection, and return. He teaches them to be ready for His return for on that day He will judge

His children on their obedience to what He has taught.

o Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Vine-growers that it is Israel’s (hence, the world’s) rejection of the Son that will bring about her destruction.

o Jesus teaches that great faith brings great sacrifice.o Jesus teaches His followers to look for the signs of His return, to keep on the alert at all times, and

to pray continuously for strength.

Remember Jesus and His Words

Chapter 22 Jesus gives His disciples final instructions and encouragement and leaves them a sacrament by which they will remember the things He has

taught them.

o Jesus is betrayed by Judas and led away to stand trial.o Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples.

The Death of Jesus Brings Forgiveness To All Men

Chapter 22-24 Jesus demonstrates His great faith in His Father by praying, “yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus is tortured, crucified, buried, and

rises again in front of many witnesses. Jesus leaves His fulfillment of Scripture in the minds of His disciples by saying, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His Name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”