Dating gospel

(the death of Herod) are known, and such a dating for an earlier census under Quirinius would create additional problems for dating the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Lk 3:1, 23). It is a legal description indicating that Jesus possessed the rights and privileges of the firstborn son (Gn 27; Ex 13:2; Nm –13; –16; Dt –17). As savior, Jesus is looked upon by Luke as the one who rescues humanity from sin and delivers humanity from the condition of alienation from God.

* [2:1] : the reign of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus is usually dated from 27 B. son does not necessarily mean that Mary had other sons. * [] The basic message of the infancy narrative is contained in the angel’s announcement: this child is for Jesus (Lk ; Acts ; ; see also Lk ; 19:9; Acts ).

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.


* [] Just as John before him had been incorporated into the people of Israel through his circumcision, so too this child (see note on Lk –66).

* [–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk –24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses.

The concept of a presentation at the temple is probably derived from 1 Sm –28, where Hannah offers the child Samuel for sanctuary services.

6) would not fit with the dating of Jesus’ birth in the days of Herod (Lk 1:5; Mt 2:1). It is not by chance that Luke relates the birth of Jesus to the time of Caesar Augustus: the real savior (Lk ) and peace-bearer (Lk ; see also Lk ) is the child born in Bethlehem.

Her blessedness as mother of the Lord will be challenged by her son who describes true blessedness as “hearing the word of God and observing it” (Lk –28 and Lk –21).

* [–52] This story’s concern with an incident from Jesus’ youth is unique in the canonical gospel tradition.

* [2:1–2] Although universal registrations of Roman citizens are attested in 28 B. At that time, a provincial census of Judea was taken up. Lord is the most frequently used title for Jesus in Luke and Acts.

Moreover, there are notorious historical problems connected with Luke’s dating the census , and the various attempts to resolve the difficulties have proved unsuccessful. Sulpicius Quirinius became legate of the province of Syria in A. 6–7 when Judea was annexed to the province of Syria. The political overtones of the title are played down in Luke and instead the Messiah of the Lord (Lk ) or the Lord’s anointed is the one who now brings salvation to all humanity, Jew and Gentile (Lk –32).

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