According to Luke: The Third Gospel’s Ordered Historical Narrative

by David W. Gooding

How can we be certain that we have understood the message that Luke has presented in his account of Christ's life? David Gooding asks us to begin by recalling that Luke is an ancient and not a modern historian. A modern historian might compile a list of the things that Jesus did and taught, and then add his own explanations. But Luke has more in common with ancient Greek historians and writers of the historical narratives of the Old Testament. With minimal comment, he has grouped the material about Christ in a way that leads thoughtful readers to discover for themselves the point and purpose of each incident. For Luke is both historian and artist.

It has often been lamented that Christ’s public ministry on earth was so short-lived, and his death at the hands of his enemies a tragedy. But Luke will not have it so. Following Christ’s own statements, he divides his Gospel into two the coming of Christ from glory into our world, and his going back to glory. David Gooding shows that by arranging the events of each part into discreet stages and movements, Luke is proclaiming that Christ was carrying out a definite mission—his going, by way of his cross, resurrection and ascension was as deliberate as his coming.

With a profound understanding of both the Scriptures and the classical world that influenced Luke, this exposition leads us through the artistry of Luke's presentation. However familiar the terrain of this Gospel, we will find that having an experienced guide makes a difference. By bringing out the significance of the narrative as a whole, David Gooding’s analysis will help us to arrive at a confident understanding of Luke’s message and open up insightful lines of application at each step along the way.
_____________

According to Luke is an exceptionally valuable resource for reading and preaching the Third Gospel. David Gooding’s rare sense for narrative flow helps students and teachers see the wider context for each passage and makes this one of the best commentaries available for understanding the meaning of Luke. —Dr Philip G. Ryken

Insightful comments and warm and piercing pastoral application are the features of this writing. I try only to have three commentaries with me in any series and in both Luke and Acts, David Gooding’s commentaries are part of the trio. —David Cook

Professor Gooding’s exposition is a lively work, free from technicalities, in which he explains and vigorously applies its message for the contemporary reader. At the same time he throws fresh light on the way in which Luke constructed his gospel. Such a commentary does not go out of date. —I Howard Marshall

The pages of this book contain the freshest and most insightful understanding of Luke’s gospel that I have read. I couldn’t recommend this book more highly. —Rebecca Manley Pippert

Dr Gooding's unique commentary on Luke is a masterpiece for modeling accurate biblical interpretation. I would love to put this commentary in the hands of every serious Bible student. It is a must-read book. —Alexander Strauch

I have preached my way through Luke's Gospel in church, in radio broadcasts and in international conventions, and always David Gooding's commentary has been my first port of call when it comes to supportive resources. —The Rev Prebendary Richard Bewes, OBE

When I ask the interpretative question ‘Why has Luke placed this text here, and how does it relate to the material around it?’ I always turn to Dr Gooding for help. —Justin Mote

Commendation of the first

To this new exposition of the Gospel of Luke Dr Gooding brings a rare combination of spiritual insight, classical learning, and literary appreciation. The result is a fresh unfolding of Luke’s witness to Christ which the reader will find both heart-warming, informative and a pleasure to read. It gives me great pleasure to commend it unreservedly. —F F Bruce

Genres: Theology, Religion, Reference, Christian

444 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

David W. Gooding is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Greek at Queen's University, Belfast and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. His international teaching ministry is marked by fresh and careful expositions of both testaments. He has published scholarly studies on the Septuagint and Old Testament narratives, as well as expositions of Luke, John 13-17, Acts and Hebrews.

Reviews

[Frank Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another outstanding book by David Gooding. This is in essence a commentary on Luke. However, it is not a verse by verse commentary, but rather something much more interesting. Gooding brings out more out of the book, than I ever imagined that was present in the book. In particular, he outlines parallelism throughout the book, which he teaches is a first century form of historic commentary. I am convinced and thus recommend the book.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a helpful level of insight and detail without being lengthy and over-technical. It provides useful summary charts of events and their significance which enables parallels to be easily drawn and appreciated.

[Charity U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a good overview in a readable format for the Gospel of Luke. Has some unique ideas, and overall structure information - helpful in my teaching of Luke!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always consult this work when teaching or preaching on Luke’s gospel. Does not cover the entire gospel but has helpful insights on structure and themes.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing exposition of Luke's gospel, breaking the text down into a series of parallel passages. Sometimes this comes across as a little too clever for its own good, but on many occasions is really insightful. For example, I had not noticed the way that the birth narratives fall into pairs of events, which are themselves bracketed by the contrasting accounts of the old man Zechariah at the temple and the boy Jesus at the temple. Gooding's own style of presenting each section is extremely readable and summarises each section very clearly.

[Stephen Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Gooding demonstrates in this book just how meticulous Dr Luke chose the material for his gospel, and also how well he arranged it in order that his readers would know who Jesus is and what he came to do. You will know Luke better by reading this and what a great writer and historian he was, but more importantly the meaning of the good news of Jesus Christ will be clearer.

[Kathy Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

best