Greek 411R: Luke-Acts

Dr. Eric D. Huntsman

Asst. Professor of Ancient Scripture

316-L JSB, ext. 2-3359

eric_huntsman@byu.edu, http://www.erichuntsman.com

Fall 2007 Syllabus

Course Description: This term Greek 411R will study the writings attributed to the figure Luke, namely the Third Gospel and the Book of Acts. Although Matthew is divided into more chapters, Luke’s account of the ministry of Jesus Christ is the longest of the four canonical gospels in actual length. Together with Acts, which is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, the books written by Luke comprise roughly one quarter of our current New Testament. Luke’s gospel is a major source for our understanding of Jesus’ ministry and the progress of the early Church. More importantly, it provides a carefully crafted account of our Lord’s life and mission "to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10) that includes many well-know and much-beloved episodes. Together with the Book of Acts, the Gospel of Luke provides a singular presentation of what Conzelmann first dubbed Heilsgeschichte or "salvation history."

We shall begin our study by first exploring the nature of the received text—including its language, transmission, and generic form—and shall then discuss some of the major themes of the gospel, particularly those issues and constituencies—such as women, Gentiles, the poor—that are central to Luke’s gospel and the piece of apologetic historiography known as "The Acts of the Apostles," even though it is actually only some of the acts of some of the apostles. The bulk of the semester will be engaged in translating and studying the Lucan corpus. Unless otherwise noted, all primary readings will be done in Greek.

 

  • Origins and Nature of the New Testament: Brown INT, 3–47. Luke and the Third Gospel: Anderson, "The Testimony of Luke," SS 5, 88–108; Brown INT, 99–122, 262–275; I. Howard Marshall, "Luke" and Luke Timothy Johnson, "Luke-Acts, Book of," ABD 4.397–414, 417–418; Marshall, 13–76; Tannehill, 19–32. See also: Reid, 1–20; Esler, 1–30. Luke’s Prologue. Luke 1:1–4.
    •

     

  • Annunciations: Luke 1:5–38; Reid, 55–70 (Elizabeth and Mary); Tannehill, 33–51. See also: Brown BM, 235–329.
    •

     

  •  Magnificat, Benedictus: Luke 1:39–80; Reid, 70–85 (Elizabeth and Mary); Tannehill, 51–63. See also: Brown BM, 330–392.

    •  

  • Infancy, Nunc Demittis, Childhood: Luke 2; Esler, 110–114; Reid, 86–95 (Anna); Tannehill, 63–77. See also: Brown BM, 393–496.
    •

     

  • The Beginnings of the Mission: Luke 3:1–4:44; Esler, 30–45 (n.b. the pious Gentile), 164–187 (the poor); Reid, 96–102 (Peter’ mother-in-law); Tannehill, 77–99.
    •

     

  • Disciples and Apostles; Scribes and Pharisees: Luke 5:1–6:16; Esler, 114–122; Tannehill, 99–113.
    •

     

  • The Sermon on the Plain; The Compassion of Jesus: Luke 6:17–7:50; Marshall, 116–156; Reid, 103–123 (widow of Nain; woman showing great love); Tannehill, 99–134. Quiz #1.
    •

     

  • Disciples, Women, and the Twelve: Luke 8:1–9:17; Reid, 124–143 (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna; Jairus’ daughter, woman hemorrhaging); Tannehill, 134–157.
    •

     

  • Transfiguration; Weakness of the Disciples; the Good Samaritan; Choosing "the Better Part": Luke 9:18–10:42; Matthews SS 5, 305–311 (transfiguration and keys; see D&C 110); Reid, 144–162 (Mary and Martha); Tannehill, 157–187.
    •

     

  • The Lord’s Prayer; Discourse to the Crowd I: Luke 11:1–12:34; Tannehill, 187–210.
    •

     

  • Discourse to the Crowd II; The Perean Ministry Begins; Discourse at Dinner: Luke 12:35–14:35; Reid, 163–178 (bent woman, woman mixing dough); Tannehill, 210–235.
    •

     

  • Parables of the Lost and Found; Warnings about Wealth: Luke 15:1–16:31; Draper SS 5, 262–278; Reid, 179–189 (woman searching for lost coin); Tannehill, 235–254.
    •

     

  • Assorted Teachings; The Samaritan Leper; Realized and Final Eschatology. Luke 17:1–18:30; Marshall, 77–115; Reid, 190–194 (persistent woman); Tannehill, 254–272.
    •

     

  • The Blind Beggar; Zacchaeus; Lament over Jerusalem; Triumphal Entry; Cleansing of the Temple: Luke 18:31–20:19; Tannehill, 272–287.
    •

     

  • Teachings in the Temple; Eschatological Discourse: Luke 20:20–21:38; Reid, 195–197 (widow who gives all); Tannehill, 287–309. Quiz #2.
    •

     

  • The Last Supper and Gethsemane: Luke 22:1–46; D&C 19:15–24; Millet SS 5, 430–439; Tannehill, 310–330. See also: Brown DM, 107–660, n.b. 184–190.

    •  

  • Trial and Crucifixion: Luke 22:47–23:56; Tannehill, 331–347. See also: Brown DM, 665–1313.
    •

     

  • Resurrection: Luke 24; Reid, 198–204 (women at the cross and at the tomb); Tannehill, 348–364.

    • MIDTERM EXAMINATION

    Th18–F19Oct; late Sa20Oct

    (Testing Center, check https://testing.byu.edu/info/center_hours.php for hours)

     

  • Luke and the Book of Acts. Matthews, "Unto All Nations," SS 6, 24–44; Brown INT, 279–332; Luke Timothy Johnson, "Luke-Acts, Book of," ABD 4.414–418; Bruce, 3–16; Witherington, 1–39, 51–77.
    •

     

     

     

  • Peter and John’s First Miracle and Trial. Acts 3:1–4:22.Bruce, 76–97; Witherington,
    •

     

  • Life and Trials of the Jerusalem Church. Believers Pray for Boldness. Second summary: All things in common . Ananias1 and Sapphira. Third Summary: Apostles Heal Many. Apostles Are Persecuted. Fourth Summary: Praise and Worship. Acts 4:23–5:42. Bruce, 97–118; Witherington, 199–240.
    •

     

  • Seven Chosen to Serve. Fifth Summary: Progress Report. Martyrdom of Stephen. Acts 6:8–8:1a.
    •

     

  • Persecution Scatters the Church. The Gospel Preached in Samaria. Philip and the Ethiopian Official. The Preparation of Saul. Acts 8:1b–9:30.
    •

     

  • Sixth Summary: Churches Have Rest. Peter’s Demonstrations of the Power of God. Cornelius. The Gentiles Receive the Spirit and Baptism. Acts 9:31–10:48.

    •  

  • Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem. Seventh Summary: Gospel Spreads among the Jews of the Diaspora. Barnabas Sent to Antioch. Agabus Prophesies Famine. Herod Agrippa I Renews Persecution of the Jerusalem Church. Acts 11:1–12:25.
    •

     

  • Summary: The Word of God Grew and Multiplied. Barnabas and Saul Called. Cyprus. Pisidian Antioch. Acts 13:1–50. Paul in Acts. Porter, 98–109.
    •

     

  • Iconium. Lystra. Return to Syrian Antioch. The Jerusalem Council on Gentile Christians. Acts 14:1–15:35.
    •

     

  • Paul and Barnabas Separate. Paul travels through Asia Minor to Troas. Philippi. Acts 15:36–16:40. The "We" Passages in Acts. Porter, 27–42, 47–66.
    •

     

  • Uproar in Thessalonika . Berea. Paul’s speech at Athens. Corinth. Final Travels of the Second Mission. Acts 17:1–18:23. Porter, 118–125, 141–150.
    •

     

     

  • Farewell Counsel to the Ephesian Elders. Paul in Jerusalem. Acts 20:13–21:26.
    •

     

  • Paul Arrested in the Temple. Paul and the Sanhedrin. The Lord Comforts Paul. Acts 21:27–23:11.

    •  

  • The Plot to Kill . Paul in —Trials before Felix and Festus. Paul Appeals to Caesar. Acts 23:12–25:12.
    •

     

  • Paul Before Herod Agrippa II. Acts 25:13–26:32.
    •

     

  • Paul Sails for Rome. Acts 27:1–28:10. Paul in Rome. Acts 28:11–31. Luke’s Theology and the Current State of Lucan Studies: Marshall, 216–235; Reid, 205–207.
    •