Reading the Gospels Together The Storyline of Luke’s Gospel – Part 12 At this point Luke has reached what is often spoken of as the “Passion Narrative” – the story of the betrayal and death of Jesus. Luke will again follow Mark quite closely with a few modifications. Like Mark, Luke provides his readers with information regarding when this all happened. The time of Passover was near. It is significant that Luke omits the story of a woman anointing Jesus for his burial. We noted earlier that he likely takes that story and moves it forward in his narrative to tell the story of the woman who comes into the house of the Pharisee, Simon and is used by Jesus as an example of great love. Luke now tells how Judas decides to betray Jesus just as Mark had done, but Luke adds mystery and drama to Judas telling his readers that Satan had entered his heart. Luke will attribute much more to Satan than any other of the synoptic gospel writers and agree more with John who also attributes Judas’ actions more to the power of Satan than anything else. Luke follows Mark in the story of the preparation for Passover and, like Mark, again gives the time marker of saying that this took place on the day when the Passover lambs were slaughtered which would have been Thursday. Luke is much more definite about Jesus actually eating the Passover supper with his disciples telling his readers who Jesus had longed for this moment. There can be no doubt in Luke’s mind that this was in fact the Passover. Luke does modify Mark’s story a little by speaking of the cup first followed by the bread and then followed by a second cup. Actually in the Passover meal several cups were used so Luke may be reflecting a bit more of the actual event than Mark did. At the end of the supper Luke inserts some material into Mark’s storyline about the disciples arguing about who was the greatest and they are chastised by Jesus who then tells them that they will reign on twelve thrones over the twelve tribes of Israel. Only Luke provides this material. Luke now begins to move the scene to Gethsemane just as Mark had and tells of Jesus prediction that Peter will deny Jesus. Luke again adds mystery to the drama by telling how Satan has been given permission to sift the good from the bad. Again the role of Satan is added by Luke. And just as they are arriving at Gethsemane Luke adds a comment that remembers the missionary journey of earlier and then invites his disciples to now take the necessary provisions and to even take a sword. They have two and that is enough. Luke tells his readers that all of this is necessary to fulfill the scripture. At Gethsemane Luke will follow Mark again quite closely; however, he changes Mark’s picture of the disciples nearly excusing them for falling asleep since they are so overcome with grief. Luke softens Mark’s condemnation of Jesus’ followers putting them in a much more favorable light. The arrest of Jesus follows Mark’s storyline as does the report that Jesus is brought to the house of the high priest and the report of Peter’s denial. Following Mark, Jesus is found guilty of blasphemy in the hearing before the council and is delivered to Pilate. At this point Luke inserts a story of Jesus being sent to Herod Antipas once Pilate hears that Jesus is from Galilee. Only Luke mentions Herod Antipas in the proceeding. Once back in the custody of Pilate, Luke weaves his story to have Pilate three times declare Jesus to be innocent. Something John will also do. The story is similar to Mark’s but shaped in a little different way. Once Jesus condemned, Luke tells the story of the crucifixion in a similar way that Mark did. Luke; however, paints the scene in different colors and places three words on the lips of Jesus. First, Jesus forgives those who crucify him. Second, Luke inserts that story of a conversation between the two insurrectionists crucified with Jesus with one of them siding with Jesus and asking to be with Jesus in paradise. He is promised that he will indeed be with Jesus. And Luke omits Mark’s cry on the lips of Jesus when Jesus says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” In its place Luke tells his readers that Jesus dies with the words, “Father! Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Mark had told his readers that after Jesus had breathed his last the curtain of the Temple was torn in two. Luke tells his readers that the curtain is torn just before Jesus speaks his last words – as if the tearing of the curtain made God accessible for Jesus to place himself in God’s hands. Luke also reports to his readers that the Roman soldier, upon seeing the Jesus is dead, says to those around, “Certainly this man was innocent” instead of Mark’s report that the soldier said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” And Luke tells his readers that those who witnessed the crucifixion went home beating their breasts in agony at what they had done – apparently they agree with the Roman solider, Jesus was innocent. But now what could they do? Mark had removed all the male followers of Jesus from the scene and mentioned that some women saw at a distance. Luke changes Mark’s storyline to include not only the women but others who were almost certainly the male followers. Once again Luke is putting the disciples in a far more favorable light. The burial of Jesus in Luke’s gospel follows Mark almost exactly. Luke does emphasize that the woman rested on the Sabbath – they are faithful Jews and recall the way in which Luke had brought people like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna into the scene. There were faithful Jews who followed Jesus.