Luke

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Sep 1998 by Blomberg, Craig L

Luke. By Darrell L. Bock. 2 volumes. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994,1996, xx 2148 pp., $75.00.

What could any writer possibly do to justify yet another megacommentary on Luke, after the increasingly prodigious outputs of Marshall, Fitzmyer and Nolland? One could begin by devising a user-friendly format. First, divide the treatment of each pericope into seven parts: (1) an overview of the passage, including its fit in Luke's narrative flow; (2) a discussion of sources and historicity, complete with running interaction with the Jesus Seminar (even more than they deserve); (3) a discussion of form and structure; (4) the author's translation; (5) a detailed verse-by-verse commentary divided by clearly labeled subtitles according to the passage's outline; (6) a summary of the passage's meaning and key themes; and (7) additional notes, particularly dealing with textual criticism.

Then add gray background to separate off various sections from each other, use large, clear typeface, and change the fonts in different sections. Create running headers that show exactly where in Luke's outline one is at any given time. Limit documentation to parenthetical author-date notes within the text and reserve footnotes for content items. Revise the writing style repeatedly until the English is crisp, clear and succinct. Indent and enumerate all the options for the main exegetical cruxes in each passage and judiciously assess their strengths and weaknesses, never engaging in polemics. Scatter around the commentary 12 helpful excursuses on such topics as Quirinius' census, the genealogies in Matthew and Luke, interpreting parables, and Luke's "Great Omission." Conclude with 56 pages of bibliography and 126 pages of indices of subjects, authors, and ancient sources. Finally, adopt a thoroughgoing conservative perspective on the text that falls well within North American definitions of inerrancy. Accept many of the traditional harmonizations of the so-called contradictions among the gospels, while recognizing that the literary conventions of the day allowed the evangelists to arrange their material thematically and incorporate the "gist" of people's speech as an accurate summary of their words.

Astonishingly, Darrell Bock has done all this. The 2170-page commentary should leave little doubt as to lock's worthiness to be the first-ever research professor (of New Testament) in the history of Dallas Seminary. A comparatively modest 48-page introduction begins the volume. Bock defends traditional views: Luke is Paul's traveling companion and probably a doctor, writing to primarily Gentile Christians in the early to mid-60s, to edify and encourage them in light of the increasing separation of Christianity from Judaism. Bock cautiously accepts Mark, Q and L as Luke's primary sources. But he is convinced the solution to the synoptic problem is more complex. Almost every time Luke has seemingly paralleled material in a different context than Mark or Matthew, Bock invokes the likelihood of special sources. In his treatment of historicity, he consistently adopts the correct stance on the burden of proof: Instead of feeling compelled to argue from a position of skepticism via the criteria of authenticity, he notes the objections scholars have raised and answers them one by one. He finds the outline of Luke to be largely chronological and geographical, with the major sections consisting of 1:1-2:52, 3:1-4:13, 4:14-9:50, 9:51-19:44 and 19:45-24:53. A concise summary of Luke's theology completes the commentary's introduction. A tiny sample of Bock's exegetical highlights may be offered. A regal, Davidic Messiah plays a more prominent role in Luke's Christology than is often acknowledged, particularly in chaps. :L-2 and in Luke's use of the OT. Bock's dispensationalism is very moderate: The kingdom was inaugurated with Jesus' advent, but political redemption is what was delayed. In 2:7, Jesus was laid in a "feed-trough" because there was no room for him in the "guest room." Christ as Lord (e.g. 2:11) acknowledges "the absolute sovereignty and divine relationship that Jesus possesses" (p. 218). In his debates with the Jewish leaders, Jesus advocates "a restricted hierarchical ethic" (p. 525). The sermon on the plain deletes much of Matthew's account because Luke has no interest in Jewish, legal matters. The Lukan beatitudes and woes nicely balance a socioeconomic with a spiritual dimension. Bock recognizes the need for a controlled allegorical interpretation in numerous parables and the fact that many make more than one point. Jesus' miracles contain parabolic significance as pointers to who Jesus is. That some will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God (9:27) may refer to the transfiguration plus Jesus' resurrection and the subsequent events that inaugurated God's kingdom.

Luke's central section is a thematically arranged collection of teaching from Jesus' final phase of ministry-not a straight-line journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. The parable of the good Samaritan points to the priority of racial reconciliation. The friend at midnight is bold, not importunate (11:8). The mustard seed and leaven are both positive metaphors of the kingdom's surprising growth. The turning point of this central section comes in 13:31-14:35, in which the country as a whole rejects Jesus' Messiahship. Yet Luke holds out the hope of a future for national Israel in 13:35; 21:24, 28; 22:28-30. A generous and compassionate use of riches is a recurring theme in these middle chapters, but God favors the outcast more than the merely poor. The unjust steward removes either the interest or his commission from his master's bills (16:1-8). Luke 17:21 should be translated as the kingdom of God is "among" you or "in your presence."