Luke
Gabriel Announces John’s Birth
Luke takes us back to the time before John the Baptist was conceived, and introduces us to his parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth who were unable to have children. Zacharias was a priest, and he was serving for about a two week period in the Temple (vv. 8- 11). King David …
Messengers from John the Baptist
John the Baptist was cast into prison shortly after he introduced Christ to Israel. He was put there for speaking out against the adulterous relationship King Herod was having with his brother’s wife, Herodias. This time period can be outlined as follows: Confusion ( …
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
The apostles plus other believers met together to discuss what had happened and as they shared with each other, Jesus Himself appeared in the room (v.36). As Jesus stood in their midst, he said to them, “Peace be unto you.” Instead of becoming excited and singin …
Peter Denies Knowing Jesus
Jesus was given six different “trials” (three before the Jewish religious leaders and three before the Roman authorities) before He was condemned to die on a cross. First He was taken to Annas, who was a retired high priest and a very influential Jew (Jn. 18:12-13 …
Jesus Teaching on Prayer
These verses contain what is commonly called the “Lord’s Prayer,” also found in Matthew 6:9-13. It should really be called the “disciples prayer,” because Jesus could not pray it Himself since it says: “Forgive us our sins,” and Jesus cou …
The Imprisonment of John
The crowds who had come to hear John preach began to wonder if he could possibly be the Christ (v. 15). In answering them John the Baptist clearly stated that he was not their Messiah, but only His forerunner (vv. 16-17). He goes on to say that the Messiah, soon to come …
Jesus is Circumcised
Luke tells us that eight days after the Baby was born, He was circumcised and given the name “Jesus,” just as the angel had said (v. 21). Every boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day after his birth (Lev. 12:3; Luke 1:59-60). Circumcision symbolized the Jews’ …
Jesus Appears on the Road to Emmaus
As this scene opens we find two men walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which was about eight miles northwest of Jerusalem (vv. 13-17). These men were disciples (not apostles), and one of them was named Cleopas (v. 18). As they walked they were discussing the events of the pa …
Religious Leaders Challenge Jesus Authority
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to know what authority Jesus had to cast money-changers out of the temple (vv. 1-2). This group of leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus so they tried to trap Him with their question. They wanted to catch Him in His words so that no matter …
The Temptation of Christ
Before I made a trip to Israel I used to think of the wilderness mentioned in the Bible as a huge forest. However, I found out it was just barren land with lots of rocks. It is thought that the place where Jesus was first tempted is a barren area northwest of the dead sea and …