The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Two Healings, Lk 5,12-26

We saw in the overview how Luke has brought closer together the healings of the leper and the cripple which we are now reading. He has removed in 5,17 the entrance of Jesus into Capernaum which makes the break in Mark (Mk 2,1).

Read the story of two healings and then compare them closely with Mark's account. The main change as mentioned above is the closer link between the two incidents (5,17 & Mk 2,1). You will though find a whole array of other minor alterations of Mark by Luke which as we have seen earlier tell us much about his interests.

For leprosy, see Leviticus 13-14. The two chapters go into considerable detail and include the sacrifices required for purification.

What is perhaps unexpected about 5,12? What is surprising about Jesus'reaction in verse 13?

Where earlier in Mark do we find the equivalent of Luke's comment in 5,16? Why might Luke have made the comment here that he did not make earlier?

In verse 17, Luke introduces the Pharisees. Where do they appear in Mark's account? What is their importance for Luke? Consider also 5,21. What is said about Jesus in this verse?

What is the notable detail added by Luke in verse 18?

What is distinctive about the roof in verse 19? See Mk 2,4.

Ill health and sins are traditionally linked together. See Deuteronomy 5,9-10. Look at Mark 2,5 and then note how Luke changes Jesus' address to the sick man. (This point may be obscured by the translations; look for example at the NRSV as well as the NABRE footnote.)

Although Luke has omitted a detail from Mark 2,8, note that the point is still made in 5,22.

Verse 23 is then the heart of the matter, followed by verse 24 where "Son of Man" is found for the first time in this Gospel. For the background to this title, see Ezekiel 2,1 and Daniel 7,13.

What is the reaction of the man and the crowd in verses 25-26? What has Luke added to verse 26 (see 19,9)?

How do the people differ from their leaders?

Time to look at my response.

We can now move on to read about Levi, 5,27-39, and the centre of the cycle.