Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 18

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 18


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Luke 18

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Parable of the Widow and the Judge The Parable of the Persistent Widow The Unjust Judge The Parable of the Widow and the Judge The Unscrupulous Judge and the Importunate Widow Luk_18:1-8 Luk_18:1-8 Luk_18:1-8 Luk_18:1-5 Luk_18:1-5 Luk_18:6-8 Luk_18:6-8 The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Pharisee and Tax Collector The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luk_18:9-14 Luk_18:9-14 Luk_18:9-14 Luk_18:9-14 Luk_18:9-14 Little Children Blessed Jesus Blesses Little Children From Galilee to Jerusalem

(Luk_18:15 to Luk_19:27)

Blessing the Children Jesus Blesses Little Children Jesus and the Children Luk_18:15-17 Luk_18:15-17 Luk_18:15-17 Luk_18:15-17 Luk_18:15-17 The Rich Ruler Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler The Rich Ruler The Rich Man The Rich Aristocrat Luk_18:18-23 Luk_18:18-23 Luk_18:18-25 Luk_18:18 Luk_18:18-23 Luk_18:19-20 Luk_18:21 With God All Things are Possible Luk_18:22-23 The Danger of Riches Luk_18:24-30 Luk_18:24-30 Luk_18:24-25 Luk_18:24-27 Luk_18:26-27 Luk_18:26 Luk_18:27 The Reward of Renunciation Luk_18:28-30 Luk_18:28 Luk_18:28-30 Luk_18:29-30 A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection Jesus A Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection The Passion Foretold Again Jesus Speaks a Third Time About His Death Third Prophecy of the Passion Luk_18:31-34 Luk_18:31-34 Luk_18:31-34 Luk_18:31-33 Luk_18:31-34 Luk_18:34 The Healing of a Blind Beggar Near Jericho A Blind Man Receives His Sight A Blind Man Healed Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Entering Jericho: the Blind Man Luk_18:35-43 Luk_18:35-43 Luk_18:35-43 Luk_18:35-36 Luk_18:35-43 Luk_18:37 Luk_18:38 Luk_18:39 Luk_18:40-41 a Luk_18:41 b Luk_18:43 READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

A. In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) Jesus' teaching is often illustrated by parables.



B. Parables (OT mashal, BDB 605 II) take many forms.

1. proverb (Luk_4:23)

2. story (Luke 15, 16)

3. allegory (Luk_8:4-15)

4. simile (Luk_13:19; Luk_13:21; Luk_17:6)

5. contrast (Luk_11:5-13; Luk_18:1-8)



C. For guidelines on the interpretation of parables, see the introduction to Luke 8.



D. This chapter is connected by the question of saving faith.

1. First parable (Luk_18:1-8), will the Son of Man find faith (persistent, prayerful faith) when He returns?

2. Second parable (Luk_18:9-14), the wrong kind of faith (self-righteous) versus repentant faith (the sinner, tax collector).

3. Parabolic example (Luk_18:15-17), Jesus and childlike faith without which no one can enter the kingdom.

4. Parabolic example (Luk_18:18-30), priority faith (rich, young, moral ruler). Jesus and the Kingdom must be number one!

5. Jesus' sacrificial death (Luk_18:31-34) is the key to eternal life which is received by faith.

6. Prophetic example (Luk_18:35-43) of the blind receiving their sight (physical and spiritual), which is the work of the "suffering" Messiah by faith (cf. Luk_18:42).



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. What is the main theological thrust of the parable in Luk_18:2-8?

2. What is the parable of the Pharisee and the sinner meant to convey to us in our day?

3. Does the NT discuss the salvation of children?

4. What is the major truth of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luk_18:18-30?

5. Is Luk_18:19 a NT evidence that Jesus did not consider Himself to be God?

6. Why did the disciples not understand Jesus' words about His crucifixion and death when He told them so often about these things?