THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND ACTS | 1521
completed would have been just after Paul’ s Roman imprisonment( Ac 28:11 – 31) in the early 60s. Another view dates the writing of Luke – Acts to the 80s or 90s. This possibility rests mainly on the belief that its author was aware of the destruction of Jerusalem( AD 70). Moreover, Luke’ s Gospel appears to be an attempt to address early Chris tian anxieties over the so-called delay of the Parousia, or second coming of Christ( see Mt 24:27). On the assumption that such anxieties presented themselves( a debated issue), they must have done so measurably later than the writing of Mark or even Matthew.
Luke – Acts have their own distinctive style and offer their own unique contribution to the New Testament. The texts contain very polished Greek; their rich allusiveness( to both pagan and Jewish sources) and attention to historical detail( such as in the travelogue of Paul’ s journey to Rome in Ac 27 – 28) betray a well-educated author writing for a well-educated audience. Judging by the prologues( Lk 1:1 – 4; Ac 1:1 – 2), which are modeled on the prologues of other serious Greek historical works, it can be concluded that the author wished to be understood as an equally serious historian. Addressing both the Gospel and Acts to one Theophilus( Lk 1:3; Ac 1:1), Luke announces his intention of rooting the story of Jesus and the early church firmly within history. Thus, Luke – Acts as a whole not only carries out an apologetic function— confirming the factual validity of the church’ s proclamation— but also offers a founding account of the identity of an expanding and increasingly diversified movement. The outworking of that story is consistently tied back to the sovereign purposes of God, the reign of the risen Christ, the activity of the Holy Spirit, and the character and mission of the church. In addition to these themes, the author of Luke – Acts maintains a distinctive interest in prayer, hospitality, the poor and salvation( Lk 2:11; 4:21; 19:10; 23:43; Ac 1:14; 2:42 – 47; 4:12,32 – 35; 28:28).
THREE GOSPELS, ONE PORTRAIT
Together, the Synoptic Gospels offer a compelling and mutually enriching portrait of Jesus. Although readers have not always agreed on the meaning of the Gospels, all can agree that were it not for Matthew, Mark and Luke, we would know very little about the historical Jesus or his kingdom message. It is thus hardly by chance that the earliest compilers of the New Testament Canon chose to begin not with the earliest-written books but with those books that tell the lead story: the Synoptic Gospels.
Nicholas Perrin