Luke 3 and 4

1. 3:1-9; 15-17 How did John the Baptist prepare the way for Christ?
   Comments:
   v. 3 He preached a baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
   v. 8 – He preached the importance of bearing fruit.
   v. 16 – He prophesied of one coming who was greater than he was, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Though the fire is one of judgment, it is also a cleansing fire, one that separates believers from unbelievers.
   From William Hendricksen’s commentary: “Making paths straight, filling valleys, bringing mountain and hills low, making rough ways smooth” refers to breaking down every barrier between people and the Messiah. John helped “smooth” the way to the Son of God.
2. 3:10-14 What advice did John give to people about their sins?
   Comments: CB Note: The question they ask, “What shall we do then?” may be more about bearing fruit than sin.
   v. 10 To the people: Share with the needy – both clothing and food
   v. 13 To the tax collectors: Don’t extort money
   v. 14 To the soldiers: Don’t intimidate or accuse false; be content with your wages.
3. 3:18-20 Why were John’s good tidings bad news to Herod?
   Comments: John rebuked him for living with his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herodias had been married to her father’s half-brother, Herod Philip. Their daughter was Salome. Then she took up with another half-uncle, Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
4. 3:21-23 What was revealed at Jesus’ baptism? How old was he?
   Comments: That He was the Son of God, who was pleased with Jesus. Jesus was 30 years old at the time.
5. 3:23-38 List not more than five men from the genealogy of Christ and tell of their significance in Jewish history.
   Comments: v. 31 – David – 3rd king of Israel; v. 32 – Boaz, David’s great-grandfather by Ruth; v. 33 – Judah – The 4th son of Jacob, and the one through the Messiah would come; v. 36 – Shem – Son of Noah through whom the tribes of Israel would come. Matthew’s genealogy in Chapter 1 is Joseph’s ancestry, through David’s son Solomon. This one is Mary’s, through David’s son Nathan.
6. 4:1-13 What experience did Jesus go through immediately after His baptism? How did he deal with it?
   Comments: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, then he fasted for 40 days. The devil tempted him to 1) turn stones to bread; 2) worship him; 3) throw himself off the temple to prove his divinity. Jesus answered each time with a scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3); “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve (Deuteronomy 6:13); and “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16).
7. 4:14-32 How was Jesus received in the region of Galilee? In his hometown of Nazareth? In Capernaum?
   Comments: v. 15 – In Galilee, he was glorified by them all. vv. 16-30 – In Nazareth, first they marveled at his gracious words,  then they grew angry enough to throw him off a cliff,  after being compared unfavorably to Gentiles. vv. 31-37 – In Capernaum they were astonished at how he spoke with such authority.
8. 4:16-21 What did He claim for Himself in the Nazareth synagogue?
   Comments: That he was the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 61:1.2.
9. 4:33-42 List some of the good works He performed in Galilee.
   Comments: vv. 33-35 – He cleansed a man with a demon; v. 38 – He healed Simon’s (Peter’s) wife’s mother. v. 40 – He healed diseases, cast out demons.
10. 4:43-44 What did Jesus consider His most important work?
    Comments: To preach the kingdom of God.

Luke 1 and 2

1. 1:1-4 Why was the book written?
   Comments: v. 4 - So that Theophilus would know the truth about the things about which he had been instructed.
   
2. 1:5-25 What was John’s mission to be, according to the angel?
   Comments: 1) To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. [The NRSV translates “fathers” as “parents.”]
   2) To turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous; and
   3) To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
   
3. 1:26-38 What were the three reactions Mary had as the angel revealed the message from God to her?
   Comments: 1) She was afraid (implied, because the angel told her not to fear);
   2) She was perplexed, or troubled;
   3) She was curious – “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
   4) She was accepting. “Let it be to me according to your word.”
   Note the difference between her question, “How can this be….” and Zechariah’s question in 1:18 – “How will I know that this is so?” He questioned the truthfulness of the question, while Mary questioned the mechanics.
   
4. 1:39-56 What does Mary’s song of praise reveal about her character?
   Comments: She was a joyful, willing servant. She was submissive, devout, and grateful for her place in history.
   
5. 1:57-80 What was John’s mission to be, according to his father?
   Comments: v. 76 – To prepare the way of the Lord;
   v. 77 – to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
   
6. 2:1-7 Why did Joseph and Mary have to go to Bethlehem?
   Comments: To register (for paying taxes). Joseph was a descendant of David, and Bethlehem was the City of David.
   
7. 2:8-20 What did the heavenly host say to the shepherds?
   Comments: v. 10 – The angel told them not to fear, that he was bringing them good news.
   v. 14 – The heavenly host praised God, pronouncing peace among those whom God favored. The heavenly host was an army of angels – perhaps thousands.
   
8. 2:21-24 To whom was Jesus presented as a baby?
   Comments: v. 22 – To the Lord. It seems ironic, but of course that was part of the Jewish law, to present the firstborn to God (v. 23; Numbers 18:15).
   
9. 2:25-39 What was prophesied of him in Jerusalem?
   Comments: vv. 29-32 – He would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel.
   v. 34 – He was destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, revealing the thoughts of many.
   v. 35 – A sword would pierce Mary’s soul.
   Note: This is the first reference to Christ’s suffering and death. It may also be the first reference – in the life of Jesus, anyway – that the “light” would be available to all nations, not just the Jews.
   
10. What happened in this chapter that Mary “pondered in her heart”?
    Comments: If we consider that Mary pondered all that happened, not just the thing previous (2:51 – “She pondered all these things in her heart”), we would have this list:
    1:33 – Gabriel’s pronouncement that she would bear the Son of God;
    1:44 – John’s leaping in the womb when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting;
    2:19 – What the shepherds told Mary;
    2:34, 35 – Simeon’s prophecy;
    2:51 – Jesus’ time in the temple, taking care of his Father’s interests.