Luke: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

Part of the Interpretation Series of Bible commentaries, Craddock is well written and covers essentials of the gospel. He suggestes that Luke's narrative presentation of Jesus' life has echoes from the Old Testament and foreshadows Luke's continung narrative in Acts. There are not the exegetical foot notes found is some more comprehensive commentaries, making it, perhaps, more suitable for the lay teacher.

My retort to a review from Pastor who stopped reading Part Two, I find six sermon potentials in Part two of "The Ministry Of Jesus in Galilee!" Stories of Elijah & Elisha restoring life to young men make use of those daring comments: "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people," in the person of Jesus on p.97. Using these stories was a boost for sermons to prison inmates on the evenings before and after Death-Row Executions of the GD & CC or The GA Diagnostic Center for two years of 1991-1993. Also the Section of Luke 9:28-36, pp. 133-135.."as brief as it is" includes references to Ex. 24:12-18, Mark 9:2 & Ex 34:29-35. These describe reflections upon the Epiphany stories of the Transfiguration in the Gospels as related to the O.T. accounts of "the face of Moses shone" much like Jesus, as seen praying by the disciples! What appropriate illustrations to LUKE'S accounts of "the Transfiguration, the Baptism and the prayer-life of Jesus." Another outstanding example of Dr. Craddock's expertise comes in Part Four "The Journey To JERUSAMEM." In Luke 14:1-24 he gathers four disparate units of material by means of the context of a meal. These four stories do not depend on each other for meaning but it is important that they all occur "at table." Thus, "Table Talk was not only a fairly common literary device for gathering and disseminating discussions on a range of topics...provide the occasions for teachers to impart their wisdom." All of these comes from that Professor of New Testament and Preaching from EMORY UNIVERSITY, "one of the more liberal Seminaries." Joyfully from Retired Chap. Fred W Hood

Along with Green's commentary, Craddock, a master at preaching, makes available to pastors a tool for getting to the heart of Luke's message. While I may not always agree with Craddock's understanding of a text, more often than not he is right on.

I was surprised by this commentary. I don't like the Interpretation series generally-for its liberal tendencies-but this volumne is quite good. Craddock's interpretations are very illuminating. The commentary is short, but very thought-provoking.

It is always hard to write a commentary about a gospel. The stories we have heard in our youth leave us with one perspective, and the insecurities we have as adults (who cannot read Greek, Hebrew & Aramaic) many times keep us from developing another. But, Craddock makes Luke an accessible gospel despite the fact so many of the stories recorded in this gospel are so difficult to understand. For example, his breakdown of the influential 10th chapter helps provide the reader with a framework to discern how Jesus' misson to his followers was really an effort to help people come to realize that point where earthly knowledge must give way to faith. He does so by providing a context in which the various stories are written, and a suggestion as to why they are written. The Bible can be a difficult book to study for ministers, much less for laymen. But, Craddock opens a door that makes the stories in Luke so much more alive, and therefore, so much more meaningful, for the student. While it is a commentary for preachers and teachers, it is really a framework for anyone who wishes to learn more.