Westminster Annotations, Luke 1
The ARGUMENT of the Gospel according to S. LƲKE.
THe Gospel is the gladsome tydings of Salvation by Christ: This Gospel (as the Penman his self interpreteth, Act. 1. 1.) is the History of those things that Jesus began to do and teach, untill the day that he was taken up, &c. That is as much thereof, as God saw good to Record by his Ministery: That (as the other Evangelist saith) we might beleeve that Jesus is the Christ theJoh. 20. 30, 31. Son of God, and that in beleeving, we might have life through his Name. This Sacred History was dictated by the Holy Ghost, whose Penman was Luke.
Luke was of Antioch in Syria, by profession a Physitian, (Colos. 4. 14.) he was a follower and faithfull Assistant of Paul (2 Tim. 4. 11.) and so became also a Physitian for the soul: But who was the first Ministeriall means of his Conversion, is not certain: Some think he was one of the 70. Disciples: And that other unnamed, Luke 24. 18. who with Cleophas, after Christs Resurrection, went to Emaus: If so, he had had Christ the best Teacher: But others think Paul converted him at Thebes: But his self best sheweth in his Preface, what Instructers he had, th…se who from the beginning were Eye-witnesses and Ministers of the same Gospel: Whence it is evident, that Luk. 1. 2some of the Apostles instructed him in the Mysteries of Salvation by Christ, and faithfully related to him this whole Story.
Matthew it seems wrote to the Hebrews, and the other three Evangelists to the Gentiles in the Greek tongue, wherein Luke in an Elegant stile, dedicateth two excellent Peeces (this Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles) unto Theophilus an honourable person, and in him to all the faithfull, who are lovers of God.
The occasion of his writing (whether he were incited thereto by Peter, as some think, or by Paul as others) was (that which he declareth in his Preface) for as much as many have taken in hand to set forth the Story of those things, whereof we are fully perswaded—it seemed goodLuk. 1. 1 also to me—&c. Thus God by the unanimous consent of a sufficient number of Witnesses (writing at divers places, and times) pleased to confirm the Truth of the Gospel unto us.
Concerning the Matter and Subject of this Gospel, we must know, that the Evangelist purposed to declare, That Jesus the Son of the Virgin Mary, was that Promised Seed (whose fore-running Messenger was John Baptist, according to the Prophesies:) Whose admirable Conception by the Holy Ghost, made not against the Trueth of his humane Nature, and Nativity, according to the Flesh: Who in the fulnesse of time (the Scepter being departed from Judah) in the fourty two yeer of the reign of Augustus Caesar, was born in Bethleem Judah, grew up to mans stature and perfection, undertook his publike Ministery and Office of the Messiah, shewing himself in Doctrine and Miracles, (specially in his glorious Resurrection from the dead, and Ascension into Heaven) truely God and man, in Unitie of Person, the Saviour and Redeemer of the Elect: All which he relateth in this order.
1. In the three first Chapters he rehearseth his Conception, Nativity, and the Witnesses thereof; to which he annexeth his Genealogie.
2. From the fourth Chapter to the tenth, he setteth down the preparation to his Ministery, in his tentation, the beginning of his Preaching, Miracles, Ordination of Apostles, Transfiguration on the Mount, and departure out of Galilee.
3. From the tenth Chapter to the twentieth, he recordeth what Christ did in his last passage towards Jerusalem.
4. In the twentieth, and the following Chapter, he telleth what he Taught in the Temple, his Disputes with the Pharisees and Saduces, as also of the destruction of the City and Republike of Israel, where he inserteth somethings concerning his second coming to Judgement.
5. Thence he cometh to the History of his Passion, Chap. 22, 23. The conclusion and lowest degree of his Obedience and Humiliation.
6. The last Chapter containeth the Trueth of his Resurrection, his Apparitions to his Disciples, specially the two▪ going to Emaus, and his glorious Ascension into Heaven, the assured Pledge of our interest therein, whereof he hath in our nature taken Livery and Seisin.