Luke 9:21-18:34: Word Biblical Commentary [WBC]

In this first volume, Dr. Nolland expertly traced Jesus' general ministry throughout Palestine. Here the focus nar- rows to an incisive statement of Jesus' purpose as the suf- fering Servant, and to the fate that this will mean for Him in Jerusalem. Now the author invites us to follow Christ's footsteps on what will ultimately turn out to be His 'path- way to glory.' Dr. Nolland continues to portray Luke as a creative but re liable historian with an explicit theological purpose. While he probes possible sources of the evangelist's material, the emphasis is on the final product--the Gospel text as 'an exercise in communication, deliberately undertaken by the Gospel writer with at least some focused sense of the actual or potential needs of his audience.' The author notes the dramatic turn of events with which this section of Luke begins. The disciples had just arrived at the exhilirating confession that Jesus is 'The Christ of God.' And little wonder--up to now.