Autors

Autora vārds šajā grāmatā nav minēts, bet daudzas lietas norāda uz to, ka tas ir Lūkas. Lūkas ev. un Ap.d. gr. ir saistītas grāmatas, abas adresētas vienam cilvēkam - Teofīlam, un otrā grāmata atsaucas uz pirmo grāmatu (Ap.d. 1:1). Tā kā atsevišķas daļas Ap.d. gr. lieto personu vietniekvārdu "mēs" (Ap.d. 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28,16), tad tas norāda uz to, ka šo grāmatu autors bija kopā ar Pāvilu aprakstīto notikumu laikā. No iespējamajiem kandidātiem, kas varētu būt šīs grāmatas sarakstījis, Lūkas ir visiespējamākais kandidāts (Lūka, 2.Tim. 4:11; "mīļais ārsts Lūka", Kol. 4:14; darba biedrs, Filem. 24).

Iespējams, ka Lūkas bija nejūds (pagāns), labi izglītots grieķu kultūrā, ārsts, ap. Pāvila pavadonis dažādos laika posmos sākot no ap. Pāvila 2.misijas ceļojuma līdz viņa apcietinājumam Romā (Ap.d. 28:16). Viņš bija uzticīgs Pāvila draugs, kas palika kopā ar Pāvilu tad, kad citi bija Pāvilu atstājuši (2.Tim. 4:11)

Lūkas, ārsts. Lai gan no tā vārdu krājuma, kuru lieto Ap.d. gr. autors, nevar pierādīt, ka tas bijis ārsts, tie vārdi, kurus viņš lieto, izglītība, kuru atspoguļo viņa rakstītais, pieļauj to, ka autors ir ārsts (28:6 "uztūks" - lietots parastais medicīniskais termins iekaisuma apzīmēšanai; JD to lieto vienīgi Lūkas). Protams, ka 1.gs. ārstam nebija īpašs medicīnisku vārdu krājums, kā tas ir šodien, bet atsevišķu vārdu lietošana Lk. ev. un Ap.d. gr. liek domāt, ka kāds ārsts varētu būt šo grāmatu autors. Jāatceras, ka Pāvils lieto terminu "ārsts", runājot par Lūku (Kol. 4:14).

Adresāti

Šis evaņģēlijs ir adresēts Teofīlam (Lk. 1:3), kura vārds nozīmē "Dieva mīlētājs". Ir uzskats, ka šis evaņģēlijs nav adresēts vienam cilvēkam, bet visiem, kas mīl Dievu. Tomēr tas, ka Teofīls uzrunāts kā cienījamais (1:3), norāda, ka runa ir par vienu cilvēku, kā arī ka šis cilvēks bijis Romas valsts ierēdnis vai vismaz augsti stāvošs un bagāts cilvēks.

Sarakstīšanas nolūks

Evaņģēlijs bija domāts kā mācība Teofīlam (1:4) un arī tiem, kuru starpā šī grāmata tiktu lietota. Protams, evaņģēlijs bija domāts visiem kristiešiem. Ja ņemam vērā to, ka Lūkas bija ciešs ap. Pāvila līdzgaitnieks (pagānu apustulis), tad tās vietas, kuras šajā evaņģēlijā runā par to, ka Jēzus ir visu cilvēku Pestītājs, ir labs atbalsts ap. Pāvila darbībai pagānu starpā.

Varētu būt vēl viens liels iemesls šī evaņģēlija sarakstīšanai, proti, Pāvila aizstāvībai Romā. Lk. ev. un Ap.d. gr. ir viena autora darbs, kas šo darbu ir sarakstījis 2 rakstu rituļos (šo raksturu rituļu materiāls parasti bija tik liels, ka uz tā derētu viena no šīm grāmatām; tāpēc arī ir divas grāmatas: Lk. ev. un Ap.d., jo tās nesatilpa vienā ritulī). Ap.d. gr. beidzas ar laiku pirms Pāvila tiesas, un gan Lk. ev., gan Ap.d. gr. rādīts, ka Romas varas pārstāvji nesaskatīja neko sliktu kristietībā. Tāpēc iespējams, ka Lk. ev., kopā ar Ap.d. gr., bija rakstīti arī ar nolūku, lai Pāvila tiesātājiem būtu liecība par to, ka kristietība, kuru Jēzus iesāka (Lk. ev.) un kuras izplatīšanā Pāvils bija tik dedzīgi iesaistīts (Ap.d. gr.) nebija drauds Romas varai. Var būt, ka Teofilam bija kāda augsta, ietekmīga loma Romas varā, - to gan nezinām.

Sarakstīšanas laiks

Ir izteikti dažādi minējumi par šī evaņģēlija sarakstīšanas laiku. Ja pieturamies pie tā, ka Lk. ev. un Ap.d. gr. ir vienoti darbi, kuri sarakstīti pirms Pāvila tiesāšanas Romā, tad tas ir pirms Pāvila nāves, kas tiek datēta ar 64. vai 65.gadu.

Lūkas evaņģēlija īpašās iezīmes

  1. Lūkas evaņģēlijs sākas ar plašu prologu (Lk. 1. un 2.nod.). Tas satur informāciju, kas nav atrodama citos evņģēlijos.
  2. Lūkas evaņģēlijs atspoguļo tā laika vēsturisko kontekstu. Pieminēti ķēniņš Hērods, imperatori Augusts un Tiberijs. Jāņa Kristītāja mācība ļaudīm, muitniekiem un kareivjiem (Lk. 3,10-14) dod ieskatu tā laika sociālajā situācijā.
  3. Lūkas evaņģēlijs uzsver pielūgsmi un lūgšanu. Lūkas evaņģēlijs sākas un beidzas ar pielūgsmes ainām (1:8; 24:53). 1. un 2.nod. daudz Dieva slavēšana. Lk. ev. vairāk nekā citos evaņģēlijos rakstīts, ka Jēzus lūdza Dievu. Piem., 3:21, kristībās; 5:16, tuksnesī; 6:12, pirms apustuļu izraudzīšanas; 9:18, pirms jautājuma par to, kas Viņš ir; 9:28-29 Apskaidrošanas kalnā.
  4. Tā kā Lūkas evaņģēlijam ir turpinājums, proti, Apustuļu darbu grāmata, tad atsevišķas iezīmes ir saprotamas arī no šī redzespunkta. Piem.,
  5. jau pirmajās divās nodaļās vairākkārt pieminēts Svētais Gars;
  6. Lk. ev. rāda lielu pievēršanos tiem, kas sabiedrībā nebija ar lielām tiesībām, piem., sievietes; kas nebaudīja lielu varu, piem., nabadzīgie; kas nebija ļoti ieredzēti, piem., samarieši (9:52.56; 10:33; 17:16). Un tieši nabadzīgie ir tie, par ko ļoti rūpējās pirmā kristīgā draudze, ko Lūkas, rakstīdams Ap.d. gr. un daudz būdams kopā ar Pāvilu, labi zināja.
  7. Ja Lk. un Ap.d. tika rakstīti arī ar nolūku, lai Romas tiesā būtu pierādījumu, ka Pāvils ir nevainīgs, tad arī šajā jautājumā redzam, ka ne tikai Ap.d. gr. rāda, ka Romas varas pārstāvji nesaskatīja kristietībā neko sliktu (pārsvarā jūdi bija tie, kas izraisīja kristiešu vajāšanas), bet arī Lk. ev. tas jau pamanāms. Piem., Lk. 23:47 romiešu centurions saka: "Un virsnieks, redzēdams, kas notika, Dievu teica un sacīja: "Patiesi, šis bijis taisns cilvēks."" (Mt. 27:54 un Mr. 15:39 virsnieks jeb centurions atzīst Jēzu par Dieva Dēlu.)

Ir vēl citas interesantas iezīmes Lk. ev., piem., pievēršanās atstumtajiem, glābšanas tēma.

Mārtiņš Balodis

  • Introduction

  • 1 Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
  • 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
  • 3 it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus;
  • 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

  • John the Baptist’s Birth Foretold

  • 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
  • 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
  • 7 And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.
  • 8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
  • 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
  • 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.
  • 11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
  • 12 Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.
  • 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
  • 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth.
  • 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.
  • 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
  • 17 And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
  • 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years.”
  • 19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
  • 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
  • 21 And meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.
  • 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he repeatedly made signs to them, and remained speechless.
  • 23 When the days of his priestly service were concluded, he went back home.
  • 24 Now after these days his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,
  • 25 “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among people.”

  • Jesus’ Birth Foretold

  • 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,
  • 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
  • 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
  • 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was.
  • 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
  • 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
  • 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
  • 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
  • 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
  • 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God.
  • 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month.
  • 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
  • 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

  • Mary Visits Elizabeth

  • 39 Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
  • 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
  • 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
  • 43 And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
  • 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
  • 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

  • Mary’s Song: The Magnificat

  • 46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
  • 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
  • 48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
  • 49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
  • 50 “And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.
  • 51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
  • 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
  • 53 “He has filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty-handed.
  • 54 “He has given help to His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
  • 55 Just as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
  • 56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

  • John the Baptist Is Born

  • 57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.
  • 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
  • 59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.
  • 60 And yet his mother responded and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”
  • 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
  • 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
  • 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
  • 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking in praise of God.
  • 65 And fear came on all those who lived around them; and all these matters were being talked about in the entire hill country of Judea.
  • 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

  • Zechariah’s Prophecy

  • 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:
  • 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
  • 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David—
  • 70 Just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times—
  • 71 Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us;
  • 72 To show mercy to our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,
  • 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham,
  • 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Would serve Him without fear,
  • 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
  • 76 “And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
  • 77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,
  • 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
  • 79 To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
  • 80 Now the child grew and was becoming strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.