Tag Archives: Luke

05.14.15
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Busted (4):  Did Luke Screw Up Pilate’s Job Title?

Busted 1In a previous article, we explored how critics falsely accuse Luke of gross inaccuracy in Luke 3:1.  Here, we return to the same verse to explore another alleged mistake.  Let’s review the relevant part of the passage, from the English Standard Version:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea,…

Some critics have pointed out that Luke refers to Pontius Pilate as the governor or “hegemon” (ἡγεμών) of Judea, rather than by his actual title, which was prefect (νομάρχης).  If, the critics say, Luke was wrong about something that simple, then he surely was wrong about other things, too. Continue reading →

05.04.15
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Busted (3): Did Luke Get a Date Wrong by 60 Years?

Busted 1It seems that whenever one of the gospel accounts disagrees with that of a non-Christian historian, skeptical scholars assume it’s the gospel-writer who got it wrong.  That’s a dangerous thing to assume.

Luke 3:1 is a passage that many critics have used to “prove” Luke’s incompetence as an historian.  Here’s the passage (ESV): Continue reading →

04.29.15
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Busted (2): Was Luke Wrong About the Jewish High Priest(s)?

Busted 1In this article, we tackle an alleged error in the Gospel of Luke that some critics use to paint Luke as an unreliable historian.  Let’s take a look at the offending verse, Luke 3:2 (English Standard Version):  “…during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

So, what is the alleged mistake?  Continue reading →

12.25.14
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Merry Christmas! Unto Us, a Savior Is Born…

The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard von Honthorst, December 25, 1622

The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard von Honthorst, December 25, 1622

The Gospel According to Luke: 2, 4-20 (New King James Version):

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.