Luke 3-7 Chiasm

A somewhat more expanded treatment of the chiasm of Luke 3-7. Jesus’ baptism and temptation still don’t fit well, but the rest hangs together pretty nicely. Some comments are appended below.

A. John the Baptist’s ministry, 3:1-20 B. Jesus’ baptism, genealogy, temptation, 3:21-4:13 C. Jesus at Nazareth, 4:14-30 Isaiah 61 Elijah Elisha Enters Capernaum

D. Jesus at Capernaum, 4:31-44 Teaching Exorcism (amazement) Simon’s mother in law General statement about healing and exorcism Prayer Moves on from Capernaum

E. Call of disciples, 5:1-11 (prayer) F. Healing of Leper and Paralytic forgiveness), 5:12-26 G. Levi’s conversion and feast, 5:27-39 F’. Healing of withered hand (Sabbath), 6:1-11 E’. Call of 12, 6:12-16 (prayer) D’. Jesus on the plain, 6:17-7:1 (Prayer, 6:12) General statement about healing Teaching Enters Capernaum C’. Jesus as expected one, 7:1-23 Enters Capernaum Heals Centurion’s son (cf Elisha) Raises son of widow (cf. Elijah) Expected one: Is 61 A’. John’s ministry described by Jesus, 7:24-35

Comments: First, in Lk 3 John is asked if he’s the Christ; in the corresponding section in ch 7 John asks Jesus if HE’S the Christ. Second, there is perhaps a link between the children of Abraham in chapter 3 and the children of wisdom in ch 7. Third, ch 3 quotes from Is 40 to describe John’s ministry, and ch 7 quotes from Mal 3. These are combined in Mk 1. Fourth, 4:31 and 7:1 are the only two places where Jesus is said to enter Capernaum (in Lk), which strengthens the connections between these two passages.