necessity (δεῖ) of that tragic issue is not apparent in the sense that it is the inevitable result of causes which have been shown to be in operation. For Luke the δεῖ refers exclusively to the prophetic oracles which predicted Messiah’s sufferings. Jesus must die if these oracles are to be fulfilled. And for him it is a matter of course, and so he treats it in his narrative. The announcement of the Passion is not brought in as a new departure in Christ’s communi- cation with His disciples, as in the companion narratives, with indication of the place and solemn introductory phrase: “ He began to teach them”. It is reported in a quite casual way, as if it possessed no particular importance. In connection with this it may be noted that Luke gives a very defective report of those words of our Lord concerning His death which may be said to contain the germs of a theory as to its significance. For particulars readers are referred to the notes.
1. One very marked feature of this Gospel is what, for want of a better word, may be called the idealisation of the characters of Jesus and the disciples. These are contemplated not in the light of memory, as in Mark, but through the brightly coloured medium of faith. The evangelist does not forget that the Personages of whom he writes are now the Risen Lord, and the Apostles of the Church. Jesus appears with an aureole round His head, and the faults of the disciples are very tenderly handled. The truth of this statement can be verified only by a detailed study of the Gospel, and readers will find indications of proof at appropriate places in the notes. It applies equally to the Master and to His disciples, though Von Soden, in the article already referred to, states that the tendency in question appears mainly in the presentation of the conduct of the disciples ; drawing from the supposed fact the pre- carious inference that the Apostolic Church cared little or nothing for the earthly history of Jesus.! The delicate treatment of the disciples is certainly very «pparent. Luke, as Schanz remarks, ever spares the twelve; especially Peter. The stern word, “Get thee behind me,” is not in this Gospel. The narrative of the denial is an interesting subject of study in this connection. But the whole body of the disciples are treated with equal consideration. Their faults— ignorance, weak faith, mutual rivalries—are acknowledged, yet
1 Vide Theologische Abhandlungen, p. 138.