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In Luke& #39;s Gospel, the OT prophets Elijah and Elisha are featured in fascinating ways. THREAD:
In Luke 1:17, Zechariah learns that his son John will prepare the way for the Messiah, going "before him in the spirit and power of Elijah"
In Luke 3:19-20, John--like Elijah--speaks truth to political leaders and faces opposition and persecution.
In Luke 3:19-20, John--like Elijah--speaks truth to political leaders and faces opposition and persecution.
In Luke 3:21-22, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. In 2 Kings 2, both Elijah and Elisha are present at the Jordan. And Elijah& #39;s significance gives way to that of Elisha. Elisha will be greater than his predecessor. In that way, Elijah is a forerunner for Elisha.
After Jesus& #39; baptism in Luke 3:21-22, he goes into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit (4:1). In 2 Kings 2:15, the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha, and Elisha returned from the Jordan River in the power of the Spirit.
In Luke 4:25-26, Jesus recounted an episode in Elijah& #39;s life, and in 4:27 he recounted an episode in Elisha& #39;s life. Like Elijah and Elisha, Jesus was not being received as a prophet by the people who should be receiving him. People besides Israelites were experienced God& #39;s works.
The cleansing of a leper (Luke 5:12-16) and the raising of the dead (7:11-17) remind us of the ministries of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kgs 17; 2 Kgs 4-5).
The healing of the centurion& #39;s servant from a distance (Luke 7:1-10) reminds us of Elisha and Naaman (2 Kgs 5).
The healing of the centurion& #39;s servant from a distance (Luke 7:1-10) reminds us of Elisha and Naaman (2 Kgs 5).
When Jesus raised up a widow& #39;s dead son and "gave him to his mother" (Luke 7:15), there is an allusion to the scene in 1 Kings 17:23, where Elijah gives a raised son to his widowed mother ("and delivered him to his mother").
As people discussed the identity of Jesus, Herod the tetrarch knows that "Elijah had appeared" (Luke 9:8). The disciples of Jesus confirmed that some people were linking Jesus to Elijah (Luke 9:19).
The miracle of feeding the 5000 (Luke 9:10-17) alludes to Elisha& #39;s miracle of multiplying bread for people (2 Kgs 4:42-44).
At Jesus& #39; transfiguration, Elijah actually appears before the glory-shining Christ (Luke 9:30). Elijah had a mountain encounter with the Lord in the OT.
At Jesus& #39; transfiguration, Elijah actually appears before the glory-shining Christ (Luke 9:30). Elijah had a mountain encounter with the Lord in the OT.
In Luke 9:54, James and John were in the Samaritan region and asked about calling down fire from heaven onto the Jesus-rejecting village. This recalls 2 Kings 1, when Elijah called fire down from heaven onto a Samaritan area (2 Kgs 1:2-14).
Luke refers to the days leading to Jesus being "taken up" (Luke 9:51), and being "taken up" was fulfilled at his ascension (Luke 24; Acts 1). Being "taken up" from the earth recalls Elijah, for Elijah ascended to God in 2 Kings 2.
1 Kings 19 gives the call of Elisha, when Elijah covers him with his mantle, meaning "Follow me" (19:19). Elisha asked to tell his family farewell before following (19:20). This scene is echoed when Jesus calls a person to follow who asks to bid his family farewell (Luke 9:61).
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah comes up to call Elisha while Elisha is plowing a field. And in Luke 9:62, in a scene about calling a person to follow Jesus, Jesus says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
The preceding examples show how--both explicitly and implicitly--the figures/stories of Elijah and Elisha are used in Luke 1-9. There may even be more instances than these.
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