The Gospel of Luke is here read as the first volume of the two-part writing scholars call Luke-Acts. The literary unity of these two canonical works is assumed throughout, with Luke's entire composition being taken as a form of apologetic history which seeks to demonstrate how the good news that began with Jesus both fulfilled the promises of God made to the Jewish people and found a legitimate place among the Gentiles. While paying close attention to Luke's overall narrative, this commentary demonstrates the way in which the portrayal of Jesus, his followers, his opponents, and his teachings fits within Luke's broder literary and religious purposes. The expression "Sacra Pagina" ("Sacred Page") originally referred to the text of Scripture. In the Middle Ages it also described the study of Scripture to which the interpreter brought the tools of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, and philosophy. This series presents fresh translations and modern expositions of all the books of the New Testament. Written by an international team of Catholic biblical scholars, it is inteded for biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, clergy, and religious educators. The volumes present basic introductory information and close exposition, adopting specific methodological perspectives while maintaining a focus on the issues raised by the New Testament compositions themselves. The goal of Sacra Pagina is to provide sound, critical analysis without any loss of sensitivity to religious meaning. This series is therefore catholic in two senses of the word: inclusive in its methods and perspectives, and shaped by the context of the Catholic tradition. The Second Vatican Council described the study of "the sacred page" as the "very soul of sacred theology" (Dei Verbum 24). This series illustrates how Catholic scholars contribute to the council's call to provide access to Sacred Scripture for all the Christian faithful. 466 pages. Also available in softcover.