Patella's years of study in the Holy Land and first-hand experience at archaeological sites are evident in his numerous insights concerning history, geography and customs of Roman Palestine and the wider early Christian world. He also skillfully addresses literary and theological themes as he brings alive the Lucan Jesus. A valuable addition to the library of any student of the Third Gospel.Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
Patella's commentary helpfully underlines the Lukan themes of Jesus' mercy towards sinners and outcasts, is especially strong on the historical dimensions of Luke's presentation of Jesus' life, ministry, and death, and most insightfully highlights Luke's presentation of Jesus' battles with and conquest over the powers of evil. Teachers, preachers, and the people in the pew will all reap a rich harvest from this clearly written work.Robert Karris, OFM, Head of Research, The Franciscan Institute, St. Boneventure University
Michael Patella shows restraint, judgment, and penetrating insight in the way he lays out four main literary themes: 1) Conflict with the Evil One, 2) the Great Reversal of Fortunes, 3) Division of Those For from Those Against, and 4) the Experience of the Joy of Redemption. By simply following Luke's remarkable story line, he shows how all four come up at the beginning, the middle, and, most strikingly, at the very end of the Gospel. By the end the reader can only say, 'Now I see.' Rather than present Jesus' teaching as a 'generalized ethics,' he places it firmly in the context of the 'end-time' proclamation of the Kingdom of god, and subtly guides the reader into the First Century World: socially, religiously, and culturally. In this he shows himself both a scholar and an educator."John Clabeaux, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
