One of the things that I like about Luke is that he has a special interest in the role of women. In both his Gospel and in Acts, Luke often pairs men and women, giving examples of similar miracles or other events, each from the perspective of each gender. This should cause us to reflect upon the church’s history of placing one gender above the other. I thought I would take the time to share some of these pairings.
Prophetic announcement of Jesus’ conception – Zechariah (Luke 1:5-38), Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)
Prophetic announcement of Jesus’ birth – Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), Anna (Luke 2:36-38)
Healing in Capernaum – Possessed man (Luke 4:31-37), Peter’s mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39)
Raising from the dead – Widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17), Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:49-56)
Preparation of Jesus – John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35), Sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50)
Healing of long suffering – Gerasene man (Luke 8:26-39), Woman with issue of blood (Luke 8:40-48)
Teaching the disciples – Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), Male disciples (Luke 11:1-13)
Healing on the Sabbath – Crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17), Man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-4)
Finding the lost – Shepherd and sheep (Luke 15:3-7), Woman and coin (Luke 15:8-10)
Parable on prayer – Persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), Tax collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Giving money – Spies (Luke 20:20-26), Widow (Luke 21:1-4)
At the tomb – Women (Luke 24:1-10), Peter (Luke 24:11-12)
Deception – Ananias (Acts 5:1-6), Sapphira (Acts 5:7-11)
Raising from the dead – Tabitha (Acts 9:32-43), Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12)
Prophets – Agabus (Acts 11:27-30), Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:8-9)
Powerful pagans – Simon (Acts 8:9-25), Girl with spirit (Acts 16:16-21)
Conversion at Philippi – Lydia (Acts 16:11-15), Jailer (Acts 16:22-40)