Holy Week in Luke’s Gospel

Author John Proctor
Publisher Grove £4.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788274296

Holy Week in 2025 is a good time to study the Passion in Luke. On Palm Sunday, the Passion reading is from Luke 22:14 – 23: end; and throughout the week the Morning Prayer lectionary repeats these passages, although we revert to the Passion in John on Good Friday. This book from John Proctor, subtitled ‘A Credible Jesus for the Real World’ is an ideal guide for the faithful Holy Week disciple. While it is focused on the narrative of Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion, it demonstrates how Luke’s wider narrative within the whole of his gospel creates a deeper picture of his ministry. In the words of the author, ‘Luke’s Passion shows a Jesus of deep compassion and understanding, as he grieves for his people’s hurts, reaches out to strangers and bystanders and guides his disciples..

I was especially impressed by the first substantive chapter describing Jesus’ pilgrimage to the cross, from the moment he ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51). Describing this journey, Proctor draws out several allusions to the ‘suffering servant’ passages in Isaiah, especially from Isaiah 53:7-12. He shows Jesus to be the ‘leader of the new Exodus’ – after the Transfiguration – and also links him closely to the martyred prophets (e.g. Luke 13:31-35). On arrival in Jerusalem, he pays particular attention to the tears of Jesus over the city, rather than the triumphal entry. Proctor sees Jesus’ lament as a prophetic vision of the subsequent destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70AD.

Other chapters deal with the trial of Jesus before Herod – unique to Luke’s account – and draw out other unique narratives: the encounter with the women of Jerusalem and the dialogue with the penitent thief – examples of Jesus’ compassion and concern at the height of his suffering. Proctor’s focus then suddenly reverts to the Last Supper, which seems oddly out of sequence, until we recognise that the whole Passion narrative is about the inspiration that Jesus will give, providing ‘strength and inspiration’ for his friend (and future disciples). The acts of the crucified and risen Jesus round off this helpful booklet – a chapter that could be left until the days after Easter.

I recommend this thoughtful and wise book which may be used individually, or in groups (for there are questions for discussion at the end of each chapter). It is excellent value for money, and has potential for wider use than a Holy Week devotional, for its scope covers many facets of Luke’s enthralling narrative.

Reviewed by LEONARD RICKARD

Lent