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The Symbols of the Synoptic Gospels

The Symbols of the Four Evangelists

Luke/Ox

St. Luke is symbolized with the ox.

  • sacrificial animal, beast of burden, patient animal
  • a lowly creature that possess great strength and was an integral part of everyday life in the ancient world.
  • his Gospel begins with the account of Zecharias the priest, father of John the Baptist which connects with theme of OT sacrifice.
  • Christ is the new sacrifice who takes on the burdens of the world’s sin.
  • it is in Jerusalem, the site of the temple and center of jewish worship, that Jesus returns to in order to be sacrificed for others like the ox in the temple.

Luke’s gospel contains themes that are concerned with the poor, outcast, sinner.

  • stresses this theme to show Jesus came to save all(Lk. 19:9-10).
  • also in the interest of universal salvation Luke mentions more characters and names than any other Gospel(ie Simon the Pharisee or Zacchaeus).
  • focuses on Jesus’ lowly family background(like ox)
  • often gives accounts of forgiveness by Jesus of the poor(Lk. 7:47-50) and rewards those who do the same. Lk 23:39-43(forgives Dismas)
  • gospel plods along at a slower pace than the others. Even Jesus shows patience in His teaching(Lk 24:27)lesson on the road to emmaus.
  • symbol also represents the path man must take to eternal life. He must be as an ox since the true Christian, like Christ, renounces worldly pleasures and thereby burdens and sacrifices himself.

Video

Luke from Greg Carl on Vimeo.

Sources

Burridge, Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus?. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2005.

Male, Emile. The Gothic Image:religious art in france of the thirteenth century. New York: Harper & Row, 1972.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 120-202 AD) - Adversus Haereses 3.11.8 http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103311.htm

St. Jerome http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf206.vii.iv.ii.html also have translation of part of latin text.

Augustine http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf106.vi.iv.vi.html

Images

Creator Nicholas of Verdun Title Klosterneuburg Altar (Verdun Altar); detail showing the plaque of the Sea and the Twelve Oxen Date 1181 Material champlevé enamel Measurements 20.5 x 16.5 cm Description Inscription: MARE SVPRA BOVES XII; FORMA FVIT SACRI MARIS VMBRA BOVMQVE LAVACRI Repository Stift Klosterneuburg

Creator Schongauer, Martin, 15th cent Title Series of the Four Evangelist Symbols: The Ox of St. Luke Date late 15th. C Material engraving Measurements 87 mm. diam Description Illustrated Bartsch (153)