Robert F. O'Toole, «How Does Luke Portray Jesus as Servant of YHWH», Vol. 81 (2000) 328-346

This article explains Luke's meaning of Jesus as Servant of YHWH and claims this title as part of Luke's christology. Many references to Jesus as Servant of YHWH are unique to Luke, and a few summarize Jesus' ministry. These summary passages particularly look to Jesus' saving activity, universal mission and suffering. Other Servant of YHWH passages point out that Jesus is specially chosen and pleasing to God and determined to do his will. In particular, Acts 8,32-33 summarize Jesus' passion during which Luke views Jesus as the Servant and thus humble, innocent and silent. As the Servant Jesus is also risen and active.

LXX: Iakwb o( pai=j mou a)ntilh/myomai au)tou= Israhl o( e)klekto/j mou prosede/cato au)to_n h( yuxh/ mou

Jacob my servant I will uphold; Israel my elect my soul longed for

MT: y#$pn htcr yryxb wb-Kmt) ydb( Nh

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

        (4) the mission to the Gentiles and, as we will see below, the rejection and attempt to kill Jesus found in Luke 4,16-30 would square well with the contention that Luke wants to present Jesus as the Servant of YHWH. Furthermore, Luke 7,21-22 take up the thought of 4,18-19, and again specific reference is made to the ‘blind seeing’. Probably, Acts 28,28 (cf. 3,6; Isa 40,5) should be mentioned here since it speaks of salvation to the Gentiles which idea we have claimed Luke associates with Jesus as Servant of YHWH.

III. Certain Phrases Point to Jesus as the Servant of YHWH

        Luke has predicated certain phrases of Jesus which show that he views him as the Servant of YHWH whom God has specially chosen and with whom he is pleased. We have already seen this in the scene of Jesus’ baptism; for the voice from heaven says, ‘You are my son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased’. This last clause accurately represents the sense of the Hebrew of Isa 42,1, y#&pn htcr. Later at the Transfiguration, the voice from the cloud says of Jesus, ‘This is my son, my chosen (o( e)klelegme/noj), listen to him’ (Luke 9,35); this is a clear reference to the Hebrew text of Isa 42,1 LXX: Israhl o( e)klekto/j mou; MT: yryxb²³. Very probably, in the Transfiguration scene Mark’s (9,7) o( a)gaphto/j has been changed to o( e)klelegme/noj (Luke 9,35) so as to identify Jesus with the Servant. Another reference to Isa 42,1 is found during the scene of Jesus’ passion when the leaders mock Jesus with the words, ‘He saved others, let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the elect (o( e)klekto/j) of God’ (Luke 23,35). Thus, we have three clear references to Isa 42,1 and to Jesus as the Servant of YHWH with whom God is pleased or whom he has chosen for a special task. Of course, the last passage stands in Luke’s passion narrative; and so helps to clarify the Servant nature of this task.