Luke 6:43-45
“Notice what you notice.” If I had not put the two gospel passages side by side, I would have said that Luke had nothing to add that Matthew had not already said (yesterday), including the same words, almost verbatim! However, I would have been wrong! Luke gives us something to grab onto – in this case, figs and grapes: For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush (v. 44). While Matthew writes in generalities, Luke adds some specifics. It’s a good teaching tool, helping us to see the meaning more clearly.
But I also wonder if Luke isn’t somehow looking forward to Holy Week, with his mention of thorns (crown of…) and grapes (the two cups of wine mentioned in Luke 23). Just wondering…
Slava Bohu!