In this study I examine the connection between knowledge and the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel of Luke, and how these themes are connected in the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. John announces God’s forgiveness and their imminent restoration to Israel, and ministers a baptism of atonement in preparation. Through participation in his baptism, individuals demonstrate knowledge of their need for forgiveness, and repent, displaying the social and ethical concern stipulated in the Mosaic Covenant. Those who are baptised are prepared to receive the experiential knowledge of salvation that the Coming One will bring.

Those who reject John and his baptism reject Jesus as the Coming One. Luke presents Jesus’ ministry as a Jubilee and a new exodus. Those who have knowledge of Jesus as God’s agent of salvation approach him with faith, embrace his forgiveness, and gain experiential knowledge of salvation that is material, social, and spiritual. Luke presents Jesus’ death as an atoning sacrifice that establishes fulfills Israel’s Scriptures and the new covenant. Following his resurrection, Jesus gives his disciples understanding of the necessity of his messianic suffering, resurrection, and ascension so that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name. Those who will accept his identity and repent will receive forgiveness and will gain experiential knowledge of salvation through the Jubilee program, regardless of their ethnicity. Thus, this study does not introduce new evidence into the extant body of Lukan scholarship. Instead, it is a synthesis of the themes of John’s baptism, Luke’s new exodus, the return from exile, Jubilee, Jesus as the Son of Man, and Israel’s salvation history to answer the question of how the theme of knowledge informs Luke’s understanding of the forgiveness of sins.