The Greek word ethneµ, like goy in Hebrew, can mean both “gentile” and “nation.” In Luke 2:32 ethneµ is translated as “gentile” but the same word, which also occurs in Luke 24:47, is almost always translated as “nations.” Although the Lukan Jesus clearly has gentiles primarily in mind, Jews are not excluded: “…and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
