Bible Overview: Luke

Author: Luke?

not mentioned by name

same author as Acts (compare beginning of Luke and Acts)

a companion of the Apostle Paul (see “we” passages of Acts)

Acts 16:10 ESV

10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Luke was a Gentile physician

Colossians 4:14 ESV

14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Also mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24.

The grammar shows a more highly educated author

Luke is the longest book of the NT in content, and combined with Acts makes Luke the most prolific author of the NT in overall content (though Paul wrote 13 letters and Luke only 2 books, his content is higher)

Almost 60% unique material, including 7 miracles, 19 parables, and at least 28 other unique teachings or historical accounts such as the birth announcements of John the Baptist and Jesus (almost all of Luke 1-2), the Emmaus road story. Luke is the only one who mentions Jesus’s age, in 3:23.

Probably the 3rd Gospel written (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John)

Date: early 60s A.D.?

written before Acts, which was almost certainly written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Recipient: Theophilus

“lover of God” or “friend of God”

perhaps a patron or a government official (or both)

“Most Excellent Theophilus” - the way kings or royal officials were addressed (Felix and Festus in Acts 24 and 26 respectively).

Having this wealthy man as a patron / sponsor would have enabled Luke to purchase the materials to write his gospel and circulate it (a very expensive project)

Luke 1:3 ESV

3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Acts 1:1 ESV

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,

Purpose: The Gospel for the World

(his genealogy goes back to Adam instead of Abraham like Matthew’s); the sending of the 70 shows the gospel is for the world (70 = # of languages in the world according to rabbis); Jesus’s ministry to the marginalized demonstrates that he’s for the world

CSB Study Bible: Notes Message and Purpose

The Gospel of Luke is a carefully researched (1:3), selective presentation of the person and life of Jesus Christ, designed to strengthen the faith of believers (1:3–4) and to challenge the misconceptions of unbelievers, especially those from a Greek background. Its portrait of Jesus is well balanced, skillfully emphasizing his divinity and perfect humanity.

Themes

The Son of Man (24x) - Jesus as human and divine

Ministry to the marginalized: 13 women not mentioned in other gospels, Samaritans (3x in Luke- including Good Samaritan story and the Samaritan leper), Gentiles, tax collectors and sinners (even many parables addressed these issues - see Luke 15)

Parables - Luke contains 35 of the 51 parables registered between Matthew-Luke; 19 of his are unique, and many emphasize Jesus’s care for the marginalized.

Key Verses

Luke 2:30–32 ESV

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)

Luke 15 (The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son)

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 24:45–47 ESV

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Application

We must imitate the mercy of Jesus toward outsiders.