Introduction to Gospel of Luke

Background

What do you know about Luke before we even get started?

When we finish this series of studies I ask you to look back at the notes you took here at the beginning and see how it changes.

As good bible students and that is what we need to be in a bible class we need to be detectives and ask questions, the who, what, where, why, how. When looking at a book there are lots of things we want to ask, so this morning I will address those questions we should ask along with some interesting facts along the way, so sit back, relax as we journey in setting up the gospel of Luke.

Here we have this Gospel nestled between Mark and John, and it is believed that it was actually the third gospel written. I will get more into that later, but seems purposely placed in the bible.

So, maybe let’s read the introduction to Luke for most of the information I will pull will come right from there.

Luke 1:1–2 NASB95

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,

Luke 1:3–4 NASB95

3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

First impressions, what can you tell from this without looking back?

Who are the characters mentioned in this passage?

What has happened before the writer wrote this, or it is implied has happened?

Interesting fact that there are some researchers that claim that the writings about Jesus did not come (including all of the gospels) until 2-3 generations after His death on the cross. But the work of German papyrus expert Carsten Thiede (December 1994) suggests that we actually possess copies of Matthew that date close to the very time of Jesus. Thiede’s findings are based on a careful analysis of the handwriting script used on a recently discovered fragments. (Black, Logo’s commentary)

Gospel of Luke Picture

Author: It is credited to Luke, though in gospel it is not clearly stated, but in sister book (Acts) it implies (have everyone turn to Act16:10-17, 20:5-6) these both show “we” putting Luke in the picture with Paul now, so it does help authenticate potential authorship and companionship with Paul.

Luke was the only Gentile of the all the authors in the New Testament, and an interesting fact, as the author of Luke and Acts that makes him the by volume the largest writer of the New Testament. Paul by books, Luke by volume. Unless you are one that believes that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews.

Why it shows he was a Gentile look at

COl4:10-11 “10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”

He is not named in Colossi, and he was travelling with Paul, if he was a Jew he would have been named.

OK, you could look at

COl4:14 “14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”

To further prove he wasn’t too, since there he is named.

Recipient: Theophilus (v.3) referred to “most excellent”- His name means “Friend of God.” - could this mean he was already a believer, or was someone who was seeking more information (v.4)

Theophilus already had been taught things, now he wanted to make sure he had been taught the right things, so that is what Luke went and investigated and brought back what he found out from the eyewitnesses (v.2) and servants of the word who were there from the beginning and do it in consecutive order (v.3)

While the recipient is very personal. Theophilus, this is a very personal gospel. The gospel itself is very personal, it is for you. Luke out of the four gospels is the most personal and most universal, it is the gospel for all people as some commentators will say.

Hey Theophilus this is good news just for you. It is like we are ease dropping in on something just for him, like when EF Hutton speaks people listen if you remember that old commercial.

Luke wants Theophilus to know Jesus the person more than Jesus the concept of the Messiah, there is a big difference. We can teach a concept but can only know a person. If you want to know the truth of God you have to know Christ the Son.

The recipient has a wider audience of the Gentiles too. Where Luke a Gentile and Theophilus a Roman Gentile leader, so it seems, Luke focuses in the way he writes to Gentiles too with the way he explains things.

Author: It is not clearly stated for the gospel or for Acts which is a continuation see

Act1:1 “1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,”

There is evidence that Luke is the writer, lets investigate turn with me to a few passages

Act16:10-17 “10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. 14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. 16 It happened that as we were …”

Survey: Act20:5-15(v.5, 6, 7, 8,, 13, 14, 15; there are other passages, 21:1-18, 27:1-28 too, but we don’t need to go to all of them, I think you get the jest of it.

Occupation of Luke: Physician

Col4:14 “14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”

Physicians were educated but many were indentured servants (slaves). Luke may have been like that

Luke was a coworker to Paul

Philemon24 “24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”

He was a fellow missionary

2Tim4:10-11 “10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”

I did mention he was a gentile, let me back that up now

Col4:10-11 does not name him as a Jew

Col4:10-11 “10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”

Then in v:14, well look yourself

Col4:14 “14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”

Now, we have a few minutes left and still a little more to cover in the introduction.

Purpose: Read (v.4) I think it is pretty clear. You may know the exact truth! So there is no uncertainty what you have been taught is true and defend what is true.

This is his thesis statement and he will spend the gospel proving out his thesis statement in an consecutive order. He is more detailed than the other gospels, so much so that he will continue in the book of Acts.

Date: We do not know the exact date. I mentioned when we started some beliefs, but most believe that this was written sometime between AD60-80.

Author: ___________(Act16:10-17; 20:5): he is a ___________(Col4:10-11, 14)

Occupation: _______ (Col4:14) _______(Phil24)________(2Tim4:10-11) he was not a _____(Col4:10-11) he was a ________ (Col4:14)

Recipient: _________(Lk1:3)

Purpose: _____________________(Lk1:4)

Brief outline of the gospel found in College Press:

Prologue 1:1-4

Infancy Narrative:1-5-2:52

Preparation for Jesus’ ministry: 3:1-4:13

Jesus’ ministry in Galilee 4:14-9:50

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem 9:51-19:27

Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem 19:28-21:38

Jesus’ suffering and death 21:1-23:56

Jesus’ Resurrection and ascension 24:1-53