Luke Simplified

The Gospel According to Luke is the Longest Book in the New Testament

And Nearly 60% of the Material in Luke is Unique to Only His Gospel Account

There’s a Lot We Wouldn’t Know About Jesus if it Weren’t for Luke

He Gives Us a Lot More Information on the Births of John and Jesus

He Gives Us the Only Information We Have of Jesus’ Childhood

He Gives Us a Different Genealogy of Jesus than the One Found in Matthew

Most of the Information On Jesus’ Traveling to Jerusalem is Unique to Luke

He Gives Us Lots of New Information of Things that Took Place After Jesus’ Resurrection

His Gospel Account is the Only One that Describes Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven

Some Have Called Luke’s Account “the Most Beautiful Book in the World”

After Studying this, I Am Starting to Understand Why

It is a Unique and Beautiful Portrait of Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Author & Audience

Luke is Believed to Be the Author of this 3rd Account of the Gospel of Jesus

This Belief Comes Primarily From the Fact that Whoever Wrote “Luke” Also Wrote “Acts”

They are 2 Companion Volumes Written to the Same Person

Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

It was Written to Theophilus (“Lover/Friend of God”)

And the Book of Acts Refers to it’s Preceding Companion as Well as to Theophilus

Acts 1:1–2 (NASB95)

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.

In the Latter Chapters of Acts, the Author Begins to Use the Plural 1st Person Pronoun “We”…

Instead of “They” Which was Used Throughout the 1st Half of the Book

This Indicates that the Author of Luke/Acts was With Paul Beginning with His 2nd Missionary Journey

Through the Process of Elimination, Luke is Believed to the Author

It Also Helps that Throughout the 1st Several Centuries, Luke was Unanimously Considered the Author of Luke/Acts

Luke was Likely a Gentile

Paul Doesn’t Include Him in a List of “Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God Who are From the Circumcision”

Colossians 4:10–11 (NASB95)

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); 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.

If this is Proof that Luke was a Gentile…

This Would Make Him the Only Gentile Author of the New Testament

And Possibly the Only Gentile Author in the Entire Bible

He was Well Educated in Greek Culture, But Also had Extensive Knowledge of the OT

This May Suggest that He was a “God-Fearer” Before Becoming a Christian

This is a Term Used for Gentiles Who Worshiped and Served the 1 True God

He was a Physician:

Colossians 4:14 (NASB95)

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

He was a Fellow Minister and Missionary of Paul’s:

Philemon 23–24 (NASB95)

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

He was a Loyal Friend and Brother to Paul to the Very End:

2 Timothy 4:9–11 (NASB95)

Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Let’s Look at the First 4 Verses Again, Because They Give Us a Lot of Information On this Book

Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

First, Luke Acknowledges that There are Other Accounts of the Gospel of Jesus

Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

Luke Felt it Would Be Good for Him to Write an Orderly Account as Well

But Luke was Not an Eye-Witness or Servant of the Word From the Beginning

He had to Investigate, Ask Questions and Interview Those Who Were

He Might Have Got a Lot of His Information From Paul…

Who Received a Great Amount of Information Through Miraculous Revelation

Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

Theophilus May Have Been a Roman Official or of Some Other High Position and Wealth

He May Have Been Luke’s Patron:

Funding Luke in His Writing…

And Being Responsible for Making Sure Luke’s Writings Were Copied and Distributed

Luke 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

Theophilus was More Than Just a Patron, Though

Luke’s Writings Were Meant for His Own Instruction

He Might Have Been a Relatively New Believer…

And Luke’s Gospel Account was for the Purpose of Bolster His Faith…

In Presenting to Him a Sure Account of the Truth of the Gospel

Luke’s Gospel Would Have Been Very Useful to the Greek-Speaking Upper-Class

But Luke was Not Pandering to the Rich with this Gospel Account

Actually, Quite the Opposite as We’ll See in the Themes

Themes

The Gospel is Historical

As was Pointed Out in Luke 1:1-4, Luke Wanted His Account to Establish Historical Reliability

Jesus was Real

He is the Messiah

Everything the Gospel Accounts Say He Did, He Actually Did

Luke Adds So Many Irrefutable References to People, Places, and Events…

If the Story He was Telling was False…

It Would Be Easy to Prove it

But Every Bit of Information He Gives has Been Proven to Be True

The Gospel is for Everyone

This Might Be Luke’s Main Theme Throughout Both of His Books

Jews and Gentiles are All Welcome into the Kingdom of God

It Makes Sense that this is a Major Theme in Luke for 2 Obvious Reasons:

1.) Luke Himself was Likely a Gentile

Gentiles Being Welcomed into the Family of God Would Be Important to Him

2.) He was a Close Friend of Paul

Paul Spent Most of His Ministry Taking the Gospel to the Gentiles

Much of What He Writes in His Letters is About How the Gospel is for Everyone

Luke’s Account is Like a Blending Together of Matthew and Mark

Matthew was Written to Jews with Lots of References From the OT

Mark was Written to Gentiles

Luke is Writing to Gentiles, But Also References a Lot From the OT

He Highlights How God’s Love, Grace, Forgiveness, and Plan…

Always Included the Entire World, Jews and Gentiles

The Importance of Prayer

In Luke’s Account, We See Jesus Praying Before He Does Just About Anything

We See the Same Thing with the Apostles and Early Church in Acts

The Gospel Brings Joy

More Than Any Other Account…

Luke Focuses on the Joy that Results in Obeying the Gospel of Jesus

Luke Wants Us to Remember that the Gospel is Good News

The Gospel Turns the World Upside-Down

Luke Presents the Gospel of Jesus as a Message that Changes the World

When Jesus Reigns, the Roles are Reversed

Luke Presents Women as Important Contributors to the Mission of the Kingdom

He Taught Women, Used Them as Main Characters for His Stories and Parables

He Treated Women as Equals…

In a World Where Women Were Viewed/Treated as Second-Class Citizens

Luke Focuses On Justice for the Poor, Sick, Humble, and Outcast

When Jesus Reigns the Poor Become the Rich

The Sick are Healed

The Humble are Exalted and Honored

And the Outcast are Given a Family

Luke Presents Jesus, the Most Holy/Righteous Human to Ever Live…

As a Friend to Sinners

Luke Presents the Gospel as a Message and Lifestyle that Turns the World Upside-Down

The Gospel of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Acts as a Main Character in Both of Luke’s Writings

Without the Holy Spirit’s Involvement and Guidance…

We Wouldn’t Have the Gospel, a Perfect and Resurrected King, or Hope of Reconciliation with God

Meals and Parables

A Vast Majority of the Meals Jesus Attended and Spoke About Occur in Luke

Luke (and Jesus) Considered Meals to Be a Great Way to Spread the Gospel

Luke Recorded More of Jesus’ Parables than Any Other Gospel Account

Many of Which Dealt with God’s Love for the Lost

Lost = Sinners, Poor, Outcasts, Those of Low Social Status

This was Something Luke was Extremely Passionate About

Purpose

Luke was Written to Strengthen the Faith of All Believers

He Wants Everyone Who Reads His Account to Have Full Assurance in Message of King Jesus

He Also Wants His Readers to Follow the Ministry and Teachings of Jesus

We are to Continue Turning the World Upside-Down

Loving, Helping, and Establishing Justice for:

The Lost, Sinners, Poor, Sick, Outcasts, Women and All Others of Low Social Status

And Luke Wants His Readers to Take this Saving Message to the World

God Loves and Wants to Save All People

And His Love and Salvation are Found in King Jesus

So it is Our Mission to Take King Jesus with Us Everywhere We Go

Summarized Outline

Introduction to Jesus’ Ministry (1-4:14)

Jesus’ Ministry In & Around Galilee (4:14-9:50)

Jesus’ Teaching On the Way to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27)

Jesus’ Ministry In & Around Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)

The Climax of Jesus’ Life (22-24)

Key Passage

Luke 19:10 (NASB95)

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

These Words of Jesus Came in the Context of Him Saving the Tax Collector, Zaccheus

But These Words Sum Up a Great Deal of What Luke’s Account is All About

Jesus is the Savior of the World

He Came to Seek Out and Rescue Lost Humanity

Applications

In Chapter 15, the Scribes and Pharisees Were Complaining About Jesus Eating with Sinners

So He Proceeded to Tell Them 3 Parables

The Parables of:

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Coin

The Lost Son

Each of These Parables Pointed Out How Much God Values/Cares for the Lost

And the Point of the Parables was to Teach Us to Value/Care for the Lost as Well

Jesus’ Heart and Mission to Seek and Save the Lost…

Is to Be Our Heart and Mission as Well

Luke Shows Us the Heart of Our God and King

He Deeply Cares for the Lost

But it’s Not Just the Lost He Cares for

He Cares for the Poor, the Humble, the Outcasts, the Oppressed…

And All Those Who Live with and Experience the Evils that Come From Living in a Cursed World

If Our Goal is to Be Like Jesus…

Then Our Goal is to Have the Heart of Jesus

May We Make it Our Mission to Seek and Save the Lost

And While We’re On that Mission…

Let’s Help and Establish Justice for All People Along the Way

Luke Shows Us: This is the Way of Jesus