Luke #42

Luke presents a carefully researched account of Jesus’ life for a largely Gentile audience, with particular attention to his compassion for the poor, women, and social outcasts, and to his own consistent life of prayer.

Read Luke in the King James Version →

Author and Date

The Gospel does not name its author, but tradition attributes it to Luke, the physician and companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11). The preface says the writer consulted eyewitnesses and set down an orderly account (Luke 1:1-4). Its sequel is Acts (Acts 1:1). Many scholars date Luke to the 60s AD, and many others to c. AD 80-90; the date is debated.

Background and Audience

Luke addresses a person named Theophilus (Luke 1:3), possibly a patron or a new believer, and through him a wider Gentile readership. It explains Jewish customs, sets events within the wider Roman world (Luke 3:1), and stresses that salvation is offered to all people.

Outline

• Luke 1:1-2:52: Preface, the announcements and births of John and Jesus, and Jesus at twelve
• Luke 3:1-4:13: John’s ministry, Jesus’ baptism, genealogy, and temptation
• Luke 4:14-9:50: Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, beginning with his sermon at Nazareth
• Luke 9:51-19:27: The journey toward Jerusalem, with many of Luke’s parables
• Luke 19:28-21:38: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his teaching in the Temple
• Luke 22:1-23:56: The Last Supper, arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial
• Luke 24:1-53: The resurrection, the road to Emmaus, and the ascension

Key Themes

• Salvation for all: The good news reaches Gentiles, Samaritans, and the marginalized.
• Compassion for the poor and outcast: Jesus’ concern for those overlooked runs through the book.
• Prayer and the Holy Spirit: Jesus prays at key moments and acts in the Spirit’s power.
• Joy and repentance: Repentance and forgiveness are met with rejoicing.

Key Verses

• Luke 1:1-4 — the preface: an orderly account based on eyewitness testimony, written so Theophilus may be certain
• Luke 2:10-11 — the angel’s announcement to the shepherds of a Savior, Christ the Lord, for all people
• Luke 4:18-19 — Jesus reads Isaiah at Nazareth and applies it to his own mission to the poor and captive
• Luke 19:10 — the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost
• Luke 24:46-47 — the risen Jesus says that repentance and forgiveness will be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem

How It Fits the Bible

Luke is the third Gospel, following Mark and preceding John, and it is the first half of a two-part work continued in Acts. It shows how the story of Israel reaches its climax in Jesus and opens toward the nations, and it contains parables found nowhere else, such as the good Samaritan and the prodigal son.