Luke

What makes Luke special?

Luke is the first part of a two-volume work that includes Acts. This is clear from the introductions to both books (see Luke 1.1-4 and Acts 1.1-5). These books together tell about the life of Jesus from his birth until he was taken to heaven (Luke). Then they report how the early followers of Jesus continued to spread the teachings of Jesus and tell about his life (Acts).

Why was Luke written?

The author of Luke says that he “made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place” concerning the life and ministry of Jesus (1.3). The book is dedicated to Theophilus, a friend or supporter.

What's the story behind the scene?

Luke was likely created from at least three different sources: (1) the book of Mark; (2) a collection of Jesus' sayings, which Matthew also used; and (3) a collection of stories not included in any other Gospel. Luke probably wrote this Gospel some time after a.d. 70, the year the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple while putting down a Jewish revolt. Luke 19.43,44 appears to give details of this event. Luke's stories about the birth of Jesus are more detailed than those of any other New Testament book. And some familiar stories told by Jesus are found only in Luke: “The Good Samaritan” (10.25-37), “The Lost Sheep” (15.1-7), and “The Lost Son” (15.11-32). Luke is the only Gospel that tells how Jesus visited the home of the hated tax collector named Zacchaeus (19.1-10) and promised life in paradise to a dying criminal (23.39-43).

Luke, like the book of Acts, often mentions God's Holy Spirit (1.15,35; 4.1,14,18; 10.21; 11.13). Luke also shows how important prayer was to Jesus (3.21; 6.12; 9.18; and 23.34,46). From Luke we learn of three stories that Jesus used in teaching about prayer (11.5-9; 18.1-8, 9-14).

Jesus' concern for the poor is an important theme in Luke. The good news is preached to them (4.18; 7.22); they receive God's blessings (6.20); they are invited to a great banquet (14.13,21); the poor beggar named Lazarus is taken to heaven by angels (16.20,22); and Jesus commands his disciples to sell what they have and give the money to the poor (12.33).

Traditionally, the writer of Luke and Acts has been identified as the companion and co-worker of Paul (Phlm 24; Col 4.14). He wrote in the style of the Greek and Roman historians and biographers of his day. Many think that he was not Jewish and lived outside of Judea, and that he was writing for a Gentile audience (see the mini-article called “Gentiles,” ACT 11.1). This is supported by a key theme in Luke: God sent Jesus to be the Savior of all people, both Jews and Gentiles.

How is Luke constructed?

Note in the following outline how Luke is organized around important events in Jesus' life and the places where these events happen.