Introduction to Luke

Melissa Renner introduces the Gospel of Luke and what Women’s Bible Study will look like this semester.

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Luke 1:1–4, NIV

Luke: The Author

• Luke is the beloved physician, fellow worker, close friend, and traveling companion of Paul.
  • Acts 16:10–18; Colossians 4:10–14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24
• Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament.
  • Colossians 4:10–14
• Luke was not an eyewitness of the life of Christ; however, Luke diligently researched documents, interviewed eyewitnesses, and carefully arranged his Gospel under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
  • Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1–2; 2 Peter 1:20–21
• Luke wrote both the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, comprising more verses than any other New Testament author.
  • Luke = 2,128 verses;
  • Paul = 2,032 verses;
  • John = 1,416 verses;
  • Matthew = 1,071 verses;
  • Mark = 678 verses
• Luke joined Paul briefly on Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and again on Paul’s Third Missionary Journey.
  • Acts 16:10–18; 20:5–15; 21:1–18
• Luke was with Paul during his voyage and shipwreck, his Roman imprisonment, and at the time of Paul’s martyrdom.
  • Acts 27:1–28:6; 2 Timothy 4:11
• Church tradition suggests Luke was from Antioch and died in Boeatia [near Thebes, in Achaia, Greece] at the age of 84.

Luke: The Book

• The Gospel according to Luke is the longest book in the New Testament.
• Luke is based upon the traditional authority of Paul.
  • Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1
• Luke portrays Christ as the Son of Man, emphasizing His humanity. Luke uniquely recorded events surrounding Christ’s birth: the angelic announcements to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds; Mary’s song of joy; the birth of John the Baptist; Zechariah’s prophetic song; Jesus’ birth; the visit of the shepherds; Christ’s circumcision; Temple presentation; and Jesus’ growth and early life.
  • Luke 1–2
• Luke uniquely recorded 21 of Jesus’ parables and numerous vivid stories.
• Luke often mentioned the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• Luke 1:15, 35; 3:22; 4:1, 18; 10:21
• Luke emphasized the importance of prayer by recording Jesus’ personal example and Jesus’ instructions regarding prayer.
• Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28–29; 10:21; 11:1–13; 22:32; 23:34, 46
• Luke emphasized Jesus’ compassion and ministry to women and children, His concern for the poor and social outcasts, and His warning to the rich.
  • Luke 6:20–26
• Luke emphasized the universal scope of salvation by tracing Christ’s genealogy back to Adam and demonstrating salvation is available to all through faith in Christ: Jews, Gentiles, women, children, rich, poor, sinners.
  • Luke 3:23–38
• Luke presents the Good News that Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of Man, came to seek the lost (demonstrating His credentials [Christology—Who He Is] through miracles), and to journey toward Jerusalem where He would save the lost (demonstrating His sacrificial work on the cross [Soteriology—What He Did]).
  • Luke 9:51; 19:10; 24:47
• Luke emphasized the importance of forgiveness [19x in Luke], from his first chapter where Zechariah proclaimed, “To give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins…” to his final chapter where Jesus commissions His followers “that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
  • Luke 1:77; 24:47