INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
AUTHOR:
Luke did not identify himself by name. Luke, the physician and traveling companion of Paul (Co 4:14), was a Gentile (Acts 1:19; Col 4:10-14). He may have been from Antioch, Syria. Paul may have met him for the first time in Antioch. He traveled with Paul on his missionary enterprises, often treating Paul medically. The New Testament mentions Luke by name only three times, all by way of the apostle Paul (Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24). Luke never mentions his own name, but we find him in the “we” sections of Acts (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16). He was the first trained medical missionary.
Paul claimed Luke to be a Gentile (Col 4:10-14).
According to unanimous tradition, Luke may have been born in Antioch, Syria, and was possibly a freedman. He was the first church historian.
BACKGROUND:
In Luke and Acts, we have more information about the apostles and leaders of the early church than any other document. Luke’s Greek is the best of the New Testament. The book of Luke is a developed treatise, not fragmented, and is the most literary of the gospels. Luke was not an eyewitness of everything he wrote (Lu 1:2). The apostles were the source of much of his writing. He “carefully investigated” what he wrote (Lu 1:3).
DATE:
Luke was written possibly from Rome or Achaia as early as AD 60 or near the death of Peter and Paul (AD 68). He wrote the gospel of Luke before the book of Acts (Acts 1:1).
OCCASION and PURPOSE:
Luke’s stated purpose was to give “certainty” about the things taught to Theophilus, based on credible historical facts (Lu 1:1-4). He gave an orderly and historical account of the foundations of the faith based on careful research rather than as a casual letter. He presented Jesus as the “Son of Man.”
The purpose was also to strengthen the Christian movement by assuring readers of the facts of the gospel and the identity of Jesus.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The gospel of Luke is the longest of the four gospels.
Luke and Acts make up about 28% of the Greek NT.
Luke manifests literary talent.
Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man; Matthew presents Him as King, Mark as Servant, and John as the Son of God.
The gospel of Luke has a missionary thrust.
Luke was written before the book of Acts (Acts 1:1).
Luke shows the life of Jesus in light of His fulfillment of prophecy; His is a life of promise and fulfillment.
The focus is upon God and the fulfillment of His purpose and, secondarily, an account of the life of Jesus.
Luke is the most comprehensive of the gospels.
Luke contains much material that is not in the other gospels.
Luke was written by a Gentile for Gentiles.
Luke used the Septuagint to quote from the OT. There are few direct quotations, and many references are allusions to the OT.
Luke emphasized the universal message of the gospel more than the other gospels.
Luke gives a greater understanding of the period than the other gospels.
There is a significant emphasis on forgiveness: Luke 3:3; 5:18-26; 6:37; 7:36-50; 11:4; 12:10; 17:3-4; 23:34; 24:47).
Luke emphasized the joy of salvation: Luke 1:14; 8:13; 10:17; 13:17; 15:5, 9, 32; 19:6, 37.
Luke uses 266 words (except for proper names) found only in His gospel.
Luke has many parables unique to his gospel.
Luke is the longest New Testament book: 1,021 verses.
Luke highlights the Son of Man dimension to Jesus—that is, His humanity.
Luke is the only gospel that has a sequel—Acts.
RECIPIENTS
Luke addressed Acts and Luke to Theophilus, called “most excellent,” a possible government leader (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3), but he had a much broader audience in view.
GENRE:
This book is a historical narrative about the life of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic gospels, differing from the gospel of John, which has 90% unique material to the gospels.
Luke wrote with precision and literary skill.
RELATION TO ACTS:
There are similarities to the Book of Acts in grammar and style, with few variations.
CANON:
Tertullian, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and the Muratorian Fragment accepted it as canonical at the end of the second century and the beginning of the third.
The Muratorian Canon (AD 170) attributes both Luke and Acts to Luke, the physician. P75 in the Bodmer Papyrus collection (AD 175-225) references Luke as the author.
Early church fathers universally accepted Luke as the author and referenced him as the author: Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho); Irenaeus (AD 175-95) in Adversus Hareses; Tertullian (AD 207-208) in Against Marcion; Origen (AD 254) in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History; Eusebius (AD 303) in Ecclesiastical History; Jerome (AD 398) in On Illustrious Men.
OUTLINE:
Prologue, 1:1-4
Birth and childhood of Jesus, 1:5-2:52
Preparation for Public Ministry, 3:1-4:13
The Galilean Ministry, 4:14-9:50
Jesus’ Ministry on the way to Jerusalem, 9:51-19:27
Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem, 19:28-21:38
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, 22-24
