Luke

WRITER, Luke, the beloved physician, see # Col 4:14

Reputed Author of Acts; both books being addressed to the same person. Luke was a close friend and travelling companion of Paul, as is shown in his personal allusions recording the journeys of the apostle.

See in the book of Acts where the author changes the pronouns to “we” and “us,” indicating that he himself was present at these times, # Ac 16:10 20:6 27:1 28:16. Many students see something of the stamp of Paul’s doctrine in Luke’s gospel. The exact date of the writing of the gospel is unknown. But if it were written after Luke came under Paul’s influence, it would be quite natural that the latter should give some colouring to the narrative.

TO WHOM ADDRESSED. To Theophilus, an unknown person. Internal evidence indicates that the book was written especially for the Gentiles. This is inferred from the fact that the writer takes pains to explain Jewish customs and sometimes substitutes Greek names for Hebrew.

PURPOSE. To give a connected and orderly narrative of the life of Christ as seen by eye witnesses, # Lu 1:1-4

KEY VERSE
# Lu 1:4

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES.
(1) It is a Gospel of the Universal Grace of God # Lu 2:32 3:6 24:47

(2) It is the Gospel of “The Son of Man.” It emphasizes Christ’s sympathetic attitude toward the POOR, the LOWLY, and the OUTCASTS.

  • The Poor disciples # Lu 6:20
  • the sinful woman # Lu 7:37
  • Mary Magdalene # Lu 8:2
  • the Samaritans # Lu 10:33
  • publicans and sinners # Lu 15:1
  • the deserted beggar # Lu 16:20,21
  • the lepers # Lu 17:12
  • the dying thief # Lu 23:43

(3) It is a Devotional Gospel; it especially emphasizes prayer
(a) It contains three parables on prayer not found in the other gospels.

The friend at midnight # Lu 11:5-8; the unjust judge # Lu 18:1-8; the Pharisee and publican
# Lu 18:9-14

(b) It contains Christ’s prayers, –  at his baptism # Lu 3:21; in the wilderness # Lu 5:16; before choosing the disciples # Lu 6:12; at the transfiguration # Lu 9:29; before giving the Lord’s Prayer # Lu 11:1; for Peter # Lu 22:32; in the garden of Gethsemane # Lu 22:44; on the cross # Lu 23:46

(4) In its early chapters it strikes the note of joy and praise. Some of the great Christian hymns are taken from this gospel. The Ave Maria,” the words of the Angel to Mary, # Lu 1:28-33

  • “The Magnificat,” Mary’s song # Lu 1:46-55
  • “The Benedictus,” of Zacharias # Lu 1:68-79
  • “The Gloria in ‘Excelsis,” of the heavenly angels # Lu 2:13-14
  • “The Nunc Dimittis,” the rejoicing of Simeon # Lu 2:29-32

(5) It greatly honours womanhood. Women appear prominently in Luke’s narrative. In chapter one, Mary, Elisabeth; # Lu 1:1

Mary and her sister Martha in chapter ten # Lu 10:1

the daughters of Jerusalem # Lu 23:27

several widows are mentioned # Lu 2:37 4:26 7:12 18:3 21:2

(6) The Biography of Christ is more complete in Luke than in either of the other Gospels. About one half of the material in this book is not in the others. Many of the most important utterances of our Lord, and striking incidents of his life are recorded in this one gospel. Examples of this are,–

  • The draught of fishes # Lu 5:6
  • raising the widow’s son # Lu 7:11-15
  • the ten lepers # Lu 17:12
  • Malchus healed # Lu 22:51

For the parables which occur only in Luke
Other incidents and saying recorded only by Luke,– Christ weeping over Jerusalem  # Lu 19:41

  • reference to the conversation of Moses and Elias on the Mount of Transfiguration # Lu 9:30,31
  • the bloody sweat # Lu 22:44
  • Christ before Herod # Lu 23:8
  • Christ’s words to the women of Jerusalem # Lu 23:28
  • the penitent thief # Lu 23:40
  • the walk to Emmaus # Lu 24:13-31

SYNOPSIS
(1) The introduction # Lu 1:1-4

The birth of Jesus and incidents connected with his early life up to the time of his baptism and temptation # Lu 1:5 – 4:13

(2) The beginning of his public ministry, mainly in Galilee # Lu 4:14 – 9:50

(3) The journey toward Jerusalem, through Samaria and Perea; the ministry mainly in Perea
# Lu 9:51 – 19:28

(4) The last days, including the events of Passion Week and the crucifixion # Lu 19:29 – 23:55

(5) Events connected with the Resurrection and the Ascension # Lu 24:1-51