Luke
New Testament · Gospels · 24 chapters
Reading time
~2.5 h
Difficulty
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In the story
After the Old Testament's promises; continued in Acts.
The name
Named after Luke, traditionally the companion of Paul and the physician mentioned in Colossians 4:14.
Traditional attribution
Luke, companion of Paul, who also wrote Acts (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1).
Modern scholarship on authorship
Most scholars accept common authorship with Acts; identification with Luke the companion of Paul is widely held but debated.
Approximate date
Commonly dated c. AD 80–90 by scholars; some argue for the early 60s.
Audience
Addressed to “Theophilus” and a largely Gentile Christian readership.
Purpose
An ordered account so that readers may know the certainty of what they have been taught (Luke 1:3–4).
Major themes
- Mercy to sinners and outsiders
- Prayer
- The Holy Spirit
- Joy
- Women disciples
- The poor
Structure
- Prologue (1:1–4)
- Infancy narratives (1–2)
- Ministry in Galilee (3–9)
- Journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:27)
- Jerusalem: Passion and Resurrection (19–24)
How it connects to Christ
Jesus as the Saviour who seeks and saves the lost (Luke 19:10).
Awaiting theological review