About the Author

Who wrote the book?

A Man named Luke (funny enough).

Who was Luke and where was he from?

The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 4:14 identifies Luke as a physician. We can deduce from this and other passages that Luke as a colleague of Paul, and likely came to trust in Jesus Christ based off Paul’s testimony. Reference passages include Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16.

According to church tradition we learn that Luke was likely from Antioch. However, this is impossible to verify. We do know that Luke was a Gentile based on how Paul writes about him in relation to other Jews. If the account of him being from Antioch is true, then that would mean that Luke is a Gentile from Greek descent. Actually knowing this will help to understand some of the things Luke puts in his Gospel account and his writing style.

Was Luke an apostle?

In short, no. Luke was a historian that was looking to give an account for his faith (Luke 1:1-4). Luke was not an eyewitness of the things he records. But he searches out evidence from those who were. Luke will even gather facts of Jesus’ young life from Mary, Jesus’s mother, herself (Luke 2:51)

It is possible that Luke had contacts in the Herodian court (the ruling class in Rome at the time). Which is why he is able to record some of the events that he does in verses like Luke 3:1, 19; 8:3; 9:7-9; 13:31; 23:7-12. He clearly and carefully writes out what he found. 

Anything else we should know about Luke?

He wrote two books, the Gospel account and the sequel, the Book of Acts. One interesting tidbit of information is that Luke does not mention his own name in either book. His name occurs in Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Philemon 24.

Time the Book was Written

When was Luke’s book written?

It is likely that the book was written sometime in the early 60’s A.D. Unfortunately it is impossible to get an exact date. We can guess this however based on events we know happened in history:

The book of Acts was written before the time of Nero’s persecution (64 A.D.). Otherwise Luke would have mentioned events such as the death of Paul. At the end of Acts, Paul is still alive and in prison.

In Acts, Luke doesn’t mention any event that we know happened after 62 A.D.

Luke will note the fulfillment of prophecy, specifically the prophecy of Agabus (Acts 11:28). If the Book of Acts was a later-dated book, after 70 A.D., then Luke would have mentioned the fulfillment of that prophecy.

Address (to whom was it written)

Was the book written to a specific person or people group? If so, then who was it written to?

Luke is writing both books to a man named Theophilus. In the book of Acts, Luke intends for Theophilus to recall the former letter as it is a continuation of the first book (Acts 1:1).

Who was Theophilus?

 Likely also a Greek Gentile, Theophilus seems to have had some exposure to the faith. Some commentators seem to think that he could have been struggling with his association in a movement that had Jewish origins. Some indications that he was a Gentile is seen in how Luke explains certain Jewish customs or names, like in Acts 1:19.

Anyone else this book is addressed to? 

Not directly. However Luke, likely being a Greek Gentile, is writing to another, likely Greek Gentile. Working through that thought, his book will address concepts that would be important to the Greek mind or way of thinking.

Subject of the book

What is the subject of the book?

Simply put, the subject is the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke will document the life of Christ from before His birth, through His ministry and into His death and resurrection.

As mentioned above, Luke is writing his book to a Greek audience. The Greeks had two main areas of interest:

1. The concept of the ideal man

Greek philosophers, such as Socrates and Aristotle would teach that the ideal man was someone who was self-disciplined, fit, and agile in both mind and body. Luke will present Jesus as such a person to fit this. Luke will also show the humanity of Jesus by telling how he develops from His youth. He will also note that Jesus was hungry, thirsty, tired, etc.

2. The idea of historical accuracy 

The Greeks were obsessed with the record of history and wanted to keep it in order. For example, much of what is known of ancient Egypt comes from the Greek records. Luke will admit in his opening verses that other narratives are available. In which he is likely referring to the writings of Matthew and Mark. However, Luke is seeking to give an account that would appeal to the Greek mind (Luke 1:3).

“Luke’s motivation was that he wanted to communicate the Messiah’s life in a way that would appeal to the Greek mindset” (2)

Luke was concerned with putting the events of Jesus’ life in strict, chronological order. Something that other Gospel writers aren’t overly concerned with. 

Aim

Why was Luke writing his account?

It is likely that Luke was aiming to provide a Greek account to the Life of the Jewish Messiah. He wanted to show Theophilus that his faith was founded on firm, historical fact (Luke 1:3-4)

Luke will present Jesus as the Son of Man, who had been rejected by Israel. He will explain how Jesus was not only the Messiah but a prophet like Moses, the Suffering Servant, and the one who is the Lord. He will detail how many become hostile towards Jesus and His teaching in chapters 9-13. And Luke will point out that the nation at large is to blame for the slaying of Jesus in chapter 23. But, he includes the fact that there will always be hope for the nation, both in his Gospel and in the book of Acts.

Luke has a timeline of progression in that he takes the reader through the progress of Jesus’s life as Messiah- Servant-Prophet-Lord. He does this to give a full portrait of Jesus.

Luke’s gospel will draw out Jesus’s compassion for the poor and outcast. He will highlight God’s love for all throughout Jesus’s life. Luke will spend time explaining the proper response to Jesus, which is to “repent” throughout many of His teachings. Luke will also take the time to highlight the relationship between Jesus and women, which is something other Gospel writers do not do.

Larry’s Final Thoughts…

Jesus carried out his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. His main announcement was around the Good News of Salvation in the Messiah. Luke reveals Jesus’s fulfillment of Messianic prophecy and repentance at both the racial (Jew & Gentile) and individual level. 
As we read through Luke, we are going to see God’s plan for salvation was thought out and on course. The death of the Messiah was always expected, as was His resurrection. As believers we are involved in the commission to take the message fo repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, to ALL nations (Luke 24:43-49).
“A feature of this Gospel is the way God’s love is portrayed as active in a variety of ways and among a variety of people. This is not an occasional theme, but one which runs through the whole writing” (7)

Citations

(1) Bock, D. L. (1998). Luke. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
(2) Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2020) Yeshua: The Life of Messiah fro a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Vol 1. San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries
(3) Johnson, L. T. (1992). Luke-Acts, Book of. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary. New York: Doubleday.
(4) Mangum, D. (Ed.). (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
(5) Marshall, I. H. (2004). New Testament theology: many witnesses, one Gospel. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
(6) McNeal, T. R. (2003). Luke, Gospel Of. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
(7)Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
(8) Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.