Luke - Introduction

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NEXT I. Prologue, Birth, and Childhood (Luke 1:1–2:51)

Introduction

Author

ALL FOUR OF THE GOSPELS ARE anonymous, including the one attributed to Luke. However, we have good evidence for believing that Luke has been correctly identified as the author of the book bearing his name. First, the earliest manuscripts that exist include the name “Luke” in the title. Second, New Testament scholars agree that Luke and Acts are two works by the same author, and both are addressed to “Theophilus” (see Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3). In Acts 16:10-17, during Paul’s second missionary journey, the narrative changes from third person, “they,” to first person, “we” (see also Acts 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-37; 28:1-16). Thus, the author of Acts—and Luke—was one of Paul’s traveling companions. Third, early Christian writers (e.g., Papias, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, the Muratorian Canon, and Tertullian) unanimously affirm that Luke, the physician and companion of Paul (see Col 4:14; Phlm 24; 2 Tim 4:11), was the author. Granted, the writer could have been a different companion of Paul’s. But since the early church didn’t propose any other names, this is unlikely.

Identifying Luke as the author makes sense of features in the Gospel. For example, the author claims that he learned about the life and teaching of Jesus from “eyewitnesses” (Luke 1:2). Therefore, he was not himself an eyewitness to Jesus. In addition, Paul indicates that Luke was not “of the circumcised,” that is, a Jew (see Col 4:10-14). In other words, he was a Gentile. This would explain the emphasis on Gentiles in both Luke and Acts.

Historical Background

Many scholars believe Mark’s Gospel was written first and that Matthew and Luke made use of it when they authored their Gospels. If this is the case, Luke would have been written after Mark, which probably dates to the 50s. But Luke would also have been written prior to Acts. Acts, which refers to the Gospel of Luke as “the first narrative” (Acts 1:1), was apparently written prior to Paul’s release from prison in Rome (see Acts 28:16-31). After his release around AD 60, Paul continued his missionary work and was later imprisoned again and martyred about AD 66/67. So if Acts was completed around AD 60, then Luke would’ve been written in the late 50s.

Luke addressed his Gospel and Acts to “most honorable Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Since Luke addressed him in this way, he was apparently a person of high social status and perhaps wealthy too. Many scholars believe Theophilus may have served as Luke’s patron, funding the production of his work.

Message and Purpose

Luke wrote his Gospel to provide a well-documented account of the life of Jesus Christ. Luke shows Jesus—fully God and fully man—moving among the people in compassion to free them from the myriad of things oppressing them. The disregarded, the outcast, the forgotten, and the marginalized got to see and experience the love of Christ—even if Jesus had to confront the Jewish leaders to do it. Luke reveals to us that God is no respecter of persons; he opened his heart to the needy through the kingdom ministry of his Son. The Son of Man who heals the sick, raises the dead, and calls the prodigal back is also the transcendent God who calls all people to himself in salvation.

Luke also demonstrates through the genealogy and birth of Jesus that he has the right to claim the title of Son of David, the Messiah and King. Throughout the book, Jesus used the Word of God to open people’s minds and hearts to who he is—just as he did on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. The God of Luke is touchable and knowable!

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