
Luke
INTRODUCTION
This Gospel and the Book of Acts were written by the same person. Early tradition and internal evidence identifies the author as Luke, a physician and companion of Paul on many missionary journeys (2 Tim. 4:11). Luke was a careful historian, who interviewed eyewitnesses to establish the factual basis of Christian faith (Luke 1:1–4; cf. Acts 10:39). Yet Luke’s history is anything but dull. This Gospel is rich with sympathetic sketches of the people Jesus met and ministered to. Among them are more women, more children, and more poor, than are mentioned in the other Gospels. This rich and complex work presents Jesus not only as a historic and admirable Person, but also as the Saviour come to “seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Other themes that are emphasized by Luke are Jesus’ prayer life and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Appropriately, expressions of joy and praise abound in this Gospel of the glory of God as disclosed in His Son (1:46–55; 2:13–14; 7:16; 10:21; 18:43; 19:37–38).
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
I. | Introduction | Luke 1:1–4 |
II. | Birth and Childhood | Luke 1:5–2:52 |
III. | Preparation for Ministry | Luke 3:1–4:13 |
IV. | Galilean Ministry | Luke 4:14–9:50 |
V. | Teaching and Travels | Luke 9:51–19:44 |
VI. | The Final Week | Luke 19:45–24:53 |