Luke
The physician's orderly Gospel: a Saviour for all people, from Bethlehem's manger to the road to Emmaus
Luke at a glance
The physician's orderly Gospel: a Saviour for all people, from Bethlehem's manger to the road to Emmaus
Luke is the third Gospel and the longest book of the New Testament. Its author, Luke 'the beloved physician' and companion of Paul, addresses it to 'most excellent Theophilus,' explaining that he has traced everything from the very first in order to give certainty about the things believed. Luke is the first volume of a two-part work continued in Acts. Writing especially with Gentile readers in mind, Luke traces Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Adam and presents him as the Saviour of all people - women, Samaritans, tax collectors, the poor, and the lost.
Only Luke gives us the fullest Christmas story: Gabriel's announcements, Mary's song, the manger in Bethlehem, angels and shepherds, and the boy Jesus in the temple. After the baptism and temptation, Jesus announces his mission at Nazareth - good news to the poor - and ministers through Galilee before setting his face toward Jerusalem. Along that road come the parables found nowhere else: the good Samaritan, the rich fool, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son, and the Pharisee and the publican. The book closes with the crucifixion, the empty tomb, the risen Lord walking to Emmaus, and his ascension.
Luke matters for its message that 'the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.' It is the Gospel of great joy, of prayer and the Holy Ghost, of songs and feasts, of mercy for outsiders - careful history in service of a universal Saviour.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 King James Version
Explore Luke
How Luke unfolds
7 sections- 1Prologue and birth narratives (ch. 1-2)Luke's dedication to Theophilus, Gabriel's announcements to Zacharias and Mary, the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus in Bethlehem, the shepherds and angels, and the twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple.
- 2Preparation for ministry (ch. 3-4:13)John the Baptist preaches repentance, Jesus is baptized and his genealogy traced back to Adam, and he overcomes the devil's three temptations in the wilderness.
- 3Ministry in Galilee (ch. 4:14-9:50)The Nazareth sermon and its rejection, the calling of the fishermen, healings and forgiveness, the centurion's faith, the widow of Nain's son raised, the twelve sent out, the five thousand fed, Peter's confession, and the transfiguration.
- 4The journey to Jerusalem begins (ch. 9:51-13)Jesus steadfastly sets his face toward Jerusalem. The seventy are sent out, and he teaches through the good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, the Lord's Prayer, the rich fool, and calls to repentance.
- 5Parables of the lost and teachings on the way (ch. 14-19:27)The great supper, counting the cost, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son; the rich man and Lazarus, ten lepers cleansed, the Pharisee and the publican, and Zacchaeus the tax collector up a sycomore tree.
- 6Jerusalem: the final week (ch. 19:28-21)The triumphal entry with weeping over the city, the cleansing of the temple, questions from the leaders, the widow's mites, and the prophecy of Jerusalem's fall and the Son of man's coming.
- 7Passion, resurrection, and ascension (ch. 22-24)The last supper, the agony in Gethsemane, Peter's denial, trials before the council, Herod, and Pilate, the crucifixion between two thieves, the empty tomb, the walk to Emmaus, and the ascension at Bethany.
People to know
6 figures- Jesus ChristThe Saviour of all people, friend of publicans and sinners, come to seek and to save that which was lost.
- LukeThe beloved physician and companion of Paul who compiled this orderly account for Theophilus.
- MaryThe virgin mother of Jesus, whose song of praise, the Magnificat, opens the book's worship.
- John the BaptistSon of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner who prepares the way of the Lord.
- ZacchaeusThe rich chief publican of Jericho who climbs a sycomore tree to see Jesus and receives salvation at his house.
- TheophilusThe addressee of the Gospel, to whom Luke writes so he may know the certainty of the things he was taught.
Words worth carrying with you
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 · KJV
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:31 · KJV
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10 · KJV
Think you know Luke?
90 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.
Leading a group? Download the free printable Luke quiz pack (PDF) - questions, answer key with verses, and a score sheet.
The whole book, on video
The full narrated quiz - timed, illustrated, and made for playing together.
Bible Quiz: Luke - The Son of Man | 30 Questions
Bible Quiz: Luke - Stories Jesus Told | 30 Questions
Hard Luke Bible Quiz - Can You Score 30/30?