AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF LUKE

Luke was a physician.

Like the Gospel writer Mark, Luke was not one of Jesus’ 12 apostles. Also, Luke did not refer to himself
as an eyewitness of the events in Jesus’ life. He became a disciple probably sometime after Jesus’ death

In time, he travelled with the Apostle Paul.

Luke's Gospel covers the time period from 3 B.C.E to 33 C.E. He wrote in logical order, often
chronologically.

Nearly sixty percent of the material in this book is unique in comparison with the other Gospels. For
example, at least six of Jesus’ miracles are found exclusively in Luke's account.

Luke uses more than 300 terms that were either used in medicine, or to which he gives a medical
meaning. Only Luke speaks of a man “full of leprosy” and of Peter’s mother-in-law having a “high fever”.

Luke likely wrote his Gospel in Caesarea, while Paul was in prison there, from about 56 to

58 C.E.

So, although appearing after Mark in the Bible, Luke was the second of the four Gospels to be written.

In addition to having access to Matthew's Gospel, Luke was no doubt moved by God's spirit to interview
reliable eye witnesses of Jesus’ ministry, and to examine trustworthy historical documents.

Luke contains 24 chapters.

1
Chapters 1 and 2 provide information about the early years of John the Baptist and Jesus. As foretold by
an angel, Elizabeth gives birth to John. Mary gives birth to Jesus about six months later.

Did you know? Luke is the only Gospel writer who included an account of Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy.
Luke may have obtained this family history from Jesus’ mother, Mary.

Chapter 3 provides material that aids in determining when John the Baptist and Jesus began their
ministries. Noteworthy too is the record of Jesus’ genealogy tracing Mary's family through King David,
and all the way back to Adam, son of God.

Chapters 4 to 9 relate the preaching and healing work of Jesus’ early ministry, primarily in the region of
Galilee. Luke conveys not only specific details regarding the sicknesses that Jesus healed, but also
conveys the compassion with which Jesus cured people.

Chapter 6 describes how Jesus, after a whole night in prayer, chooses his twelve apostles. In Chapter 9,
Jesus sends out the 12 to preach the kingdom message and to heal the sick.

Chapter 10 to the middle of chapter 19 describes events that mostly take place in Judea and Perea. Jesus
increases the number of Kingdom proclaimers by sending out 70 more disciples to preach the message.
Jesus’ parables of the neighbourly Samaritan and the lost son, also known as the prodigal son, are
mentioned only in Luke's Gospel.

The latter part of chapter 19 to the end of chapter 23 records Jesus’ final public ministry in and around
Jerusalem, and events surrounding his death.

Chapter 21 includes Jesus’ prophecy pertaining to the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the “last days” of
this system of things. Luke adds pestilences as a feature of the “last days”, a detail not mentioned in the
accounts of Matthew or Mark.

The final chapter records events relating to Jesus’ resurrection. Luke is the only Gospel writer who
describes Jesus’ ascension to heaven.

As you read the Gospel of Luke note how Jesus zealously shared the Kingdom message and trained
others to do so; how he described the conditions that would mark the “last days”; and, how his healing
people of their afflictions shows what he will accomplish as King of God's Kingdom.