Who is the author of the Book of Luke?

Background and Purpose

The Gospel bearing the name of Luke presents a carefully investigated account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Early church tradition and modern scholarship both point to a physician named Luke as the primary author. Below follows a comprehensive exploration of the authorship of this book, drawing upon internal textual clues, early historical testimonies, and manuscript evidence.

I. Internal Evidence from the Gospel Itself

The opening to Luke provides insight into the author’s method:

Luke 1:1: “Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.”

Luke 1:2: “they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.”

Luke 1:3: “it seemed good to me as well, having investigated everything thoroughly from the beginning…”

These verses highlight the author’s careful investigation of events and his emphasis on eyewitness testimony. While the text does not explicitly name “Luke,” scholars note that its style and historical detail align with the companion volume, the Book of Acts, which consistently uses the first-person plural “we” in certain travel narratives (Acts 16:10, 20:5, 27:1, etc.). This points to an author who traveled alongside the Apostle Paul. In Paul’s letters, a co-laborer named Luke is identified as a physician (Colossians 4:14) and is pointedly distinguished from those “of the circumcision,” suggesting a Gentile background. These clues help match the unnamed author of Luke–Acts with the Luke who traveled with Paul.

II. External Testimony and Early Church Tradition

1. Statements of the Church Fathers

Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus (late 2nd century AD) affirmed Luke as the author of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts. The Muratorian Fragment (also 2nd century) includes a list of canonical writings and attributes the third Gospel to Luke, the companion of Paul. These testimonies emerged shortly after the completion of the New Testament writings, underscoring the early and unchallenged acceptance of Luke’s authorship.

2. Ancient Manuscript Headings and Titles

Extant Greek manuscripts of the Gospel carry titles like “According to Luke.” These titles are not original to the text but were attached quite early, consistent with the uniformity of patristic witness assigning attention to Luke as its writer. The consistent assignment of the Gospel to Luke, without contention in early church history, points to a strong and unbroken tradition.

3. Distinctive Vocabulary and Medical Language

Commentators have observed that the Gospel of Luke employs technical terms and descriptions that align with the language of a medical professional. This echoes Paul’s reference to Luke as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). Another distinctive feature is the author’s detailed interest in historical setting, genealogies, and chronological markers (Luke 3:1), consistent with the endeavors of an educated, meticulous researcher.

III. The Two-Volume Work: Luke and Acts

Luke authored both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The introduction to each volume links them as consecutive accounts addressed to “Theophilus” (see Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). When compared, the linguistic and stylistic similarities make a compelling case for single authorship. Because the Book of Acts details events later than the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and includes the “we” sections where the narrator travels with Paul, the same author’s hand is evident in both Luke and Acts.

IV. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

1. Accuracy of Historical References

The Gospel of Luke carefully situates Jesus’ birth, public ministry, and surrounding events within specific historical contexts (Luke 2:1–2 references Caesar Augustus and Quirinius). Archaeological research has confirmed the existence of figures and the political framework Luke mentions. Notably, inscriptions and external records align with the details provided—suggesting Luke’s commitment to thorough, historically verifiable reporting.

2. Manuscript Evidence

Early manuscript copies of Luke—such as portions preserved in Papyrus 75 (late 2nd to early 3rd century) and Codex Sinaiticus (4th century)—further establish the text’s antiquity and continuity. Textual experts note highly consistent lines of transmission, which supports the reliability of Luke’s Gospel in tying it to a single, well-recognized author.

V. The Role of Luke as an Eyewitness Historian

Though Luke himself was not an apostolic eyewitness, he carefully gathered information from primary witnesses (Luke 1:2). The polished Greek style, historical detail, and structurally systematic approach indicate a writer trained in methods akin to contemporary historians, collecting firsthand testimony and shaping it into an orderly narrative.

As a traveling companion of Paul, Luke had direct contact with key figures in the early Christian community, further strengthening his ability to record the events accurately. Luke’s references to places, customs, and times reveal an individual deeply familiar with both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures.

VI. Conclusion

From every angle—internal consistency, external tradition, manuscript evidence, and historical corroboration—the Gospel of Luke is rightly attributed to Luke the physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. The early church unanimously recognized him as the author, and modern scholarship finds little reason to doubt that identification.

His purpose in crafting this Gospel was to provide an orderly and carefully researched historical account of the life and ministry of Jesus, a purpose stated plainly in Luke’s prologue (Luke 1:3). By gathering eyewitness testimony and verifying the details, Luke produced a record that consistently demonstrates historical reliability and theological depth. This account, in union with the Book of Acts, stands as a cornerstone of early Christian history, documenting events that formed the foundation for believers across all centuries—and continuing to serve as a trusted document for studying the life and work of Christ.