Gospel Of Luke
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The Gospel of Luke is the third book of the New Testament and one of the four canonical Gospels. It is traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. Luke's Gospel is unique in its detailed narrative and emphasis on the universality of the message of Jesus Christ. It is part of a two-volume work, with the Acts of the Apostles serving as its sequel, both addressed to a certain Theophilus (Luke 1:3).

Authorship and Date

The authorship of the Gospel of Luke is ascribed to Luke, the "beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14), who is believed to have been a Gentile convert to Christianity. Early church tradition, including writings from Irenaeus and Eusebius, supports Luke's authorship. The Gospel is generally dated to around 60-80 AD, with some scholars suggesting a date closer to 60 AD due to its connection with the Acts of the Apostles.

Purpose and Themes

Luke's Gospel is written with a clear purpose: to provide an orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, so that Theophilus and other readers "may know the certainty of the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:4). The Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Savior of all people, highlighting His compassion for the marginalized, including women, the poor, and Gentiles.

Key themes in Luke include the universality of the Gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and joy. Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, a title that underscores His humanity and His role as the representative of all humankind.

Structure and Content

The Gospel of Luke is structured around the life of Jesus, beginning with the birth narratives and concluding with His resurrection and ascension. It can be divided into several key sections:

1. Infancy Narratives (Luke 1-2): These chapters include the announcements of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, the birth of Jesus, and events from His early life. The narrative is rich with hymns and prophecies, such as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) and the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32).

2. Preparation for Ministry (Luke 3-4): This section covers the ministry of John the Baptist, the baptism and genealogy of Jesus, and His temptation in the wilderness.

3. Galilean Ministry (Luke 4-9): Jesus' teaching and miracles in Galilee are highlighted, including the calling of the disciples, the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), and the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).

4. Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9-19): This travel narrative includes parables unique to Luke, such as the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), emphasizing themes of repentance and forgiveness.

5. Passion Week (Luke 19-23): The events of Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, including the Last Supper, His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial, are recounted with a focus on His innocence and fulfillment of prophecy.

6. Resurrection and Ascension (Luke 24): The Gospel concludes with the resurrection appearances of Jesus, His teaching to the disciples, and His ascension into heaven.

Distinctive Features

Luke's Gospel is noted for its literary quality and historical detail. It includes several parables and events not found in the other Gospels, such as the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) and the account of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). Luke also provides a more comprehensive account of the birth and early life of Jesus, offering insights into the lives of Mary and Elizabeth.

The Gospel of Luke is a testament to the inclusive nature of the Christian message, portraying Jesus as the compassionate Savior who reaches out to all people, regardless of their social or ethnic background. Through its detailed narrative and theological depth, Luke's Gospel continues to be a vital source for understanding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Gospel Of Luke

The third Gospel is ascribed, by the general consent of ancient Christendom, to "the beloved physician," Luke, the friend and companion of the apostle Paul.

  1. Date of the Gospel of Luke . --From (Acts 1:1) it is clear that the Gospel described "the former treatise" was written before the Acts of the Apostles; but how much earlier is uncertain. Perhaps it was written at Caesarea during St. Paul's imprisonment there, A.D. 58-60.
  2. Place where the Gospel was written. --If the time has been rightly indicated, the place would be Caesarea.
  3. Origin of the Gospel. --The preface, contained in the first four verses of the Gospel, describes the object of its writer. Here are several facts to be observed. There were many narratives of the life of our Lord Current at the early time when Luke wrote his Gospel. The ground of fitness for the task St. Luke places in his having carefully followed out the whole course of events from the beginning. He does not claim the character of an eye-witness from the first but possibly he may have been a witness of some part of our Lord's doings. The ancient opinion that Luke wrote his Gospel under the influence of Paul rests on the authority of Irenreus, Tertulian, Origen and Eusebius. The four verses could not have been put at the head of a history composed under the exclusive guidance of Paul or of any one apostle and as little could they have introduced a gospel simply communicated by another. The truth seems to be that St. Luke, seeking information from every quarter, sought it from the preaching of his be loved master St. Paul; and the apostle in his turn employed the knowledge acquired from other sources by his disciple.
  4. Purpose for which the Gospel was written. --The evangelist professes to write that Theophilus "might know the certainty of those things wherein he had been instructed." ch, (Luke 1:4) This Theophilus was probably a native of Italy and perhaps an inhabitant of Rome, in tracing St. Paul's journey to Rome, places which an Italian might be supposed not to know are described minutely, (Acts 27:8,12,16) but when he comes to Sicily and Italy this is neglected. Hence it would appear that the person for whom Luke wrote in the first instance was a Gentile reader; and accordingly we find traces in the Gospel of a leaning toward Gentile rather than Jewish converts.
  5. Language and style of the Gospel. --It has never been doubted that the Gospel was written in Greek, whilst Hebraisms are frequent, classical idioms and Greek compound words abound, for which there is classical authority. (Prof. Gregory, in "Why Four Gospels" says that Luke wrote for Greek readers, and therefore the character and needs of the Greeks furnish the key to this Gospel. The Greek was the representation of reason and humanity. He looked upon himself as having the mission of perfecting man. He was intellectual, cultured, not without hope of a higher world. Luke's Gospel therefore represented the character and career of Christ as answering the conception of a perfect and divine humanity. Reason, beauty righteousness and truth are exhibited as they meet in Jesus in their full splendor. Jesus was the Saviour of all men, redeeming them to a perfect and cultured manhood. --ED.)
Greek
3065. Loukas -- Luke, a Christian
... Loukas Phonetic Spelling: (loo-kas') Short Definition: Lucas, Luke Definition: Lucas,
Luke, Christian physician and writer of the Third Gospel and Acts. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3065.htm - 6k

2321. Theophilos -- "friend of God," Theophilus, the addressee of ...
... Spelling: (theh-of'-il-os) Short Definition: Theophilus Definition: Theophilus,
a friend of Luke of equestrian rank, to whom the Gospel and Acts are dedicated. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2321.htm - 6k

Library

The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition
The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition. <. The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition
Charles R. Erdman. Produced by Stephen Hope, Fox ...
//christianbookshelf.org/erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/

The Gospel of Luke
... The Gospel of Luke. CONTENTS Like the ... Jerome agrees. Athanasius states
that the Gospel of Luke was dictated by the apostle Paul. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of luke.htm

The Preface to the Gospel. Luke 1:1-4
The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition. <. ... I. THE PREFACE TO THE GOSPEL.
LUKE 1:1-4. 1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/i the preface to the.htm

The Gospel Feast, Luke 14 16 &C.
... Hymns. Book 3. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. Hymn 3:12. The gospel feast,
Luke 14. 16 &c. 1 [How rich are thy provisions Lord! ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 3 12 the gospel feast.htm

The Gospel Feast. Luke 14:16Ff.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 12 The gospel feast. Luke 14:16ff. LM The gospel feaLuke
14:16ff. [How rich are thy provisions, Lord! Thy table furnished from above! ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 12 the gospel feast.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... The Gospel of Luke. The numerical position which ... Luke's Gospel is concerned
with the Humanity of our Lord. In Matthew, Christ is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition
The Gospel of Luke, An Exposition. <. ... Title Page. The Gospel of Luke An Exposition.
By. Charles R. Erdman. Professor of Practical Theology. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/title page.htm

The Gospel According to Luke.
... Exegetical Fragments. I."A Commentary on the Beginning of Ecclesiastes. II."The
Gospel According to Luke. An Interpretation."Chap. XXII.42-48. Ver.42. ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/ii the gospel according to luke.htm

Of Luke's Gospel, and Specially of the Harmony Between Its ...
... the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. 9. Next in succession, therefore,
let us now go over the Gospel of Luke in regular order. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter viii of lukes gospel and.htm

St. Luke's Gospel, Selected by Marcion as his Authority, and ...
... Chapter II."St. Luke's Gospel, Selected by Marcion as His Authority, and Mutilated
by Him. The Other Gospels Equally Authoritative. ... Luke's Gospel Alone. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter ii st lukes gospel selected.htm

Resources
What is the Gospel Coalition? | GotQuestions.org

Is handing out gospel tracts a good evangelism method? | GotQuestions.org

What is the gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Gospel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Gospel

Gospel According To the Hebrews

Gospel Of John

Gospel Of Luke

Gospel Of Mark

Gospel Of Matthew

Gospel: Called the New Covenant

Gospel: Called: Doctrine According to Godliness

Gospel: Called: Form of Sound Words

Gospel: Called: Glorious Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of God

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Peace

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Gospel of the Kingdom

Gospel: Called: Ministration of the Spirit

Gospel: Called: Mystery of Christ

Gospel: Called: Mystery of the Gospel

Gospel: Called: Preaching of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: The Dispensation of the Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Kingdom of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Christ

Gospel: Called: Word of Faith

Gospel: Called: Word of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Life

Gospel: Called: Word of Reconciliation

Gospel: Called: Word of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Word of Truth

Gospel: Compared to a Feast

Gospel: Compared to a Householder

Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed

Gospel: Compared to a Pearl of Great Price

Gospel: Compared to a Treasure Hidden in a Field

Gospel: Compared to Good Seed

Gospel: Compared to Leaven (Yeast)

Gospel: Prophecies Relating To

Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Doctrine According to Godliness

The Gospel is Called the Form of Sound Words

The Gospel is Called the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Peace

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospel is Called the Ministration of the Spirit

The Gospel is Called the Mystery of the Gospel

The Gospel is Called the Preaching of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith

The Gospel is Called the Word of God

The Gospel is Called the Word of Grace

The Gospel is Called the Word of Life

The Gospel is Called the Word of Reconciliation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth

The Gospel is Everlasting

The Gospel is Glorious

The Gospel is Good Tidings of Great Joy for all People

The Gospel is Hid to Them That are Lost

The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation

The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying

The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder

The Gospel: Brings Peace

The Gospel: Exhibits the Grace of God

The Gospel: Foretold

The Gospel: Let Him Who Preached Another, be Accursed

The Gospel: Life and Immortality are Brought to Light by Jesus Through

The Gospel: Ministers Have a Stewardship to Preach

The Gospel: Must be Believed

The Gospel: Preached Beforehand to Abraham

The Gospel: Preached by Christ

The Gospel: Preached to Every Creature

The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles

The Gospel: Preached to The Jews First

The Gospel: Preached to The Poor

The Gospel: Preached Under the Old Testament

The Gospel: Produces Hope

The Gospel: Profession of, Attended by Afflictions

The Gospel: Promises to Sufferers

The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold

The Gospel: Rejection of, by the Jews, a Means of Blessing to The

The Gospel: Saints Have Fellowship In

The Gospel: Testifies to the Final Judgment

The Gospel: The Knowledge of the Glory of God is By

The Gospel: There is Fulness of Blessing In

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Adhere to the Truth of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Earnestly Contend for the Faith of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Have Their Conversation Becoming

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Live in Subjection To

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should not be Ashamed of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Friends and Property For

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Life Itself For

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Gospel Of John
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