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The Gospel according Luke was written in 60 A.D. Luke, a close friend and companion of Paul, is perhaps the only Gentile author of any portion of the New Testament. Luke was also a physician. Colossians 4:14: "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ and little is known of his conversion or his early life. Luke was an evangelist by calling and a physician by profession. Luke not only wrote the Gospel of Luke but also the book of Acts and he traveled with Paul as a missionary. Luke was with Paul when he was martyred. As to the rest of Luke’s life, we know very little.
Luke’s writing style seems to be influenced the writings and works of others. Luke interviewed eyewitnesses, studied the information he received and arranged it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
Luke 1:1-4: "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."
The Gospel of Luke is a very thoroughly researched and documented writing. Luke seems to have taken great care in the research and writing of this document. It can be assumed that Luke’s great care in research and documentation came about from his chosen profession as a physician.
The writing of this Gospel is directed mainly towards Theophilus, but still directed towards all Gentiles. Luke talks about many medical issues and gives great attention to the retelling of the birth of Christ. The Gospel of Luke is the only account of the proclamation to Zacharias and Mary, the birth and childhood of John the Baptist, the songs of Mary and Elizabeth, the birth of Jesus, the visit from the shepherds, circumcision, details of Christ’s childhood and the thoughts of Mary. Luke also shows a great interest in the individual lives of Zaccheus, the thief on the cross, the prodigal son, the publican and many others. Luke also relates the story of the Good Samaritan and the thankful leper.
The Gospel of Luke also places a special emphasis on prayer, women, poverty and wealth. Luke also contains four magnificent hymns:
· The Magnificat of Mary 1:46-55
· The Benedictus of Zechariah 1:67-79
· The Gloria in Excelsis of the Angels 2:14
· The Nunc Dimittis of Simeon 2:29-32
The Gospel of Luke is a very compassionate writing giving a very tender look at the redeeming quality of Christ, the Son of Man who offers salvation to the entire world. The main theme of Luke is Christ, the Son of Man. Many of the happenings of Christ’s life are depicted showing his humility and love for humankind.
An outline to the Gospel of Luke:
I. The purpose and method of writing the Gospel of Luke 1:1-4
II. The Son of Man and His identification with man 1:5 – 4:13
A. The announcing of the birth of John the Baptist 1:5-25
B. The announcing of the birth of Jesus 1:26-56
C. The birth of John the Baptist 1:57-80
D. The birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man 2:1-20
E. The baby Jesus is adored 2:21-38
F. The growth of the child Jesus 2:39-52
G. The baptism and genealogy of Jesus Christ 3:1-38
H. The temptation of Christ, the Son of Man 4:1-13
III. The Ministry of Christ, the Son of Man to man 4:14 – 9:50
A. Christ’s ministry announced 4:14-30
B. Christ’s authority in His ministry 4:31- 6:11
1. Christ’s authority over demons
2. Christ’s authority over disease
3. Christ’s authority over the disciples
4. Christ’s authority over the leper
5. Christ’s authority over paralysis
6. Christ’s authority over the despised
7. Christ’s authority days
8. Christ’s authority over deformity
C. The Disciples 6:12-49
1. The disciples are called
2. The characteristics of the disciples are given in the great Sermon (6:17-49)
D. Christ’s ministry 7:1 – 9:50
1. His ministry to the sick
2. His ministry dealing with death
3. His ministry dealing with doubt
4. His ministry to the sinners
5. The financing of His ministry
6. His ministry shown through the parables
7. He ministers during storms
8. His ministry over demons, death and despair
9. His ministry through the disciples
10. He ministers to physical needs
11. He tells things to come
IV. The denial of Christ by man 9:51 – 19:27
A. He is rejected by the Samaritans 9:51-56
B. He is rejected by Worldly people 9:57-62
C. The commissioning of the Seventy 10:1-24
D. The parable of the Good Samaritan 10:25-37
E. His instruction on prayer 11:1-13
F. His rejection by the Nation and by Pharisees and Lawyers 11:14-54
G. He instructs on rejection 12:1 – 19:27
1. Christ speaks about hypocrisy
2. Christ speaks about coveting
3. Christ speaks about faith
4. Christ speaks about division and signs
5. Christ speaks about repentance
6. Christ speaks again about hypocrisy
7. Christ speaks about His Kingdom
8. Christ speaks about stubbornness
9. Christ speaks about boastful people
10. Christ speaks about wishy-washy people
11. Christ speaks about full commitments to Him
12. Christ speaks about God’s love for sinners
13. Christ speaks about wealth
14. Christ speaks about forgiveness, service, gratitude, His kingdom and prayer
15. Christ speaks about His death
16. Christ speaks about salvation and faithfulness
V. The Condemnation of Christ for the sake of man 19:28 – 23:56
A. Sunday 19:28-44 (His coming to Jerusalem)
B. Monday 19:45-48 (Entering the temple)
C. Tuesday 20:1 – 21:38
1. Christ authority is challenged
2. His authority is revealed
3. His authority is resisted
4. His authority is restated
5. An apocalyptic discourse is given
D. Wednesday & Thursday 22:1-53 (Feast of unleavened bread, Passover and the Lord’s Supper)
1. The Passover
2. The Lord’s Supper
3. The garden of Gethsemane
4. The arrest of Christ
E. Friday 22:54 – 23:55
1. Peter denies Christ
2. Christ is abused and beaten
3. Christ goes before the Sanhedrin
4. Christ goes before Pilate
5. Christ goes before Herod
6. Christ goes before Pilate again
7. The crucifixion of Christ
8. The burial of Christ
F. Saturday 23:56 (they rested)
VI. The victory of Christ before man 24:1-53
A. Christ’s victory over death 24:1-12
B. The Emmaus Road 24:13-35
C. Resurrection life and its evidence to the people 24:36-43
D. The Words of Christ and the promise of His Father 24:44-49
E. Christ ascends 24:50-53
Resources:
KJV Holy Bible
NIV Holy Bible, Thompson Chain Study Reference
New Jerusalem Bible
Matthew Henry Commentary
Darby Commentary
RSV Holy Bible
Barclay’s Commentary
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