The original author had a purpose, a message to communicate. Luke s prologue can also be called an exordium, which is a literary device that was also used by other greek writers. Background general features luke is the only gospel with a sequel, and the only gospel which takes us from jesus birth to resurrection luke is the longest gospel. Background matthew, the author, was a tax collector. Luke is the longest of the four gospels and the longest book in the new testament. For instance, luke is the only gospel to have a sequel. Book of luke overview insight for living ministries. Much of the dating of the book of luke depends on the dating of acts.
Luke was probably writing in the latter decades of the first century, probably in a thoroughly. These two books are often referred to as a single unit called luke acts. Paul the apostle, and the most literary of the new. The resurrection of jesus according to luke knowable word. This gospel is a companion volume to the book of acts, and the language and structure of these two books indicate that both were written by the same person. This is why luke describes in great detail the incarnation of the son of god, his birth, his childhood, his obedience towards. Paul the apostle, and was written for gentile converts. Historical context for lukejohn by unknown the core. Each packet in this series contains important background information on a specific biblical booksuch as authorship, date, setting, and book outlines gleamed from sources that are both rich and tested. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a physician and a close companion of the apostle paul, wrote both luke and acts colossians 4. In his day, tax collectors were considered to be in the same class of society as harlots, thieves and murderers. All of this reading should enable you to write a 12 page section on the historical, cultural, and literary background of your passage. Luke was not, then, an eyewitness of the gospel events.
Gospel according to luke, third of the four new testament gospels and, with mark and matthew, one of the three synoptic gospels. One ancient prologue written to introduce the gospel describes luke as a syrian. Introduction to the gospel of luke study resources. At the end of the gospel of luke jesus says that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in. This summary of the gospel of luke provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the gospel of luke. But the location of lukes composition is a bit of a mystery. The gospel of luke is one of four gospels of the new testament of the bible matthew, mark, luke, and john. Luke had no way of knowing how long the church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course, the book of acts will be one of its major guides. It tells of the origins, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of jesus christ. Purpose as an overall background of our two part document on biblical literalism or symbolism 2 we are publishing below a concise but clear history about by whom, where, when and under what conditions the four gospels were written. The book of luke is a gospel that contains narrative history, genealogy, sermons, parables, and some prophetic oracles.
Powerpoint backgrounds featuring scripture from the book of luke. What do we know about the context in which luke was writing. Luke intro to luke biblica the international bible society. Historical context for lukejohn by unknown the core curriculum. We do know he was a physician and the only gentile to write any part of the new testament. In acts we see basic principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems and persecutions. Luke, a doctor and a greek christian, wrote it circa 5961 a.
As we read the book of acts, we must always remember that it is the second of two volumes that luke wrote to theophilus. Unfortunately, and in a similar fashion to the other synoptics, the author does not directly identify himself within the text. With the broad contours of the old testament vision in mind, we should consider a third aspect of the theological background of acts. The first to identify the luke in pauls letters with the author of the gospel according to luke and acts was irenaeus, bishop of lyons in the late 2nd century. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john a. Watch our overview video on the book of luke, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
He is writing an orderly account for theophilus, that he would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. The author of luke had a cultivated literary background and wrote in good. The main subject of lukes presentation, though, is the person of the lord jesus as son of man, the true and perfect man who lived as the only just among the unjust and who suffered death for them on the cross. On the other hand there is enough internal and external evidence to conclude that it was written by luke the physician. Over the next few weeksthrough the end of maywe will be working through the gospel of luke i wanted to provide a bit of context for our study by looking at some background issues like genre, authorship, date, points of emphasis, and so forth as they pertain to luke. The gospel according to luke exhibits several differences from the other synoptic gospels. Intro to luke biblica the international bible society. He wrote this gospel and its sequel, the book of acts. Another is by reading luke in the context of similar greco roman divine saviour figures roman emperors are an example, references which. This would make luke the only gentile to pen any books of scripture. This dating also allows time for luke to use matthews gospel in composing his own gospel, as well as its sequel acts, ca. Luke 17 background information with maps and images. Saint luke, the traditional author of the gospel according to luke and the acts of.
For instance, luke is the only gospel to have a sequel, the acts of the apostles. Luke 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a freeflowing commentary on the entire text of each biblical book, along with background material. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. The authors name does not appear in the book, but much unmistakable evidence points to luke. Saint luke, also known as luke the evangelist, is widely regarded as the author of both the gospel of luke and the book of acts. The story of the storytellers the gospel of luke from jesus to. Because the book of acts is the sequel to luke, it should be considered when trying to define the. Luke could, however, have witnessed some events in acts. He wrote more of the new testament than anyone elseeven the apostle paul luke wasnt an eyewitness to jesus ministry, but he lived during the first century, and according to his own writings, he carefully investigated everything from the beginning. A brief introduction to the authorship, date and intended audience of lukes gospel. Luke was born in antioch and was one of the earliest converts to christianity. The gospel of luke was written to give a reliable and precise historical record of the life of jesus christ. The story of the storytellers the gospel of luke from. Little is known about luke, the author of the books of luke and acts in the bible.
Though, we cant be certain about every aspect of luke s background, we know he was referred to by paul as the beloved physician in colossians 4. In this examination of the gospel of luke, my objective is to present a summary of background and introductory issues, point out some general observations, delineate the purpose, theme, unfolding and outline of the gospel. The emphasis of luke is parables and contains more of them than any other gospel 19 total. Euangelion kata loukan, also called the gospel of luke, or simply luke, is the third of the four canonical gospels. Luke wrote two works, the third gospel, an account of the life and teachings of jesus, and the book of acts, which is an account of the growth and expansion of christianity after the death of. Luke spelled out his purpose for writing in the first four verses of chapter one. The gospel according to luke also called the gospel of luke, or simply luke, is the third of the. Paul the apostle, and the most literary of the new testament writers. And in the 6th month gabriel was sent to nazareth where and when jesus was conceived in the womb of mary by the holy spirit. The unbelief of zacharias, her husband, and how gabriel dealt with him.
Lukes purpose is evident from the first verses of his book luke 1. Profile of luke the evangelist, author of a gospel acts. Though dating the gospel maybe difficult or complicated, it is even more problematic to determine where matthew wrote the gospel. Luke and acts constitutes 24% of the nt luke is the only gospel with a sequel luke and acts are joined by their prologues, style, language, theology and even. Mary fairchild is a fulltime christian minister, writer, and editor of two christian anthologies, including stories of cavalry.
The gospel according to luke, written in roughly 85 c. The roman catholic church and other major denominations venerate him as saint luke the evangelist and as a patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students and butchers. Luke, also called saint luke the evangelist, flourished 1st century ce. Summary of insights the city of ephesus was an important city, and because of its strategic value, paul and his team. Download lesson notes, powerpoints, discussion questions, audio, video. Luke is the one who tells us about the women who followed jesus luke 8. Pauls letter to the colossians draws a distinction between luke and other colleagues of the circumcision, meaning the jews colossians 4. Luke with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Introduction to the gospel of matthew study resources. Luke in the picture study bible the book of luke with. Another difference between luke and the other synoptics is the prologue. He was also the author of its companion work, the book of acts. Lukestrictly speaking, the gospel of luke is anonymous, but luke the physician and companion of paul is probably the author of the gospel by his name. In fact, it has been called the most beautiful book ever written.
In elegant and articulate style, luke gives the reader a powerful and emotional picture of the christ. Weve previously looked at matthews account, and today we turn to luke the purpose of luke. Bob utley, retired professor of hermeneutics biblical interpretation table of contents. Luke is also the one who tells us of the parable of the good samaritan luke 10. There is no guarantee that a specific passage will have important elements in each of these categories, but there will definitely be at least general historical, cultural, or literary aspects to your passage. This will will serve to further cement the faith in god and his word as transmitted to and through man. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write. He edited traditional material of which he came into possession. These same principles continue to be applicable until christ returns.
The first principle is to note the historical setting in which a biblical book was written and the particular historical occasion for its authorship. This is why in the gospel according to mark and luke he is identified as levi. Sermonarys bible background series is designed to help pastors and teachers study the setting and details behind every book in the bible. Luke chapter 1 has many points, however the gist is the conception of john the baptist who was in the womb of elizabeth. Thus, a man with the means of theophilus was used by god to fund the ancient twovolume work we find in the gospel of luke and the acts of the apostles which was written and compiled by a man with dr. Luke, welleducated in classical greek and noted for his literary talent, wrote his gospel and a sequel, the acts of the apostles, which follows the.