What makes Luke unique?
Luke is the first part of a
two-volume work that includes The Acts of the Apostles. This is clear
from the introductions to both books (see Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-5).
These books together tell about the life of Jesus from his birth until
he was taken to heaven (Luke), and then they report how the early
followers of Jesus continued to spread the teachings of Jesus and tell
about his life (Acts).
Why was Luke written?
The
author of Luke says that he has "made a careful study of everything and
then decided to write and tell exactly what took place" (1:3)
concerning Jesus. The book is dedicated to Theophilus, a friend or
supporter.
What's the story behind the scene?
Luke
was likely created from at least three different sources: (1) the book
of Mark; (2) a collection of Jesus' sayings, which Matthew also used;
and (3) a collection of stories not included in any other Gospel. Luke
probably wrote this Gospel some time after A.D. 70, the year the Romans
destroyed Jerusalem and the temple while putting down a Jewish revolt.
Luke 19:43,44 appears to give details of this event. Luke's stories
about the birth of Jesus are more detailed than those of any other New
Testament book. And some familiar stories called "parables" that Jesus
used in teaching about God's love are found only in Luke: "The Good
Samaritan" (10:25-37), "One Sheep" (15:1-7), and "The Prodigal Son"
(15.11-32). Luke is the only Gospel that tells how Jesus visited the
home of the hated tax collector named Zacchaeus (19.1-10) and promised
life in paradise to a dying criminal (23:39-43). Luke, like Acts, often
mentions God's Holy Spirit (1:15, 35; 4:1, 14, 18; 10:21; 11:13). Luke
also shows how important prayer was to Jesus (3:21; 6:12; 9:18; and
23:34,46). From Luke we learn of three stories that Jesus used in
teaching about prayer (11:5-9; 18:1-8, 9-14). Jesus' concern for the
poor is an important theme in Luke. The good news is preached to them
(4:18; 7:22); they receive God's blessings (6:20); they are invited to
a great banquet (14:13,21); the poor beggar named Lazarus is taken to
heaven by angels (16:20,22); and Jesus commands his disciples to sell
what they have and give the money to the poor (12:33). Traditionally,
the writer of Luke and Acts has been identified as the companion and
co-worker of Paul (Phlm 24; Col 4:14). He wrote in the style of the
Greek and Roman historians and biographers of his day. Many think that
he was not Jewish and lived outside of Judea, and that he was writing
for a Gentile audience. This is supported by a key theme in Luke: God
sent Jesus to be the Savior of all people, both Jews and Gentiles.
How is Luke constructed?
Note
in the following outline how Luke is organized around important events
in Jesus' life and the places where these events happen.
Preparing the way for Jesus (1:1--4:13)
- Introduction: Why Luke wrote this book (1:1-4)
- Two miraculous births (1:5--2:21)
- Jesus as a child (2:22-52)
- Jesus is God's own Son (3:1--4:13)
Jesus preaches and heals in Galilee (4:14--9:.50)
- Mixed reactions toward Jesus (4:14-37)
- Jesus heals many and chooses his disciples (4:38--5:32)
- Jesus continues his work in Galilee (5:33--9:17)
- Who Jesus is and what he must do (9:18-50)
Jesus goes to Jerusalem (9:51--19:27)
- Followers and unbelievers (9:51--10:42)
- Jesus teaches many things (11:1--12:59)
- Teachings about God's kingdom (13:1--14:35)
- The lost are found (15:1-32)
- Faithful servants (16:1--19:27)
Jesus' final week in Jerusalem (19.28--23.56)
- Jesus teaches in Jerusalem (19:28--21:38)
- The last days of Jesus: his trial and death (22:1--23:56)
- Jesus rises from death and appears to the disciples (24:1-53)
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