Introduction to Luke

I love Luke's Gospel.

It is different from the Gospels of Matthew and Mark in several ways. (John's Gospel is distinctly different from the other three.) Luke was a Gentile—the only Gentile writer in the Bible—and writes for a Gentile readership.

He is a careful historian (see 1:1-4) and his "careful investigation" is borne out by his accuracy in places like 3:1-2, where names and exact titles are correct. (Quirinius is a puzzle at 2:2 since we have no other record of him.) Interestingly, in other places, where commentators in the past thought that Luke had made up details to fit his theology, secular historians have proved that he was, after all, correct. An example is the story of the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' garments when he was crucified (23:34). That, it turns out, was the custom.

He seems to have come from Antioch in Syria. Although Luke was a common name, he is almost certainly the "beloved physician" mentioned by Paul, who sends greetings to the Colossians (Colossians 4:14).

He travelled with Paul on some of his journeys, but he doesn't draw attention to himself in Acts. You have to read Acts carefully and notice that sometimes he writes "we" and sometimes "they" to see when he was present with Paul.

In his Gospel, he shows particular compassion towards people who were marginalized in society:

• the poor, especially widows

• non-Jews (Samaritans, Gentiles, Roman soldiers)

• women and children

• the sick, including lepers

• the demon-possessed, and

• the despised, including tax collectors and "sinners."

He frequently mentions the activity of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the joy which the gospel brings.

His Gospel includes several of Jesus' parables which are not told elsewhere: notably the parable of the Good Samaritan (ch 10), and that of the "Prodigal" (i.e. wasteful) Son (ch 15). And Luke is the only Gospel which tells us about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (ch 24:13-35).

The story falls into two parts, dividing at 9:50-51 when Jesus "sets his face" towards Jerusalem and begins to prepare the uncomprehending disciples for his coming death.

Luke comes across as an altogether winsome person.

Annabel Robinson