Luke was the only Gentile (non-Jew) writer in the New Testament and a much loved physician ("Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings... Colossians 4:14). Luke wrote two important New Testament books, The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, which makes him the one who wrote most of the New Testament. We see Luke's subtle authorship of Acts by the way he transitions from the 'they' to the 'we' (eg. Acts 20:15). The Gospel of Luke was probably written before 60 A.D. But not before the Book of Acts possibly around 65 AD. Luke was with Paul during both imprisonments (eg. Acts 28:14-31).

Luke wrote to Theophilus. Luke clearly writes of his purpose of writing the inspired Book of Luke. We do not know if Theophilus was a Christian at the writing of Luke. It sounds it by the meaning of his name (lover of God).

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:1-3).

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Luke as a Greek was presenting Jesus as the perfect man, the son of Adam through the genealogy as well as the son of man (used 26 times in Luke while son of God was used 6 times). Luke carefully closes his argument of Jesus' identity when he allows Jesus' enemies state who Jesus was. Notice how the Son of Man is equivocated with the Son of God.

"But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD." And they all said, "Are You the Son of God, then?" And He said to them, "Yes, I am."" Luke 22:69, 70, NASB.

The Gospel of Luke has 50% unique material compared to Matthew with 40% and Mark 10%. The presentation of the Gospel Luke is straightforward as stated in the prologue. He was much more careful presenting things as they happened.

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Outline to the Gospel of Luke by Paul J. Bucknell

Expanded teaching outline pdf

  • INTRODUCTION TO CHRIST (Luke 1-3)

  • THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST (Luke 4-9:36)

  • THE REJECTION OF CHRIST (Luke 9:37-11)

  • INSTRUCTION IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S REJECTION (Luke 12-19:27)

  • THE LAST WEEK OF CHRIST (Luke 19:28-23:25)

  • THE PROOF OF CHRIST'S DIVINITY (Luke 23:26-24