Luke

WRITER, Luke, the beloved physician, see Col 4:14
Reputed Author of Acts; both books being addressed to the same person. Luke was a close friend and travelling companion of Paul, as is shown in his personal allusions recording the journeys of the apostle.
See in the book of Acts where the author changes the pronouns to "we" and "us," indicating that he himself was present at these times,  Ac 16:10 20:6 27:1 28:16. Many students see something of the stamp of Paul's doctrine in Luke's gospel. The exact date of the writing of the gospel is unknown. But if it were written after Luke came under Paul's influence, it would be quite natural that the latter should give some colouring to the
narrative.

TO WHOM ADDRESSED. To Theophilus, an unknown person. Internal evidence indicates that the book was written especially for the Gentiles. This is inferred from the fact that the writer takes pains to explain Jewish customs and sometimes substitutes Greek names for Hebrew.

PURPOSE. To give a connected and orderly narrative of the life of Christ as seen by eye witnesses,
 Lu 1:1-4

KEY VERSE
 Lu 1:4

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES.
(1) It is a Gospel of the Universal Grace of God
 Lu 2:32 3:6 24:47

(2) It is the Gospel of "The Son of Man." It emphasizes Christ's sympathetic attitude toward the POOR, the LOWLY, and the OUTCASTS.

The Poor disciples
 Lu 6:20

the sinful woman
 Lu 7:37

Mary Magdalene
 Lu 8:2

the Samaritans
 Lu 10:33

publicans and sinners
 Lu 15:1

the deserted beggar
 Lu 16:20,21

the lepers
 Lu 17:12

the dying thief
 Lu 23:43

(3) It is a Devotional Gospel; it especially emphasizes prayer
(a) It contains three parables on prayer not found in the other gospels.

The friend at midnight
 Lu 11:5-8

the unjust judge
 Lu 18:1-8

the Pharisee and publican
 Lu 18:9-14

(b) It contains Christ's prayers, -

at his baptism
 Lu 3:21

in the wilderness
 Lu 5:16

before choosing the disciples
 Lu 6:12

at the transfiguration
 Lu 9:29

before giving the Lord's Prayer
 Lu 11:1

for Peter
 Lu 22:32

in the garden of Gethsemane
 Lu 22:44

on the cross
 Lu 23:46

(4) In its early chapters it strikes the note of joy and praise. Some of the great Christian hymns are taken from this gospel. The Ave Maria," the words of the Angel to Mary,
 Lu 1:28-33

The Magnificat," Mary's song
 Lu 1:46-55

"The Benedictus," of Zacharias
 Lu 1:68-79

"The Gloria in 'Excelsis," of the heavenly angels
 Lu 2:13-14

"The Nunc Dimittis," the rejoicing of Simeon
 Lu 2:29-32

(5) It greatly honours womanhood. Women appear prominently in Luke's narrative. In chapter one, Mary, Elisabeth;
 Lu 1:1

Mary and her sister Martha in chapter ten
 Lu 10:1

the daughters of Jerusalem
 Lu 23:27

several widows are mentioned
 Lu 2:37 4:26 7:12 18:3 21:2

(6) The Biography of Christ is more complete in Luke than in either of the other Gospels. About one half of the material in this book is not in the others. Many of the most important utterances of our Lord, and striking incidents of his life are recorded in this one gospel. Examples of this are,--

The draught of fishes
 Lu 5:6

raising the widow's son
 Lu 7:11-15

the ten lepers
 Lu 17:12

Malchus healed
 Lu 22:51

For the parables which occur only in Luke

Other incidents and saying recorded only by Luke,--
Christ weeping over Jerusalem
 Lu 19:41

reference to the conversation of Moses and Elias on the Mount of Transfiguration
 Lu 9:30,31

the bloody sweat
 Lu 22:44

Christ before Herod
 Lu 23:8

Christ's words to the women of Jerusalem
 Lu 23:28

the penitent thief
 Lu 23:40

the walk to Emmaus
 Lu 24:13-31

SYNOPSIS
(1) The introduction
 Lu 1:1-4

The birth of Jesus and incidents connected with his early life up to the time of his baptism and temptation
 Lu 1:5 - 4:13

(2) The beginning of his public ministry, mainly in Galilee
 Lu 4:14 - 9:50

(3) The journey toward Jerusalem, through Samaria and Perea; the ministry mainly in Perea
 Lu 9:51 - 19:28

(4) The last days, including the events of Passion Week and the crucifixion
 Lu 19:29 - 23:55

(5) Events connected with the Resurrection and the Ascension
 Lu 24:1-51

(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)

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