At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Luke the physician, Paul's companion (traditional, Col.4.14; 2Ti.4.11; the Gospel itself is anonymous, as all four are) |
| Date | ~60-70 AD |
| Audience | Theophilus + Gentile-Christian readers |
| Genre | Gospel, careful historical investigation |
| Purpose | Orderly account establishing the certainty of Christian faith |
| Chapters | 24 |
| Notable | Volume 1 of two-volume work (Acts is volume 2) |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction + birth narratives | 1-2 | John + Jesus's birth + childhood |
| Ministry preparation | 3-4 | John's ministry + Jesus's baptism + temptation |
| Galilean ministry | 4-9 | Teaching + miracles + Twelve sent |
| Travel narrative | 9-19 | "Set his face to go to Jerusalem"; long teaching journey |
| Passion + resurrection | 19-24 | Triumphal entry + cross + resurrection |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Universal Savior | For all peoples, Jews + Gentiles + poor + rich + women + outcasts |
| Compassion + outsiders | Samaritans, women, poor, tax collectors, sinners |
| Prayer | Jesus + early disciples praying |
| Holy Spirit | Anticipates Acts emphasis |
| Joy + worship | Songs + rejoicing |
| Careful historical method | Luke 1:1-4 statement |
| Reversals | Last become first; humble exalted |
Key passages
- Luk.1.1-4, Luke's careful method
- Luk.1.46-55, Magnificat
- Luk.2, Christmas story
- Luk.4.16-21, Nazareth sermon (Isa.61 fulfilled)
- Luk.10.25-37, Good Samaritan
- Luk.15, three lost-and-found parables
- Luk.19.1-10, Zacchaeus
- Luk.24, resurrection + Emmaus