At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Luke the physician, Paul's companion (traditional, Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; the Gospel itself is anonymous, as all four are) |
| Date | ~60-70 AD |
| Audience | Theophilus and 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 and birth narratives | 1-2 | John and Jesus's birth and childhood |
| Ministry preparation | 3-4 | John's ministry and Jesus's baptism and temptation |
| Galilean ministry | 4-9 | Teaching and miracles and Twelve sent |
| Travel narrative | 9-19 | "Set his face to go to Jerusalem"; long teaching journey |
| Passion and resurrection | 19-24 | Triumphal entry and cross and resurrection |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Universal Savior | For all peoples, Jews and Gentiles and poor and rich and women and outcasts |
| Compassion and outsiders | Samaritans, women, poor, tax collectors, sinners |
| Prayer | Jesus and early disciples praying |
| Holy Spirit | Anticipates Acts emphasis |
| Joy and worship | Songs and rejoicing |
| Careful historical method | Luke 1:1-4 statement |
| Reversals | Last become first; humble exalted |
Key passages
- Luke 1:1-4, Luke's careful method
- Luke 1:46-55, Magnificat
- Luke 2, Christmas story
- Luke 4:16-21, Nazareth sermon (Isaiah 61 fulfilled)
- Luke 10:25-37, Good Samaritan
- Luke 15, three lost-and-found parables
- Luke 19:1-10, Zacchaeus
- Luke 24, resurrection and Emmaus