Of the four gospel writers, the least is known about Luke, the only Gentile writer in all of Scripture. He wrote both the gospel bearing his name as well as the Book of Acts which immediately follows the Gospel of Luke in the Bible. He was a physician as well as a missionary companion of Paul's.

Unlike the other gospels, Luke's gospel is addressed to a person, a man named Theophilus. While biblical scholars aren't exactly sure as to the identity of Theophilus, many believe he may have been a Roman official.

While we don't know anything but Theophilus' name, we do know that Luke wrote both his gospel and the Books of Acts with the intent of showing Theophilus who Jesus was and what he had done. Luke's writing style shows he was highly educated and while the New Testament is written in Koine Greek (the commoners language at the time) the style of Luke's writing is often very close to the much more educated, affluent, classical Greek.

Because Luke was a Gentile, his gospel is the least influenced by Jewish culture and law. Luke includes many details in his gospel account and his book is often referred to as the "most beautiful book ever written." Likely because of his work as a physician, Luke's gospel highlights the miraculous medical healings Jesus performed. 

The Gospel of Luke begins with the story of Jesus' earthly family; his mother Mary and adoptive father, Joseph. Luke's account of Jesus' birth in chapter two provides a perspective from the lowly shepherds who were visited by an angel of the Lord on the night of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.

A PHYSICIAN & MISSIONARY COMPANION OF PAUL

Meet Luke