Before we begin studying Luke chapter by chapter, it is important to understand where this Gospel came from, why it was written, and why God preserved it for the Church.
The Gospel never directly names its author, but from the earliest days of the church it has been unanimously attributed to Luke, the beloved physician.
Paul calls him:
"Luke, the beloved physician, greets you."
— Colossians 4:14
Luke was:
A Gentile believer (the only Gentile author of Scripture)
A physician by profession
A missionary companion of Paul
A careful historian
An educated writer
The author of both Luke and Acts
Luke and Acts form one continuous work.
Luke tells the story of Jesus.
Acts tells the story of Jesus continuing His work through the Holy Spirit in the Church.
Together they make up nearly 28% of the New Testament, more than any other single writer, even Paul by word count.
Luke tells us himself in Luke 1:1-4.
Unlike Matthew or John, Luke actually explains his writing process.
He wanted believers to know with certainty that the gospel they had received was true.
This makes Luke unique among the Gospel writers.
Luke probably wrote his Gospel around A.D. 60–62, before Paul's imprisonment ended and before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Christianity was spreading rapidly.
Eyewitnesses were growing older.
False teachings had already begun appearing.
Luke desired an orderly historical record.
Notice Luke's language.
Luke 1:1 says,
"Many have undertaken to compile a narrative..."
This tells us:
There were already written accounts about Jesus.
Some were inspired (Matthew and perhaps Mark).
Others were simply collections of eyewitness testimony.
Luke investigated them.
Verse 2 says:
"Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses..."
Luke himself was not one of the Twelve Apostles.
He did not walk with Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Instead...
He interviewed those who did.
Imagine Luke speaking with:
Mary
Peter
John
James
The women who followed Jesus
Other disciples
Many scholars believe the infancy narratives (Luke 1–2) could only have come directly from Mary or someone very close to her because of the intimate details Luke records.
Luke 1:3 says:
"Having followed all things closely for some time past..."
The Greek phrase means:
"Having traced everything accurately."
This is the language of investigation.
Luke did not simply collect stories.
He researched.
He compared accounts.
He verified facts.
He organized events.
This is exactly what an educated physician would naturally do.
Verse 3 continues:
"...to write an orderly account..."
"Orderly" does not necessarily mean perfectly chronological.
It means carefully arranged.
Luke groups events together for theological purposes while maintaining historical accuracy.
This demonstrates God's use of Luke's personality and training in producing inspired Scripture.
Luke dedicates the Gospel to:
"Most excellent Theophilus."
There are several possibilities.
Most scholars believe Theophilus was a wealthy Roman official who became a Christian.
The title "Most Excellent" was often used for government officials.
Theophilus may even have sponsored the publication and copying of Luke's Gospel.
"Theophilus" means:
"Lover of God"
or
"Friend of God."
Even if he was a real person, the name beautifully represents every believer who desires to know Christ.
Luke 1:4
"...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."
This is one of the greatest purposes of Scripture.
Christianity is not built upon myths.
It rests upon historical truth.
Luke wants believers to have assurance.
Not blind faith.
An informed faith.
A confident faith.
Although Luke researched carefully, Christians believe something greater was happening.
The Holy Spirit inspired every word.
2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is breathed out by God."
2 Peter 1:21
"Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Luke's personality remained.
His education remained.
His vocabulary remained.
Yet God superintended the writing so that every word communicated exactly what He intended without error in the original manuscripts.
This demonstrates the beautiful doctrine of dual authorship:
Luke truly wrote the Gospel.
God truly authored Scripture through Luke.
Each Gospel presents Jesus from a different emphasis.
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.
Mark emphasizes Jesus as the Servant.
John focuses on Jesus as the eternal Son of God.
Luke presents Jesus especially as the perfect Son of Man, the Savior for all humanity.
Luke emphasizes Jesus' compassion toward people often overlooked by society.
Throughout the Gospel we repeatedly see Jesus ministering to:
the poor,
women,
children,
Gentiles,
tax collectors,
Samaritans,
sinners,
the sick,
the outcasts.
Luke demonstrates that the grace of God extends to every kind of person.
As we study this Gospel, watch for these recurring themes.
Luke stresses God's salvation reaching beyond Israel.
The genealogy in Luke goes all the way back to Adam rather than stopping with Abraham.
This emphasizes Jesus' relationship to all humanity.
Luke records Jesus praying more often than any other Gospel writer.
Nearly every major event in Jesus' ministry is connected with prayer.
Luke teaches dependence upon the Father.
Luke emphasizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit from the very beginning.
John the Baptist.
Elizabeth.
Zechariah.
Mary.
Simeon.
Jesus.
The disciples.
The Spirit is active throughout Luke and continues prominently in Acts.
Luke contains more songs, rejoicing, praise, and celebration than the other Gospels.
The Gospel begins with joyful worship and ends with joyful worship.
Again and again we see Jesus showing mercy.
The widow of Nain.
The sinful woman.
The Good Samaritan.
The Prodigal Son.
Zacchaeus.
The thief on the cross.
These stories reveal the heart of God toward repentant sinners.
Luke writes beautiful Greek.
His vocabulary is the most polished in the New Testament.
As a physician he also includes many medical observations that other Gospel writers omit.
This does not make the Gospel "more scientific."
Rather, it reflects God's use of Luke's unique background in preserving an accurate account.
Luke answers many foundational questions.
Who is Jesus?
Why did He come?
What is salvation?
How should believers live?
How does God treat sinners?
What does true discipleship look like?
Luke provides a thorough and orderly introduction to the Christian faith.
Luke portrays Jesus as:
the promised Messiah,
the Son of God,
the Son of Man,
the perfect servant,
the compassionate Savior,
the great Physician,
the friend of sinners,
the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy,
the sacrifice for sin,
the risen Lord,
and the coming King.
Every chapter ultimately points us to Christ.
Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
This verse summarizes the entire Gospel.
Everything Luke records demonstrates Jesus actively seeking lost sinners and offering them salvation.
Our study will proceed one chapter per lesson, using an expository, verse-by-verse approach.
For each chapter we will:
Examine the historical and literary context.
Explain key words and phrases through exegesis.
Explore the theological truths revealed in the text.
Show how the passage points to Christ.
Apply its teaching to the life of a new believer.
The goal is not merely to understand the text intellectually but to grow in faith, obedience, and love for Christ.
Luke reminds us that Christianity is rooted in real history. God did not ask us to trust in legends or religious speculation; He gave us an orderly, carefully investigated account of the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. This should strengthen the confidence of every believer, especially those who are new to the faith.
Luke also teaches us something about God Himself. The Lord chose a physician and historian—not one of the Twelve Apostles—to write one of the four Gospels. God uses people with different gifts, backgrounds, and occupations to accomplish His purposes. Whether someone is a fisherman like Peter, a tax collector like Matthew, or a doctor like Luke, every believer can be used by God when surrendered to Him.
Finally, as you read Luke, do not simply ask, "What happened?" Ask, "What does this teach me about Jesus?" The Gospel of Luke is ultimately about knowing Christ more deeply. As you see His compassion, holiness, authority, humility, and sacrificial love, your own heart will be drawn to worship Him and to become more like Him.
Why was it important for Luke to carefully investigate eyewitness accounts before writing his Gospel?
What does Luke's purpose in Luke 1:1–4 teach us about the reliability of the Christian faith?
How does Luke's emphasis on Jesus as the Savior of all people encourage believers today?
Why is it significant that God inspired Scripture through Luke's unique background as a physician and historian?
As we begin studying Luke, what do you most hope to learn about Jesus and how will that shape your walk with Him?
Next Lesson: Luke 1 — The Birth Announcements of John the Baptist and Jesus (An Expository Verse-by-Verse Study).