Luke

The Gospel of Luke is the longest book in the New Testament and, along with the Book of Acts, forms a two-volume historical work written by Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of the Apostle Paul.

Luke explicitly states his purpose: to conduct a careful investigation and write an "orderly account" for his friend Theophilus, so he might know the "certainty" of the things he had been taught (Luke 1:3–4). Luke presents Jesus Christ as the perfect Son of Man, demonstrating His compassion for all humanity.

I. Orderly Beginnings and Universal Genealogy (Chapters 1–4)

Luke provides unique and meticulously detailed information concerning the births of both John the Baptist and Jesus, based on interviews with eyewitnesses (likely including Mary).

• The Announcement: The Christmas story is most fully detailed in Luke, including the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary and the shepherds' visit to the manger.

• Universal Lineage: Unlike Matthew, who traces Jesus's lineage to David and Abraham (the father of the Jews), Luke traces Jesus's genealogy all the way back to Adam (Luke 3:38). This emphasizes that Jesus is not just the Savior of Israel, but the Savior of all mankind.

• The Holy Spirit and Prayer: Luke frequently highlights Jesus's reliance on the Holy Spirit and His dedication to prayer before every major life event.

II. Ministry to the Marginalized (Chapters 5–18)

Luke structures Jesus's ministry around His journey toward Jerusalem, emphasizing His unique focus on those considered outcasts in society. This is the "Gospel of the Underdog."

• Jesus and Women: Luke consistently features stories involving women who are ignored or disenfranchised, such as the healing of the bent-over woman or the famous account of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42).

• The Poor and the Outcast: Jesus makes it clear that His ministry is specifically directed to the poor: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18).

• Unique Parables: Many of Jesus's most beloved stories are found only in Luke, all focused on God's expansive compassion:

  • The Good Samaritan (challenging prejudice).

  • The Lost Son (the Prodigal Son) and the Lost Coin (showing God's relentless search).

  • The rich man and Lazarus (warning against indifference).

III. The Triumph of the Son of Man (Chapters 19–24)

The final section details the events in Jerusalem and Jesus's victory over death.

• The Last Supper and Prayer: Luke gives special attention to Jesus's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, emphasizing His intense struggle and reliance on prayer.

• Innocence Declared: Luke carefully records the multiple times Pilate declares Jesus innocent to underscore the injustice of the crucifixion. He also includes the moving exchange with the penitent thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).

• The Post-Resurrection Certainty: Luke details unique post-resurrection appearances, most notably the moving account of Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, showing how He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:13–35). Luke then closes the book where Acts will begin: with Jesus ascending into heaven and the disciples waiting for the promised Spirit.

Applying the Truth Today

Luke's Gospel reminds us that Jesus Christ is not only divine but fully human—the perfect Son of Man who understands our struggles and pain. It challenges us to reflect His universal compassion, ensuring that our faith is not insulated by prejudice or indifference, but actively reaches out to the overlooked and marginalized. By following the example of the praying Son of Man, we learn that true power comes from dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Universal Compassion. Who are the people in your community that you, or the church, have historically overlooked? How can you specifically model Christ's compassion for them?

2. The Praying Son. Before every major event, Jesus prayed. How does the example of the Son of Man's dedicated prayer life challenge your own spiritual disciplines?

3. The Good Samaritan. What does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach you about defining your "neighbor"? Does it require you to cross uncomfortable boundaries to help?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp the universal call of Jesus's ministry, read His inaugural address in Luke 4:16–19. Next, read the essence of God’s relentless search in the parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15:11–32. Finally, read the promise to the penitent thief in Luke 23:39–43.