Discover More about the Writer of the Third Gospel
Paul is the most prolific writer in the New Testament. Who’s second? That would be Dr. Luke.
He wrote a biography of Jesus, called “The Gospel According to Luke” (or simply “Luke”). Later he reported on the activities of the early church in “The Acts of the Apostles” (or just “Acts”).
These two books account for about 25 percent of the content in the New Testament and give us valuable historical information about Jesus and his followers.
Luke’s writing provides a compelling two-book set that can inform our faith and enlighten the practices of our church community.
Luke was a doctor and the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament. As such, his words are that of an outsider, which may more readily connect with those on the outside, that is, non-Jews. This includes me, and it may include you.
Luke wrote with simple, yet captivating language. He also gives us details not found in the other three biblical biographies of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, and John).
However, despite having penned two major books in the Bible—and the longest two in the New Testament—we don’t know much about Luke. He’s only mentioned three times in the Bible.
This is what we know:
- First, we learn that he’s a dear friend of Paul.
- Second, he’s a doctor (Colossians 4:14).
- Third, he’s esteemed by Paul as a fellow worker (Philemon 1:24).
- Last, in one of his darker hours, Paul laments that everyone is gone, and only Luke has stayed with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
As such, we see Luke as a faithful, persevering friend. He emerges as a man of noble character.
We also know that Luke is a firsthand observer in many of the events he records in the book of Acts. We see this through his first-person narratives in some passages when he uses the pronoun “we.”
(Read more about Luke and the book of Acts in Acts Bible Study: Discover How the Early Church Can Inform What We Do Today.)
Although Luke wasn’t a church leader or an apostle, his contribution to our faith and our understanding of Jesus and his church is significant.
Dr. Luke’s ministry function wasn’t leading or preaching. Instead, he played a silent and almost unnoticed supporting role.
Though his work was quiet, his legacy lives on, loudly influencing Jesus’s followers two millennia later.
Questions:
Do we sometimes feel like an outsider?
What can we do to leave a faith legacy that will influence others after we die?
[Discover Luke’s first-person accounts in Acts 16:10–17, 20:4–15, 21:1–18, 27:1–29, 27:37, and 28:1–16.]
Tips: Check out our tips to use this online Bible study for your church, small group, Sunday school class, or family discussion. It’s also ideal for personal study. Come back each Monday for a new lesson.
Read more about the book of Luke in Dear Theophilus: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke, now available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.