The Book of Luke
Luke's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' compassion for the poor, the outcast and the lost, with beloved parables like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Written with careful detail by a physician.
- Testament
- New (24 chapters)
- Type
- Gospel
- Author
- Luke, a physician and travel-companion of Paul. The same author wrote Acts as a two-volume work.
- Date
- Probably 75-85 AD.
The Gospel for the outsider
Luke records the most stories of Jesus with the poor, women, tax collectors, lepers and Samaritans. The most famous parables — the Good Samaritan (10), the Prodigal Son (15) — are unique to Luke. The message: God's kingdom is good news especially to those the religious world overlooks.
Salvation history
Luke researches carefully (1:1-4), sets events 'in the days of Caesar Augustus' (2:1), and presents Jesus as the climax of God's long-running salvation story. The two-volume Luke-Acts together trace the gospel from a manger in Bethlehem to a courtroom in Rome.
Key verses (KJV)
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10 (KJV)
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34 (KJV)
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — Luke 4:18 (cf. John 8:32) — "to preach the gospel to the poor... to set at liberty them that are bruised" (KJV)
How to read Luke
Luke is the longest Gospel; read in three or four sittings. The infancy narratives (1-2), the great parables (10, 15), the Last Supper (22) and Easter (24) are the high points. Pair with Acts to feel the two-volume sweep.
Read Luke on your iPhone
Read the full book of Luke in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
Read Luke free on iPhone.
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