For several reasons, the author of this Gospel is known to be Luke. Luke’s Gospel is written in the Koine Greek of an educated person (such as a physician). The author says he compiled the “narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us” via eyewitness accounts, but does not include himself among the eyewitnesses. However, the author does include himself in some of the accounts of Paul’s activities in Acts – which he stated was the sequel to the Gospel (Acts 1:1-3). All of these facts point to Luke as the author of this Gospel. In addition, many early Church Fathers identified the author as Luke, so many in fact that by the third century A.D., the Gospel of Luke was almost universally accepted to have been written by him. The earliest manuscript copy of Luke yet found, Papyrus Bodmer XIV (ca. A.D. 200), has the heading, “The Gospel According to Luke.” Many scholars believe this may have been copied from the original autograph, and not added later. 

Luke has traditionally been seen as a Gentile from passages like Col 4:10-11, where Paul lists “fellow workers” who are “of the circumcision.” Luke is not included in this list, but is listed later among other Gentile helpers. It is not known for certain where Luke was born, but Eusebius says it was Syrian Antioch. We do know that he was a doctor as Paul calls him this in Col 4:14. Early Church Fathers such as Eusebius, Jerome and Irenaeus agreed. When Luke became a Christian is not known, but we do know that he joined Paul around A.D. 49-50 on Paul’s second missionary journey. Up to that point, the narrative is told in third person. Suddenly “they” becomes “we,” indicating the author began to accompany Paul at that time. Luke proved to be a loyal and valuable companion, remaining at Paul’s side until the very end in Rome (2 Tim 4:11). After Paul’s death, Luke returned to Philippi, ministering to the church there. However, according to the oldest tradition, Luke died at the old age of 84 in Boetia (Greece) after writing his Gospel.

Luke is thought to have been written not before A.D. 62, but since Luke doesn’t mention the deaths of Peter or Paul, nor the fall of Jerusalem, it was likely written before these events, giving an approximate date of the mid to late 60’s as the time of writing.

The message of the Gospel of Luke is a portrait of Jesus’ ministry with an eye toward Gentiles, as well as the availability of grace for Gentiles. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is emphasized as Savior, the One whom not only Israel but the whole world is waiting to save them from their sins.

Luke wrote his Gospel with the goal of an “orderly account” so that his readers would “know the certainty of those things which you were instructed.” (Lk 1:4). He wanted to clarify Jesus’ teachings, particularly His teachings on the end times, perhaps in an effort to to correct misunderstandings within the Gentile Christian community.

2:10-11 “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.   For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

4:18-20

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, 
Because He has anointed Me 
To preach the gospel to the poor; 
He has sent Me  to heal the brokenhearted, 
To proclaim liberty to the captives 
And recovery of sight to the blind, 
To set at liberty those who are  oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

19:9-10 “Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Andyou are witnesses of these things.’"

Zechariah and Elizabeth

The story of John the Baptist’s parents only occurs in Luke, and gives valuable insight to the spiritual heredity of the prophet. Zechariah’s reaction of disbelief stands in contrast to Mary’s acceptance of the angel’s message to them concerning miraculous births.

Lazarus (the character in the parable)

Luke’s portrayal of Jesus as being concerned about humility is illustrated by his inclusion of Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man. Regardless of whether this story is an account of a real event or a vividly detailed parable, the point is the same, only those who humble themselves, listen and believe, like Lazarus, will enter eternal life.

Women

Luke, like Mark, had a special place for women in his Gospel. Luke is the only gospel writer to include the stories of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, Mary’s song, the raising of a widow’s son, the account of Galilean women following Jesus, the story of Jesus at Mary and Martha’s house and the story of the harlot anointing Jesus’ feet and receiving forgiveness. 

Jesus’ Birth and childhood (2:1-2:52)

Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth is the most detailed and includes details not given in the other Gospels, such as the angel’s announcement to the shepherd’s and the shepherd’s visit. Luke also included the presentation of Jesus at the temple, the Holy Family’s return to Nazareth, and young Jesus amazing the religious authorities at the temple.

Trial, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus (22:47-24:12)

Luke brings several unique perspectives on the final hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ innocence of the charges leveled against Him by the Jewish leaders. Pilate finds “no fault in this man.” (23:4, 14, 22) This declaration of innocence is also inferred by Herod Antipas (because he sends Jesus back to Pilate) and repeated by the thief (23:39-43) and the Centurion calls Him a “righteous man” (23:47). 

Jesus’ Appearance to the men on the road to Emmaus (24:13-32)

Only Luke records the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples as they traveled from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. The account reveals several important lessons. When He reveals Himself to the men, He reminds them of the Old Testament teachings concerning the events that had just transpired. He tells them that it was prophesied that the Christ was supposed to have “suffered…and entered into His glory” – with the insinuation that these things had come to pass, confirming that He was in fact the Christ.

Prologue (1:1-1:80)

I. Purpose of Writing (1:1-4)

II. Prophesies of John the Baptist and Jesus’ Birth (1:5-1:56)

III. Birth of John the Baptist (1:57-80)

Birth and Preparation of the Savior (2:1-4:15)

I. Jesus’ Birth and Childhood (1:1-2:52)

II. The Preparation of the Savior (3:1-4:15)

    A.    John the Baptist Prepares the Way (3:1-20)

    B.   The Baptism and Lineage of the Savior (3:21-38)

    C.    The Savior is Tested (4:1-13)

Ministry and Message of The Savior (4:16-21:38)

I. The Savior’s Initial Ministry in Galilee (4:16-9:50)

II. Opposition and Teaching (5:17-6:49)

    A.    The Beginning of Opposition (5:17—6:11)

    B.    The Call of the Twelve (6:12-19)

    C.    The Sermon on the Mount (6:12-49)

III. Healings, Questions, Forgiveness and Miracles (7:1-8:56)

    A.    Healing of a Gentile's Servant and a Widow's Son (7:1-16)

    B.    The Disciples of John Question the Savior (7:17-30)

    C.    Condemnation and Forgiveness (7:31-50)

    D.    Parables of the Savior (8:1-21)

    E.    More Miracle in Galilee (8:22-56)

IV. The Savior Send the Disciples and Feeds the Multitude (9:1-17)

    A.    The Savior's Commission and Sending of the Disciples (9:1-11)

    B.    The Savior Feeds the Multitude (9:12-17)

V. The Savior’s True Identity and Further Teachings (9:18-36)

    A.    Peter's Confession and the Savior's Warning of Suffering (9:18-22)

    B.    Discipleship (9:23-26)

    C.    The Transfiguration (9:27-36)

VI. Further Healings and Teachings (9:37-50)

VII. Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27)

    A.    The Savior is Rejected in Samaria (9:51-56)

    B.    The Cost of Following the Savior (9:57-62)

    C.    The Sending and Return of the Seventy (10:1-24)

    D.    The Savior Teaches about Serving Others (10:25-42)

    E.    The Savior's Teaching on Prayer (11:1-13)

    F.    A Healing and Controversy (11:14—12:21)

    G.   Teachings on Kingdom Living (12:22—18:34)

    H.    The Savior Heals Again and Stays with a Sinner (18:35—19:10)

    I.    The Savior Teaches on Using What is Given (19:11-27)

VIII. Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)

Death and Resurrection of The Savior (22:1-24:53)

I. The Inauguration of the Last Supper (22:1-22:38)

II. The Arrest and Trial of the Savior (22:39-23:56)

III. The Death and Burial of the Savior (23:44-56)

IV. The Resurrection and Ascension of the Savior (24:1-53)