The placement of Luke as the third gospel occurs in almost all of the early Greek and Syrian manuscripts. Ernest Renan, French theologian, called the gospel of Luke the most literary of the Gospels. Many see
[su_pullquote align=”right”]It is manifest that in all parts of the Christian world the Third Gospel had been recognized as authoritative before the middle of the second century, and that it was universally believed to be the work of St. Luke.
Alfred Plummer, “ICC Commentary on Luke”[/su_pullquote]
Luke’s prologue is described as the most classic piece of Greek literature in any of the New Testament.
Who Wrote the Book?
The external evidence for the third gospel to have been written by the Luke who accompanied Paul on journeys is abundant. Justin Martyr, Eusebius, and Marcion were among the early followers who attested to the authorship. The Muratorian Fragment is the first document that ascribes the gospel to Luke. Theologians Blass, Harnack, Plummer, Ramsay and Zahn accept Paul’s companion as the author.
The internal evidence supports the same conclusion. The arguments for Luke’s authorship of this gospel are usually presented in accordance with his authorship of Acts. These theories will be discussed in detail with this later book. The gospel can also show Luke’s interest with disease and sickness compared to the other gospels. Notice these comparisons:
| Luke | Mark |
| Lk 4:38 | Mark 1:30 |
| Lk 5:12 | Mark 1:40 |
| Lk 6:6 | Mark 3:1 |
| Lk 8:43-44 | Mark 5:26, 29 |
| Lk 8:55 | Mark 5:42 |
| Lk 9:38 | Mark 9:17 |
| Lk 22:50-51 | Mark 14:47 |
Let’s make note of a few facts about the writer. Luke’s name only occurs in Paul’s writings (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24) never in the gospel or Acts. Luke was a Gentile from all indications and appears to have lived for a while in Philippi. He also had a strong interest in Antioch (Acts 6:5, 11:19-27, 13:1-3, 14:26-28, 15:1-2, 22, 30-40, 18:22-23).
The historian joined Paul at Troas on the second journey. He was a physician (Colossians 4:14). In a Latin work, it is asserted that he died at the age of 74 in Bithynia. Another tradition has him dying in Constantinople.
To Whom was the Book Written?
Luke addresses the gospel and the acts to “the most excellent Theophilus (Lk 1:3-4). The name was a common name in both Jewish and Gentile circles. There is no reason to believe this was not a real person. It is quite possible that Theophilus played a part in paying for the expenses involved in the writing or production of the works of history.
Other’s speculate that Luke may have written the books to specific churches or people that he met along Paul’s journeys. Most often mentioned are the church in Philippi and the family of Timothy. These ideas are nothing more than speculation.
When was Luke’s Gospel Written?
Setting aside the theories of the synoptic gospels, many early scholars place this gospel at a date prior to the writing of Mark. Evidence places Mark’s gospel around 67. The book of Acts appears to have been written after the gospel and the conclusion there will set the writing around 61. Luke was in Caesarea while Paul was imprisoned there (Acts 27:1). The time spent there would have given Luke the time needed to make the investigations he mentions in the first chapter (Lk 1:1-4). If he wrote during this time period, the writing of this gospel would have been around 58.
What Messages Resonate in the Gospel of Luke?
The third gospel has a number of distinct characteristics. We will consider a handful of points briefly.
First, the gospel of Luke makes a priority to develop the humanity of Christ. Luke gives the most complete account of his birth, childhood, and social life. We read of Jesus weeping (Lk 19:41), eating (Lk 7:36-50) and sweating drops of blood during prayer (Lk 22:44).
Second, Luke’s writings make much of Jesus’ prayer life. Jesus spent time praying 15 times in the gospels and 11 of those times Luke mentions. Luke also teaches lessons about prayer not found in the other gospels (Lk 11:5-13, 18:1-8, 21:36, 18:11-13).
Third, Luke records 20 miracles of Jesus, 6 peculiar to his writing. Also he includes 23 parables of Jesus, 18 unique to his gospel. Interestingly, he leaves out 11 parables included in the other gospels.
Finally, Luke includes a lengthy passage that contain material not found in the other gospels (Lk 9:51-18:14, 19:1-28).
What Do People Say About the Book of Luke?
Many leading Bible teachers make strong comments about the gospel of Luke. Their words may encourage you to read the book.
Luke’s interest in history is shown by his tying the Jesus events to the events of his day (Lk 2:1-2, 3:1-2) and his desire to help his readers know the certainty of the traditions which they had been taught (Lk 1:4). He presents to Theophilus not just a collection of brute facts, but something even more valuable – the meaning of those facts.
Robert Stein, Luke (NAC)
A valuable point in these passages is often overlooked, namely Luke’s connection with Mark. These two gospel writers were at the same time under Paul’s influence and were in closest association with each other. Both Luke and Mark were most likely with Paul when he laid his head upon the executioner’s block. It is fair to conclude that whoever of them was the first to write his gospel, the other must have promptly heard of it, secured a copy, and used it for his own writing.
R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel
The opening paragraph is one sentence in good Greek style, with classical vocabulary, rhythm and balance. Luke has a feeling for style and clearly he sees a somewhat Semitic accent as right for the kind of book he is writing. But this excellently rounded sentence is equally right for a literary opening. And a literary opening, of course, implies that what follows was meant for circulation. Some of our oldest MSS, incidentally, give the book the simple title: According to Luke.
Leon Morris, TNTC Luke
Had modern methods of book publishing been available in the first century, the books of Luke and Acts might have been found standing side by side in paperback editions on a bookseller’s shelf. Possibly they would have been bound together in one hardback volume. Though Acts has some characteristics of the ancient novel, this need not be understood as impugning its historical value. One can picture a Gentile reader going from adventure to adventure, delighting in the story of Paul’s shipwreck and learning something of the gospel through reading the various speeches. Likewise the Gospel of Luke contains narratives and sayings of Jesus cast in a variety of literary forms. No doubt among its readers would have been the “God-fearers,” those Gentiles who had already been convinced of Jewish monotheism and of Jewish ethical standards. They, in turn, would have interested their friends in reading Luke-Acts.
Walter Liefeld, EBC Luke