Luke may have been of Gentile descent, because of his name and his knowledge of the Greek language, and was possibly the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament. (Bible Archaeology ➚) However, given his “intimate knowledge of the Old Testament and the focus of interest in his writings”, he may have been “a Jewish Christian who followed a Greek lifestyle and was comparatively lax in ritual observances.” (Britannica ➚)
It is possible that Luke was a native of Syria and, more specifically, of the city of Antioch (Bible Archaeology ➚). Antioch was the capital of the Roman province of Syria, a city situated at the bend of a river where it breaks through the mountains about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, and about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. In Paul’s time, Antioch was the third most important city of the Roman empire, with a population of more than 200,000 people. Many Jews settled in this picturesque city. In Antioch, the first Gentile church was established. Here, the Lord’s disciples were first referred to as Christians (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). A part of the Anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Gospel of Luke that is believed to have been written in the 2nd century AD read, “Luke, was born in Antioch, by profession, was a physician. He had become a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his martyrdom. Having served the Lord continuously, unmarried and without children, filled with the Holy Spirit he died at the age of 84 years” (Wikipedia-Luke the Evangelist ➚). It is also possible that Luke’s hometown was, rather, Philippi, or perhaps he lived there at one point. (Bible Archaeology ➚)
It is believed that Luke was the beloved physician who was a companion to Paul during Paul’s extensive travels among the Gentiles, his journey to Jerusalem, and then to Rome where Paul was imprisoned. Luke could even be considered Paul’s personal physician (Bible Archaeology ➚). He was with Paul in Rome to the last, and was probably present when Paul was beheaded by the Romans. “Only Luke is with me,” said Paul (2 Timothy 4:11).
He was also a painter, said to have painted pictures of Mary and baby Jesus, as well as Peter and Paul. Luke was a historian as well, judging from the accuracy of his descriptions of towns, cities and islands, and official titles. However, his intention in his gospel writings was not so much historical as it was to record things of a more spiritual nature, to “proclaim and to persuade” (Wikipedia-Luke the Evangelist ➚).
Luke was first mentioned by Paul himself in Philemon, Colossians and 2 Timothy. Philemon 1:24 lists fellow laborers who were with him, being therein recorded as Lucas. Colossians 4:14 reads, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.” 2 Timothy 4:10-11 states, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Luke was not an eyewitness of the Lord, but recorded life events that had been reported to him by those who were. (Luke 1:1 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;”)
Luke was not an eyewitness of the Lord, but recorded life events that had been reported to him by those who were. (Luke 1:1 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;”)
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| One of the oldest copies of part of the book of Luke, on papyrus, dating back to the 3rd century AD Public domain tag {{PD-US}} ➚ Photo source ➚ |
Interestingly, Luke is the only writer of the gospels to record the Lord’s statements about physicians, such as “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31). He was in Jerusalem with Paul during Paul’s third missionary journey. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and then imprisoned in Caesarea for two years, Luke is no longer mentioned, until Paul appeals to Caesar and is put on a ship to Rome. Luke and Aristarchus boarded with him. Surely during this two years, Luke visited Paul in prison, but he may also have used this time to interview eyewitnesses of the Savior and gather information in preparation for his writings.
By the time he wrote the book of Luke, other gospels were already circulating. Traditionally, Matthew was the first and Mark the second, Mark writing on Peter’s behalf. Both were available before the middle of AD 40. Luke spoke in Luke 1:2 “Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word”. He may have visited Jerusalem, Samaria, Perea and Galilee, places Jesus had taught, and interviewed those who knew or had heard of Jesus. Perhaps he also visited Nazareth and interviewed Mary, obtaining details of the birth of the Lord. (Bible Archaeology ➚)
In addition to being the author of the Gospel of Luke, he also wrote the book of Acts. Judging from his vocabulary and literary style, he was a well-educated man. These works may have been written “shortly after the Jewish revolt (AD 66-73)”, putting them about 20 or 30 years after the books of Matthew and Mark. Some scholars also believe that Luke wrote, or assisted by copying down dictations or manuscripts, some other writings now included in the New Testament. (Britannica ➚) The book of Luke may have been written as late as AD 60-85, though we don’t know where he wrote it. His sources were those who were eyewitnesses to the Savior. As mentioned above, he did not witness the Savior himself, but recorded events told to him by those who had.
The book of Luke was intended for a Gentile audience. This is indicated by Luke’s literary style and his use of Greek (Hellenistic) terminology. The books of Luke and Acts were addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1:3), the Greek meaning of which is ‘friend of God’ or ‘beloved of God’. Theophilus had evidently received previous information about the life and teachings of the Lord (Luke 1:4). Luke sought to teach him further of the Savior’s mission and ministry. Since physicians were often slaves, some also suspect that Luke was Theophilus’ personal physician and servant. The face that Theophilus was addressed as “the most excellent Theophilus” in Luke 1:3, indicates that Theophilus was in a ruling position in the Roman Empire (Commentaries – Chuck Smith ➚).
Things unique in the book of Luke, not included in the other Gospels, was the traditional Christmas story, Jesus at the temple when He was 12, the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, the ten lepers, the resurrected Lord walking with His disciples on the road to Emmaus, the prayerfulness of Jesus, and the shedding of Jesus’ blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. He also highlights the Lord’s interest in all people, not only the Jews, but also the Samaritans and the Gentiles. He emphasizes the Lord’s regard for women, his compassion for the downtrodden, and His concern for outcasts and sinners.
Luke is believed to have been arrested in Thebes, possibly flayed alive and crucified on an olive tree. (Bible Archaeology ➚) Others think that he died of old age at 84. His tomb is located in Thebes, at one time accompanied by his relics. Thebes is in central Greece, about 30 miles northwest of Athens. (Wikipedia-Thebes, Greece ➚)
Summary –
• From Antioch, Syria
• A well-educated physician by trade, but also a missionary
• Contemporary of, and companion to, Paul
• Was not an eyewitness of the Lord
• Gathered material for his writings from those who knew Jesus
• Wrote Luke and Acts ca. AD 60-85
• Wrote Luke and Acts ca. AD 60-85