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Luke, the ManLuke, the Man
• He is Grecian– His name is Grecian– His use of the Greek language is highly polished– He addresses his books to Theophilus, a Greek– He presents Jesus to the Grecian point of view– He quotes from the Septuagint
• He is the only Gentile writer of the N.T.• His writing appears in the 3rd & 5th books of
the N.T.; he himself appears first in Acts 16; his name appears first in Colossians 4
• Early tradition states that he was from Antioch• Refined, cultured, educated, linguistic,
wealthy
• He is Grecian– His name is Grecian– His use of the Greek language is highly polished– He addresses his books to Theophilus, a Greek– He presents Jesus to the Grecian point of view– He quotes from the Septuagint
• He is the only Gentile writer of the N.T.• His writing appears in the 3rd & 5th books of
the N.T.; he himself appears first in Acts 16; his name appears first in Colossians 4
• Early tradition states that he was from Antioch• Refined, cultured, educated, linguistic,
wealthy
Luke, the Beloved Physician Luke, the Beloved Physician (Col. 4:14)(Col. 4:14)• While their practice of medicine may have been
crude by our standards, it was not primitive– The advanced physicians of Egypt performed
intricate surgeries incl. boring through a skull to relieve pressure from concussion or tumor, lancing of boils, etc.
– Had general knowledge of herbal medicines for ailments, such as indigestion, constipation, sleeplessness, etc.
• Greek physicians practiced in the tradition of the noble Hippocrates
• It is believed that Luke may have been a native of Antioch and studied in their Medical School
• Doctors had a wide range of knowledge
• While their practice of medicine may have been crude by our standards, it was not primitive– The advanced physicians of Egypt performed
intricate surgeries incl. boring through a skull to relieve pressure from concussion or tumor, lancing of boils, etc.
– Had general knowledge of herbal medicines for ailments, such as indigestion, constipation, sleeplessness, etc.
• Greek physicians practiced in the tradition of the noble Hippocrates
• It is believed that Luke may have been a native of Antioch and studied in their Medical School
• Doctors had a wide range of knowledge
Luke, the Beloved Physician Luke, the Beloved Physician (Col. 4:14)(Col. 4:14)• Comes through in his writings:
– Of Peter’s mother-in-law—“afflicted with high fever” (38)– A man “full of leprosy” (5:12) ~~ ten “lepers” (17:12)– “weighed down” (21:34) – medical for distress/nausea– For paralytics, Luke always used medical term (5:18, 24)– Gadarene—wore no clothes, possessed long time (8:27)– The “flow of blood stanched” (8:44) – medical term– “look on my son” (9:38) – med exam patient’s condition– “…camel to go through the eye of the needle…” (18:25)
Needle = word for surgical needle; eye = hole in the body
– “touch…with fingers” (11:46) – dr’s examine by touching– “sweat became like great drops of blood” (22:44)– “cut off right ear…touched & healed him” (22:50-51)
• Comes through in his writings:– Of Peter’s mother-in-law—“afflicted with high fever” (38)– A man “full of leprosy” (5:12) ~~ ten “lepers” (17:12)– “weighed down” (21:34) – medical for distress/nausea– For paralytics, Luke always used medical term (5:18, 24)– Gadarene—wore no clothes, possessed long time (8:27)– The “flow of blood stanched” (8:44) – medical term– “look on my son” (9:38) – med exam patient’s condition– “…camel to go through the eye of the needle…” (18:25)
Needle = word for surgical needle; eye = hole in the body
– “touch…with fingers” (11:46) – dr’s examine by touching– “sweat became like great drops of blood” (22:44)– “cut off right ear…touched & healed him” (22:50-51)
Luke, the Beloved Physician Luke, the Beloved Physician (Col. 4:14)(Col. 4:14)• Surely he ministered to Paul’s medical needs
– Through all his shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, etc.
– Probably preserved & extended Paul’s tortured life
• According to Pliny (1st-century writer):– The practice of medicine was the most lucrative of
all the professions of his day.
• Luke sacrificed considerably to use his “occupation” as a physician for his vocation as a Christian minister—willing to suffer unrelenting hardships to serve God
• He was the first “medical missionary”
• Surely he ministered to Paul’s medical needs– Through all his shipwrecks, beatings,
imprisonments, etc.– Probably preserved & extended Paul’s tortured life
• According to Pliny (1st-century writer):– The practice of medicine was the most lucrative of
all the professions of his day.
• Luke sacrificed considerably to use his “occupation” as a physician for his vocation as a Christian minister—willing to suffer unrelenting hardships to serve God
• He was the first “medical missionary”
Luke, the Careful HistorianLuke, the Careful Historian
• Luke is only mentioned three times by name in N.T.
• Yet, he was trusted by God to write more of the N.T. than any other writer (depending on Hebrews)
• A Gentile writing to Gentile readers– He explains the simplest Jewish matters (ex. Feast of
Unleavened Bread also called Passover, 22:1)– Uses Greek names (Master, Calvary, etc.) instead of
Hebrew names (Rabbi, Golgotha, etc.)– He traces Jesus’ genealogy to Adam not Abraham– Presented Jesus, not as the Messiah or a servant, but
as the perfect Son of Man, the ideal man (appeal to Greeks)
– Depicts Christ as the Redeemer of the whole world – the gospel & salvation are for everyone (not just Jews)
• Luke is only mentioned three times by name in N.T.
• Yet, he was trusted by God to write more of the N.T. than any other writer (depending on Hebrews)
• A Gentile writing to Gentile readers– He explains the simplest Jewish matters (ex. Feast of
Unleavened Bread also called Passover, 22:1)– Uses Greek names (Master, Calvary, etc.) instead of
Hebrew names (Rabbi, Golgotha, etc.)– He traces Jesus’ genealogy to Adam not Abraham– Presented Jesus, not as the Messiah or a servant, but
as the perfect Son of Man, the ideal man (appeal to Greeks)
– Depicts Christ as the Redeemer of the whole world – the gospel & salvation are for everyone (not just Jews)
Luke, the Careful HistorianLuke, the Careful Historian
• He gave careful attention to detail and “order” – thus, he stated his purpose in writing in Luke 1:1-4
• He was a reliable historian, recording rulers, provinces and districts without mistake. He knew:– Cyprus, Achaia & Asia were senatorial provinces
governed by proconsuls (Acts 13:7; 18:12; 19:38)– The chief magistrates of Thessalonica were called
“politarchs” (Acts 17:6, 8)– The leading men of Ephesus were “Asiarchs” (Ac. 19:31)– 110 persons are named in Acts – “Every person is found
just where he ought to be…Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect to its trustworthiness” (William Ramsay, who spent 34 years proving the historical reliability of Luke).
• He gave careful attention to detail and “order” – thus, he stated his purpose in writing in Luke 1:1-4
• He was a reliable historian, recording rulers, provinces and districts without mistake. He knew:– Cyprus, Achaia & Asia were senatorial provinces
governed by proconsuls (Acts 13:7; 18:12; 19:38)– The chief magistrates of Thessalonica were called
“politarchs” (Acts 17:6, 8)– The leading men of Ephesus were “Asiarchs” (Ac. 19:31)– 110 persons are named in Acts – “Every person is found
just where he ought to be…Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect to its trustworthiness” (William Ramsay, who spent 34 years proving the historical reliability of Luke).
Luke, the Careful HistorianLuke, the Careful Historian
• He had a great command of the Greek language– The first four verses of the gospel of Luke are
considered to be the purest Greek in the N.T., written in perfect literary structure
– He has a larger vocabulary than any other N.T. writer, using nearly 800 words that occur nowhere else in N.T.
• Many have called the gospel of Luke, “The most beautiful book ever written.”
• Luke also provides a glimpse of inspiration:– Luke 1:1-4 – he was not an eyewitness– Acts 1:1-3 – he only witnessed some events in Acts– Nearly 1/3 of his gospel is peculiar to his gospel alone
• He had a great command of the Greek language– The first four verses of the gospel of Luke are
considered to be the purest Greek in the N.T., written in perfect literary structure
– He has a larger vocabulary than any other N.T. writer, using nearly 800 words that occur nowhere else in N.T.
• Many have called the gospel of Luke, “The most beautiful book ever written.”
• Luke also provides a glimpse of inspiration:– Luke 1:1-4 – he was not an eyewitness– Acts 1:1-3 – he only witnessed some events in Acts– Nearly 1/3 of his gospel is peculiar to his gospel alone
Luke, the Compassionate Luke, the Compassionate HumanitarianHumanitarian• We learn something of the tender-hearted
character of Luke in the way He depicts Jesus and the people-oriented style of his writing
• In drawing attention to the humanity of Jesus, he shows His true compassion
• We learn something of the tender-hearted character of Luke in the way He depicts Jesus and the people-oriented style of his writing
• In drawing attention to the humanity of Jesus, he shows His true compassion
Luke, the Compassionate Luke, the Compassionate HumanitarianHumanitarian• He shows concern for women:
– Elizabeth (1:5-25, 57-80)– Mary, the mother of Jesus (1:26-56; 2:1-52)– Anna (2:33-39)– A widow from Nain (7:11)– Sinful woman anoints Him (7:36-50)– Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna (8:1-3)– Woman with issue of blood (8:43-48)– Martha and Mary (10:38-42)– Woman spoke from a crowd (11:27)– An older lady bent over (13:11)– Woman looking for lost coin (15:8-10)– The persistent widow (18:1-8)– Widow who gave two mites (21:1-4)– Women who wept for Him (23:27-31)– Women at the cross (23:55-56)– Women at the tomb (24:1-11)
• He shows concern for women:– Elizabeth (1:5-25, 57-80)– Mary, the mother of Jesus (1:26-56; 2:1-52)– Anna (2:33-39)– A widow from Nain (7:11)– Sinful woman anoints Him (7:36-50)– Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna (8:1-3)– Woman with issue of blood (8:43-48)– Martha and Mary (10:38-42)– Woman spoke from a crowd (11:27)– An older lady bent over (13:11)– Woman looking for lost coin (15:8-10)– The persistent widow (18:1-8)– Widow who gave two mites (21:1-4)– Women who wept for Him (23:27-31)– Women at the cross (23:55-56)– Women at the tomb (24:1-11)
Luke, the Compassionate Luke, the Compassionate HumanitarianHumanitarian• He shows concern for children:
– Son of the widow of Nain (7:11-17)– Jairus’ daughter (8:40-56)– Demon-possessed boy (9:37-43)– Blesses little children (18:15-17)
• He shows concern for the poor:– The poor receive good things (1:53)– Gospel for the poor (4:18)– Blessings on the poor (6:20-23)– Give to those in need (6:30)– Gospel preached to the poor (7:18-22)– Invite poor to a feast (14:12-14)– Exaltation of poor Lazarus (16:19-31)
• He shows concern for children:– Son of the widow of Nain (7:11-17)– Jairus’ daughter (8:40-56)– Demon-possessed boy (9:37-43)– Blesses little children (18:15-17)
• He shows concern for the poor:– The poor receive good things (1:53)– Gospel for the poor (4:18)– Blessings on the poor (6:20-23)– Give to those in need (6:30)– Gospel preached to the poor (7:18-22)– Invite poor to a feast (14:12-14)– Exaltation of poor Lazarus (16:19-31)
Luke, the Compassionate Luke, the Compassionate HumanitarianHumanitarian• He shows concern for the social outcasts:
– Anointed by immoral sinner (7:36-50)– Samaritans (10:25-37; 17:11-19)– Poor, maimed, blind invited to a feast (14:7-24)– Tax collectors and sinners (15:1)– The prodigal son (15:11-32)– Ten lepers cleansed (17:11-19)– The Publican (18:13)– Zacchaeus (19:1-10)– The thief on the cross (23:39-43)
• Throughout the gospel of Luke is the spirit of mercy and an appeal to sinners.
• Luke also gives a great deal of emphasis to prayer & the prayer life of Jesus.
• He shows concern for the social outcasts:– Anointed by immoral sinner (7:36-50)– Samaritans (10:25-37; 17:11-19)– Poor, maimed, blind invited to a feast (14:7-24)– Tax collectors and sinners (15:1)– The prodigal son (15:11-32)– Ten lepers cleansed (17:11-19)– The Publican (18:13)– Zacchaeus (19:1-10)– The thief on the cross (23:39-43)
• Throughout the gospel of Luke is the spirit of mercy and an appeal to sinners.
• Luke also gives a great deal of emphasis to prayer & the prayer life of Jesus.
Luke, the Loyal CompanionLuke, the Loyal Companion
• All that we know about Luke relates to his involvement in spreading the gospel.– His books were written to convince & convert
sinners– He was a co-worker with Paul
• As a travel companion of Paul:– Luke is first mentioned (although not by name) in Acts 16:10,
when Paul’s company left Troas for Philippi, where it seems Luke stayed (16:40)
– He rejoins Paul near the end of his 3rd missionary journey when leaving Philippi (20:5-6)
– Traveled with Paul to Jerusalem (ch. 21)– Likely ministered to Paul during 2-year imprisonment in
Caesarea (24:27)– Accompanied Paul on sojourn to Rome & remained with him
during imprisonment there (ch. 27-28)
• All that we know about Luke relates to his involvement in spreading the gospel.– His books were written to convince & convert
sinners– He was a co-worker with Paul
• As a travel companion of Paul:– Luke is first mentioned (although not by name) in Acts 16:10,
when Paul’s company left Troas for Philippi, where it seems Luke stayed (16:40)
– He rejoins Paul near the end of his 3rd missionary journey when leaving Philippi (20:5-6)
– Traveled with Paul to Jerusalem (ch. 21)– Likely ministered to Paul during 2-year imprisonment in
Caesarea (24:27)– Accompanied Paul on sojourn to Rome & remained with him
during imprisonment there (ch. 27-28)
Luke, the Loyal CompanionLuke, the Loyal Companion
• During Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, Luke was with him:– “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet
you” (Col. 4:14).– “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,
greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers” (Phile. 23-24).
• During Paul’s second Roman imprisonment:– “all forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16)– “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (2 Tim. 4:10).
– “Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim. 4:11).
• During Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, Luke was with him:– “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet
you” (Col. 4:14).– “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,
greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers” (Phile. 23-24).
• During Paul’s second Roman imprisonment:– “all forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16)– “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (2 Tim. 4:10).
– “Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim. 4:11).
Luke, the Loyal CompanionLuke, the Loyal Companion
• Luke shared with Paul:– Tenacity– Enduring dedication– Unmoved devotion– Tender-hearted compassion– Unselfishness– Strength of faith– Strength of love– Deep commitment to Christ– Common goal of heavenly home– Whole-hearted determination to remain faithful to
God– Single-minded desire to take the gospel to everyone
• Luke shared with Paul:– Tenacity– Enduring dedication– Unmoved devotion– Tender-hearted compassion– Unselfishness– Strength of faith– Strength of love– Deep commitment to Christ– Common goal of heavenly home– Whole-hearted determination to remain faithful to
God– Single-minded desire to take the gospel to everyone
