Summary
The Saviour for all people, told with care by an eyewitness historian.
by Dr. David Silver4 min read
Read the Summaryby Dr. David Silver4 min read
The book of Luke is one of the synoptic gospels (including Matthew and Mark) which was a special biography of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Matthew and Luke traditionally used Mark as one of their sources. The date of writing is uncertain, but likely was in the 60’s A.D. Luke wrote to Theophilus to give him an orderly account so he would know the certainty of things he had been taught (1:3-4). Luke’s follow-up book for Theophilus was Acts (together they make up about one-fourth of the NT). Luke records twenty miracles, twenty-three parables, and eleven of Jesus’ fifteen prayers recorded. He wrote mostly to a Greek Gentile Christian audience and therefore explained some issues in more detail. Luke mentioned thirteen women not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, and brought attention to the poor, outcasts, and suffering. The book can be outlined as follows: Jesus’ birth, childhood, and preparation for ministry (1- 4:13); Jesus’ Galilee ministry (4:14- 9:50); on the way to Jerusalem (9:51- 19:27); in Jerusalem (19:28- 24:53).
Luke may have known Mary, Jesus’ mother, as he expounded upon the back stories of John the Baptist and Jesus in more detail than in other gospels. He also records in more detail the prayers, prophesies, and proclamations of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, shepherds, angels, Simeon, and Anna. After discussing the ministry of John the Baptist in 3:1-20, he lists Jesus’ genealogy beginning with his birth going all the way back to Adam (3:21-37). This line is from Mary, his mother, going back through David’s son Nathan. The Holy Spirit has a prominent role in this first section of the book, including leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil after his baptism (4:1-13).
His Galilee ministry began in his hometown of Nazareth (4:13-30). After Jesus told them during a Sabbath synagogue service that God reached out to Gentiles and no prophet is accepted in his hometown (4:24), the people responded in anger and wanted to throw Jesus over the cliff. Jesus taught with authority, cast out demons, and healed many. Jesus chose twelve apostles. Luke’s version of the beatitudes is in 6:20-26. Jesus taught the disciples to love their enemies (6: 27-36) and to pull the plank out of their own eyes before they attempt to remove specks from their brothers’ eyes (6:41-42). He praised the centurion’s faith because he took Jesus at his word (7:7-10). He raised the widow’s son during a funeral procession coming out of Nain (7:11-17) and Jairus’ (the synagogue ruler) daughter (8:53-56).
During his travels to Jerusalem, Jesus sent out seventy-two ahead of him to the places he was going to visit. They returned to him with joy that the evil spirits submitted to them in Jesus’ name. He told them to rejoice that their names were written in heaven (10:20). The parable of the Good Samaritan reinforced the message of loving one’s neighbor. Jesus commended Mary, the sister of Lazarus, for sitting at his feet and listening to him (not a cultural norm). He taught his disciples to pray (11:1-4). When invited to a Pharisee’s home for a meal, he pronounced six woes against the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He continued to heal, teach parables, and answer questions. As they approached Jerusalem, he predicted his death and resurrection (18:31-34).
After the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus cleared the temple. The leaders wanted to kill him (19:47-48). They questioned his authority and he spoke the parable of the tenants against them (20:9-19). They barraged him with questions like: Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (20:22); now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her (20:33). After his responses, no one dared to ask him any more questions (20:40).
Judas agreed to betray Jesus, and the last supper was celebrated during the Passover. Jesus predicted he would be betrayed and that Peter would deny him. Jesus was arrested and these things happened. Unlawful trials occurred, and Jesus was crucified. Jesus died quoting Scripture and was buried. Chapter 24 ends the book with his resurrection and ascension. He appeared to two of his followers on the road to Emmaus and explained from the Scriptures that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and rise again. Lastly, he appeared to all the disciples and told them to preach the gospel.
Structure
Chapters 1–4:13
An orderly account for Theophilus: the angel to Zechariah and to Mary, the songs of Mary and Simeon, the shepherds, a genealogy back to Adam, and the temptation.
Chapters 4:14–9:50
Rejected in Nazareth after reading Isaiah 61, the twelve chosen, the Sermon on the Plain, a widow’s son raised, and Peter’s confession.
Chapters 9:51–19:27
The longest section and the most distinctive: the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, teaching on prayer, the prodigal son, and the lost sheep and coin.
Chapters 19:28–24
The triumphal entry, the temple cleared, the Last Supper, the trials and crucifixion, the road to Emmaus, and the ascension.
Key Themes
01
Shepherds, Samaritans, tax collectors, women, the poor — Luke keeps naming the overlooked.
02
Luke records more of Jesus praying than any other gospel.
03
Active from the first chapter onward, and setting up the sequel.
04
Songs, rejoicing, and parties thrown when the lost are found.
05
Luke investigates everything and dates it against the wider world.
The Challenge We Face
Luke traces the genealogy past Abraham all the way to Adam, because this Saviour is for everyone, not one nation.
On the road to Emmaus the risen Jesus begins with Moses and all the Prophets and explains what was said about Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke tells you plainly what the whole Bible is about.
Apply Scripture
The gospel reaches people the respectable would overlook.
Jesus prayed before every major decision; it is worth copying.
Heaven throws a party when one person comes home.
Your faith rests on events that happened in traceable history.
All the Scriptures are about Him.
Study guides
You've seen the big picture. Now explore the book verse by verse with our practical Bible Study Guide.
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