Luke

Question: Luke

Answer: The discussion question “Luke” was given; you can see how it would help to have more information than one word, because this leaves open several different possibilities. For example: Do you want us to discuss Luke the man or the book of Luke? It would be better, in the future, to phrase your questions in a sentence, however, this time I will guess that you mean the writer Luke. Thanks, though, for the question.

The Holy Spirit is really the Author, however, He uses human instruments, “THE ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,” was written by the personality of Luke, and he was also author of the book of St. Luke. Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other individual. The “beloved physician” was a companion of Paul on his missionary adventures. We see in Acts 16 that Luke was not with Paul the whole time, but he interviewed those who were with him when he wasn’t.

“(Acts 16:10- The change here from “they” (vv. 6-8) to “we” indicates that at Troas Luke, the narrator, joined Paul’s company.) He was the first historian of the early years of the Church.The book is of highest importance because it is the only inspired account of the beginning and early work of the Church. It clarifies some of the historical references in the Pauline Epistles. Its place in the N.T. canon identifies it as the bridge from the Gospels to the Epistles.” (New Scofield Reference Edition of the Bible by C.I. Scofield, D.D.)

“The book of Acts, summarizing the growth of the Christian church in the first century, is universally acknowledged to have been written by Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, beloved physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. Like his Gospel, Luke addressed the book of Acts to the ‘most excellent Theophilus,” (Luke 1:3), and is, essentially, a continuing record of the things that “Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1) in the days of His flesh. Although Jesus had returned to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell, guide and empower His disciples as they scattered around the world preaching His saving gospel.

.Luke himself was present during a portion of Paul’s travels as described in Acts. This is indicated by his intermittent use of the “we” pronoun in his accounts-first in Acts 16:10, later in 20:5 and again in 27:1, three verses which mark the beginning of his three periods of association with Paul. Thus, he traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey from Troas to Philippi, then again on Paul’s third missionary journey from Philippi to Jerusalem, and finally from Caesarea to Rome. He was later able to be with Paul during his final imprisonment just before Paul’s death (II Timothy 4:11) but presumably had no opportunity to incorporate these later experiences into his book of Acts.” (The Defender’s Study Bible)

“.Luke was of Gentile origin. This is inferred from the fact that he is not reckoned among those ‘who are of the circumcision’ (Colossians 4:11; compare 4:14).” (Unger’s Bible Dictionary)

“The author was a Gentile convert, possibly of the church at Antioch, where Paul served with Barnabas at the beginning of his ministry (Acts 11:25, 26). The writer joined him later at Troas, as his use of the pronoun “we” indicates (Acts 16:10), accompanied him to Philippi, and presumably remained there while Paul visited Jerusalem. When Paul returned to Philippi, Luke went back with him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:5-21:15), where Paul was arrested and placed in protective custody. At the close of Paul’s detention in Caesarea, Luke accompanied him to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:15).

Paul speaks of Luke three times in his epistles, calling him ‘the beloved physician” [and fellow laborer] (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24), and indicating later that he was the last friend to remain with him in his second imprisonment (II Timothy 4:11). Paul’s statement that Luke was a physician is corroborated by the language Luke uses and by the interest he shows in disease and in healing.

Luke’s ministry was broad. Doctor, pastor, traveling evangelist, historian, and writer, he was tremendously versatile and active. He had a wide acquaintance with the Christian leaders of the first century, and he seems to have had important special connections also with Roman officials.

Tradition has preserved a few interesting legends about him, though they may not be authentic. According to these stories, Luke was an artist, who painted a picture of the Virgin Mary. He never married, and in his later years retired to Bithynia, where he died. Other legends say that he was martyred in Greece.” (The WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY)

“Luke was an educated man. He was a “beloved physician,” and yet a very humble man. He never mentions himself, either here or in the book of Acts…you will notice that whenever Luke was with the company, he says, we or us. When he remains behind as Paul and the rest move on, he changes to they and them. When Luke joins them again he reverts to we and us. He was with Paul to the end. In his last letter from Rome, Paul writes, ‘Only Luke is with me.’

He was a widely traveled man, highly-educated, and was of a scientific mind and temperament. In all likelihood he was a Gentile. He may have been of Jewish descent, but his name is a Gentile name, and he writes for the information of Gentiles.” (Addresses on Luke by H. A. Ironside, Litt.D.)

Some have suggested that this following reference by St. Paul is of St. Luke: “And we have sent with him the brother (Luke) whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind.” (2 Corinthians 8:18-19) What a wonderful praise of a life lived for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks for the question,

Gary T. Panell

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