THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Author: Luke (the physician). At a later time, he also wrote Acts as a sequel to this Gospel.
Date written: Approximately A.D. 58 to 60
OT quotes: Approximately 80
Time period: From Adam to after Jesus ascended to heaven
For/to: Addressed to Theophilus, perhaps a community leader or government or Roman official; perhaps written with the Greek’s mentality in view
Where written: Unknown; some believe it could be Caesarea or Rome
Statistics: 24 chapters; 1151 verses; 25,944 words
The author. He has been called the "physician" and a fellow labourer of the apostle Paul. He was with Paul during at least part of his second missionary journey-ref Acts 16:10. Note the word "we." Col 4:14 shows Luke with Paul. Again, Luke is with Paul in 2 Tim 4:11. Many more passages could be used. Luke wrote to a Gentile (Theophilus), as a friend writing to a friend. He also wrote the Acts of the Apostles and may have been from the church of Antioch.
About this Gospel. It has slightly more verses and words than Matthew’s Gospel but less chapters. Emphasis seems to be on the humanity of Christ. He is the Son of Man that had been rejected by Israel. As a result, Jesus was also preached to the Gentiles. Jesus is presented as the universal Saviour—the Saviour of the poor and rich, male and female, Jew and Gentile, slave and free. The widow's son being raised at Nain, the rich man and Lazarus, the parables of the lost coin, the prodigal son, the importunate friend, the unjust steward, the good Samaritan, and the praying Pharisee and publican are only recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Luke’s Gospel presents more information about the earthly life of Jesus than do the other Gospels.