The Gospel of Luke: An Introduction
“The Bucket & The Thimble” is a blog post written by the Elders of Redeeming Life Church in an effort to share bonus material pertinent to this week’s sermon.
The Gospel of Luke: Introduction
As we begin our study of the book of Luke, much of the background material simply could not fit into our Sunday morning service. The elders have expressed a desire to provide a place where important but time-limited material from sermons can still be shared with the church. Our hope is that this blog becomes a resource for deeper study and continued encouragement as we walk through Scripture together.
The Gospel of Luke is one of the most fascinating books in the New Testament—and one of the most substantial. By sheer word count, Luke is the longest Gospel, and when combined with its companion volume, Acts, Luke ends up writing more of the New Testament than anyone else, including Paul.
History and Setting
Though the Gospel of Luke is formally anonymous (no author is named within the text), the early church and modern scholarship overwhelmingly agree that it was written by Luke, “the beloved physician” mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:14. The shared dedication to Theophilus strongly links Luke and Acts as a two-volume work from the same author.
Luke likely wrote between A.D. 58–60, offering a clear and orderly defense of the Christian faith for Theophilus, who appears to have already received some instruction in the gospel. We favor this earlier dating because Luke does not mention the destruction of Jerusalem and shows a tone toward the Roman Empire that fits better before A.D. 70 and before Nero’s severe persecution of Christians.
Luke’s introduction shows that he was aware of previously written accounts of Jesus’ life, and his Gospel reflects significant dependence on Mark (as does Matthew).
Who Was Theophilus?
The identity of Theophilus has been debated, but Luke’s preface suggests that he was a person of high status (“most excellent Theophilus”), someone who had received initial teaching about Jesus. Scholars differ on whether he was:
a patron financially supporting Luke’s writing,
a curious unbeliever seeking further clarity,
or a new convert desiring deeper instruction.
Regardless, Luke’s purpose is unmistakable: to provide assurance about the truth of the gospel Theophilus had heard (Luke 1:4).
The Distinctives of Luke
Luke’s Gospel often resonates with modern Western readers because Luke himself was a Gentile and approaches history with clarity, order, and careful detail. Compared to Mark’s fast-paced and urgent feel, Luke shows Jesus moving deliberately toward His mission.
One of Luke’s most distinctive features is the long “travel narrative,” the journey toward Jerusalem, which occupies roughly 35% of the book. Throughout this section, Luke emphasizes that the gospel is good news for the unexpected and overlooked. He draws attention to:
Israel
women
the poor
social outsiders
racially mixed groups like the Samaritans
Luke highlights the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom and the surprising reach of God’s mercy.
Luke begins uniquely with paired birth narratives—John the Baptist and Jesus—recalling Old Testament patterns where miraculous births signal God’s dramatic intervention in redemptive history.
Another recurring theme is Jesus’ authority over the sea, which symbolized chaos in the Old Testament. Luke repeatedly shows that Jesus rules even over the chaotic and uncontrollable, further underscoring His divine identity.
Luke also frames discipleship through Jesus’ warnings and parables, inviting readers not merely to admire Jesus but to follow Him.
Luke in Biblical Theology
One commentator writes that “Luke is symphonic.” Rather than interrupting his narrative with explicit explanations, Luke weaves the Old Testament into the story through subtle allusions, themes, and patterns. Two major themes stand out:
1. The Jubilee
Luke frequently draws on the imagery of Israel’s Jubilee—the release of captives and the restoration of freedom. Luke shows that Jesus fulfills the Jubilee, not as a once-every-generation event, but as the ultimate and final liberation for God’s people (Luke 4:18–19).
2. The Temple
Luke begins and ends in the temple, signaling that Jesus brings the true restoration of God’s presence among His people. The temple originally pointed back to Eden—a place where God dwelled with humanity. It served as a temporary bridge in a fallen world.
Luke shows that Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of this hope. In Him, God’s presence returns, echoing the promise of Haggai 2:1–9 that a coming temple would surpass even Solomon’s in glory. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God again dwells with His people and restores them to Himself.
Conclusion
As we continue studying Luke together, take encouragement from the careful detail and theological richness of this Gospel. Be assured of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. Luke writes so that you may know with certainty that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God has made to His people.
May this study deepen your confidence in Christ as we journey together through the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Resources:
The Four Gospels- Patrick Schreiner