Genre
See Introduction to the Gospels. Luke’s Gospel has a historical preface (1:1–4), recounts “the things that have been fulfilled among us” (v. 1), covers a historical topic, and mentions the types of sources and research approaches that historians used (vv. 1–3). Luke’s overlap with Mark and Matthew shows that he depends on prior information, which is what historians and biographers (as opposed to novelists) cared about. Because Luke’s Gospel and Acts belong together (Ac 1:1), and Acts is usually viewed as a historical monograph, the two volumes together seem to function as a work of ancient historiography. Some ancient multivolume histories had individual volumes about particular persons, however, and those volumes were biographic in character. Luke’s Gospel is a biography, like Matthew, Mark and John, but in the wide range of ancient biographic works Luke’s Gospel is written more in keeping with the rules of Greek historiography than are, say, Matthew or John.
Authorship
When ancient historical writings used the first person (“I” or “we”), the writers nearly always were claiming to have participated personally. The author of Luke-Acts plays down his own presence rather than emphasizing it, but includes himself among the group of Paul’s companions from Troas to Philippi (Ac 16:10–17), and then years later from Philippi to Judea and on to Rome (20:5–28:16). Among the traveling companions that Paul mentions in his letters, one who accompanied him to Rome yet is not named in the third person in Acts is Luke the physician (Col 4:14; Phm 24). Contrary to what some have argued, Luke’s language does not demonstrate that he was a physician; contrary to what some others have assumed, however, his language is quite consistent with that view. Early Christian tradition was also unanimous that Luke was the author of Acts and of the Gospel that now bears Luke’s name. Further, early Christians who credited Luke as the author had little reason to choose Luke, who was not a major figure, if they lacked concrete tradition that he was the author. When scholars examine sources from the Greco-Roman world, they usually start with external evidence (in this case, tradition in second-century Christian writers) and then check internal evidence. The tradition of Luke’s authorship passes both tests.
Provenance and Date
Given Luke’s special interest (in his second volume, Acts) in the northern Aegean region—as well as perhaps his own lengthy sojourn in Philippi (compare Ac 16:10–17 with Ac 20:5–6)—the center of Luke’s target audience may be Macedonia, with a wider circulation in the Aegean region as a whole (including Greece and western Asia Minor). This is, however, uncertain. A range of dates has been proposed, from as early as the closing scene of Acts (perhaps AD 62) to the early second century. Some evidence favors the earlier decades of this range. First, a physician who traveled with Paul to Philippi before AD 50 (see Authorship, above) likelier than not wrote earlier in the range rather than later. Moreover, one theme in the second half of the book of Acts is to defend Paul against the charge of having started riots—the capital charge of sedition (Ac 24:5). This is important because Paul was the most prominent leader of the mission to the Gentiles (Gal 2:8), so charges against him would bring shame on all the churches in the Diaspora (cf. shame about his chains in 2Ti 1:16). Luke narrates many riots associated with Paul, showing that he was not at fault in any of these cases. Yet if Luke wants to defend Paul, why even mention the riots unless they were an issue? Luke probably writes at a time when Paul’s legacy remains in question and strong memories remain of the riots in various cities where the book of Acts might travel. It is therefore likely that Luke-Acts dates to a time soon after the final events narrated in Acts. This would allow a time in the 60s (when Acts closes) or 70s. Scholars who believe that Luke has in mind the traumatic conquest of Jerusalem (see Lk 19:43–44; 21:6, 24) naturally date Luke-Acts sometime after (or occasionally just before) AD 70. Luke, who adapts Mark’s grammar for a somewhat more educated Greek audience, also writes after Mark. ◆
Quick Glance
Author:
Luke, a Gentile physician and missionary companion of Paul
Audience:
Addressed to Theophilus, but intended for all believers
Date:
Between the 60s and the 80s AD
Theme:
Luke presents Jesus as the Messiah and Lord whose life, death and resurrection make salvation available to all people everywhere.